Latest news with #MegDonnelly
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Mom, stop talking': I watched 'Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires' with my tween critic. Here's our honest review.
Lesson learned: Interrupting your tween during this Disney movie could result in shushes and eye Yahoo readers, zombies, vampires and aliens. I'm Suzy Byrne, and I've been covering entertainment in this space for over a decade. I'll be the first to tell you I'm no hardcore cinema buff. Since I had a child, though, I've made it a point to see as many kid-friendly movies as possible. Maybe it's because I'm a big kid ✔ and love a cheerful ending ✔. But also, as a busy working parent, is there greater joy than getting two hours to turn off your phone and put up your feet while your child is fully entertained?! So that's what this is — one entertainment reporter + her 10-year-old child + friends seeing family-friendly fare, indulging in film-themed treats and replying all to you about the experience. Welcome to kids' movie club. Now playing: 'Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires' Sometimes the best movie dates are cozy ones at home with family — though my daughter, who was trying to watch Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires with zero interruptions, may disagree. Oh, to be a tween trying to get your Addison and Zed fix while your parents are asking annoying questions. I thought — but didn't dare say for fear of being shushed — 'Someday, someday,' you'll get to watch in silence, kiddo. There was a lot of tween anticipation over Zombies 4, the latest installment in the Disney Channel juggernaut that began in 2018, back when its stars Meg Donnelly and Milo Manheim were teens themselves. Now in their mid-20s and serving as executive producers on this movie, the duo, who play Addison and Zed, passes the torch to two new star-crossed vampires from rival factions: Nova (Freya Skye), the sharp, budding leader of the vampire/human hybrid daywalkers, and Victor (Malachi Barton), the charming nephew of the Vampire Eldress. The franchise's signature blend of singing, dancing, supernatural powers, romantic tension and heartfelt messaging continues. The plot 🎬 The story starts with Zed and Addison wrapping up their first year at Mountain College. They're still in a relationship but on different paths — he's chasing football glory while she's hoping to be cheer captain. Before going to their respective summer camps, they go on a road trip, along with friends Eliza (Kylee Russell) and Willa (Chandler Kinney). Their car flips — blame a force field — and when they strike out to find help, they find themselves caught between two feuding groups: the daywalkers of Sunnyside and vampires of Shadyside. Zed bonds with daywalker Nova, after she initially takes him to the ground with an aerobatic flip-kick. Addison wins over Victor — ('I'm not a daywalker… I'm a cheerleader!' the blonde tells him) — and he uses his powers to free her from the windstorm the vampires put her in. With Zed coaching one side and Addison the other, they work to unite the sworn enemies — and their 'lightstone' and 'darkstone' moonstones (aka crystals that connect all monsters). Our viewing party 🍿 It was a vacation house viewing party. My daughter and I commandeered the only TV, smack in the middle of the living room, to watch. Joining us on the couch was my mostly disinterested husband, who looked up from his phone from time to time, my brother–in-law passing through the room to laugh at us and two very disinterested cats. Our film recap in emojis 🧟♂️🧟♀️🐺👱🏻♀️/👽🎶🚗💥🏖️🌌🤺😑🎶➡️👱🏻♀️/🧛♀️➕🧛🏻🟰👎🏻❤️🥭😑➡️👱🏻♀️/🧛♀️🧛🏻👱🏻♀️/👽🧟♂️🤲🏻🎶🧩💎☀️➕💎🌙⚡️➡️🕊️🎶🥭💗 The familiar 🔁 The original Seabrook crew — zombies, an alien/human hybrid and a werewolf — who are loved by young audiences, are back to help transition the long-running story to the new, younger cast. Also returning is Zed's comedic flair, heroine Addison's optimism and her A+ hair game. The Zombies signature song and dance mix, ranging from rap to tap, including a sentimental reprise of franchise fave 'Someday,' comes at a pivotal moment. The messaging of the importance of two opposing groups uniting for the greater good is also a through line. Yes, it's a bit saccharine sweet and a little on the nose, but it's never a bad reminder. So is the reminder to prioritize the people you love most, which Zed and Addison took to heart. The new 🆕 The two new factions — led by the Romeo-and-Juliet-like Victor and Nova — are warring over blood fruit. Their well-choreographed dance sequences were transfixing to watch and the new songs fit the franchise vibe just right. .. One song, 'Possible,' is about passing the torch, and it's clear that Zombies 5 — which is likely to follow due to early ratings success, according to FlixPatrol — will see Donnelly and Manheim step back. Also notable: The film was shot in New Zealand, giving it a fresh backdrop and some distance from Seabrook. Mid-movie commentary from my daughter 🧒🏻 Addison and Zed: 'I love them.' Her hair, which is blue-tipped this go-round: 'So pretty.' The college ensemble dance number: 'They definitely worked more than one day on this.' Nova's fire wardrobe: 'I want a top like that.' Nova's fighting skills: 'She's taking out all those guys in a dress.' The room with puzzles that Nova and Victor go in: 'That's my favorite set. Next year, I want to have my birthday party at an escape room.' Nova's angry, overprotective dad: 'Typical movie girl dad.' Shrimpy having a cameo in a Mountain College shirt: 'SHRIMPY!' Mid-movie commentary from me 👩🏻 I felt some Grease vibes with Nova and Victor — à la Danny and Sandy, especially when they cut back and forth to them wistfully singing like in 'Summer Nights'. I also thought Nova looked like a young Hilary Duff. Number of times the adults got shushed 🤫 Five — mostly for 'asking too many questions.' I'll admit it: I was annoying at the start, only having seen snippets of previous Zombies movies, and trying to figure out who all the different dance troupes are. Just when you think you get it down, you realize you're still off the mark. ('So Addison's a human?' 'No, she's an alien/human.') My husband got more shushes than I did, including when he interrupted Nova and Victor's song and dance number duet to quip, 'This is exactly what your mom and I were like before you were born.' He got an extended shush. Note: Any story that includes 'before you were born...' is an automatic tween eye roll trigger. My brother-in-law got more of a pass for breaking out over-the-top dance moves each time he shimmied through the living room. My daughter tried to ignore him, though he would not be deterred from doing his best sprinkler and lawn mower. (Look those up, kids.) Appropriateness check 🎯 Totally Disney-friendly for a tween audience. Mild intensity (fangs, a few fight scenes and a car flips with no injuries) with some PG romance (kisses, hand-holding). Funniest line 🤣 'Save the marshmallows' — which was said during the middle of a car crash. Teaser at the end 🌊 Yes. Poor Nova and Victor couldn't have a moment of peace. They were sharing a post-drama hug when a tornado rose from the ocean. My daughter's theory? Mermaids (as teased in Zombies 3) or sirens will be added to the mix in film five. The internet has many other theories, including a Zombies and Descendants crossover, which would fit with the 'Worlds Collide' concert tour members of both movie casts are on this summer. Parent pain and suffering scale ⚖️ Had my husband not been able to scroll through his phone to look at sports scores, his suffering would have been HIGH. Zombies, werewolves, aliens, vampires: It's like the writers put every supernatural element in a script and hit blend, before sprinkling in teen angst and forbidden love and oh, let's make it a musical! It was too much and not enough at the same time, but when your kid is deliriously happy, does anything else matter? My daughter's parting thought 💬 As the credits rolled at 9 p.m., I got the old: 'Now can we watch them all in order, starting with the first one?' I replied, 'Not tonight.' But let's be honest — a full Zombies marathon is likely in our future. There are worse ways to spend a summer night, surrounded by people you love, even if they interrupt you … and definitely can't dance like Zed and Addison. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Zombies 4' Stars Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly Reflect on Their 9-Year Friendship: ‘We've Grown So Much' (Exclusive)
NEED TO KNOW Zombies stars Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly dished on how they have both grown 'so much' in the nearly 10 years since they first met while speaking exclusively to PEOPLE The friends and costars, both 24, are currently starring in Disney Channel's Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires The pair also discussed their experience serving as first-time executive producers on the new movieMilo Manheim and Meg Donnelly are here for each other — and the changes life brings to their friendship. The Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires stars recently sat down with PEOPLE to discuss the latest installment in their Disney Channel franchise, and also dished on how they have evolved as people in the near-decade since they first met. 'I think that Meg has grown a lot more confident throughout these years,' Manheim, 24 told PEOPLE. 'I was gonna say your confidence!' Donnelly, 24, agreed. 'We were really trying to fit in, you know, the first movie. And then I think [at] this point, both of us are really kind of setting the vibe [on set]. We've taken that responsibility, and I think we've set a pretty good vibe on set,' Manheim added. 'We've grown so much since then. We met when we were like 16,' Donnelly chimed in, adding, 'It's been almost 10 years, so that's been like all the crazy milestones of a young person's life.' is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! In addition to starring in the musical horror movies, the pair has taken on a new role in the last film: executive producers. 'I mean, I definitely felt like we had a lot more input in basically every aspect of making this movie,' Manheim said while reflecting on the pre-production and production processes. 'I will say that there wasn't — for me — too many struggles. I feel like the things that we really hoped for ended up happening. Which was really great,' he added. 'The other producers were such a great team, and they know that this [was] kind of like our first go at this, so they were super helpful." The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! He continued, 'I think, truthfully, we really understand this franchise. We know what's important to be heard and what [...] people want to see. So I think that we acted as, like, a really good bridge between the creative team and the production side of things.' For her part, Donnelly said it was 'really cool being a part of the wardrobe and the script [...]. Also advocating for the [younger actors] when they wanted to speak up about something.' She added, 'I think the hardest thing for me, though, was the casting probably. Because being on the other side — it's really hard. 'Cuz everyone who auditioned was so, so good.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'It was [also] good as, like, an actor to realize, 'Oh, everyone is so talented and so deserving.' It's just a matter of, like, whose essence works the best in this case [and] scenario,' she reflected. Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires is currently available for streaming on Disney+. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Zombies 4' star Sway Bhatia brought out her alter ego of a sassy vampire for hit Disney movie
Disney's popular Zombies franchise has continued with the success of Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires (streaming on Disney+), with stars including Milo Manheim, Meg Donnelly, Freya Skye, Malachi Barton and Chandler Kinney. But a notable cast member that joined Zombies 4 is the talented Sway Bhatia, who previously played Sophie Roy, daughter to Jeremy Strong's character Kendall, in Succession, in addition starring in The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers. Bhatia's Zombies 4 character Vera takes to the screen with force. She's sassy, unapologetically her vampire self, and that's something that really appealed to the actor. "I loved how strong-willed she was and how much being a vampire meant to her," Bhatia told Yahoo. "Especially as a young South Asian woman, I think it's so important to show strong female characters in films. So I'm really grateful that both me and Freya's characters were portrayed as that, even Meg and Chandler and Kylee [Russell] are such strong female characters, and I love how confident and independent they are." "I hope people can ... relate to everything that we go through and how we deal with our conflicts. But Vera was a lot of fun to play in that way. I've never played a vampire before, so that was very different for me, for sure, but she was a lot of fun. ... I got to bring out my inner, I guess my alter ego of like sassiness and confidence." Milo Manheim 'predicted' Sway Bhatia's future But being part of the Zombies franchise is a tall order. There's singing, dancing, and of course in Bhatia's case, the acting challenge of transforming into a vampire. "You have to fully use your imagination on how this vampire would be in real life," she said. "So I think it's a lot of fun bringing those characters to life." Bhatia also has a particularly fun moment when she gets to "fang out" with Willa (Chandler Kinney), which is particularly fun to watch. "Especially for me, being a fan of the franchise, that scene with Chandler was one of the coolest moments for me on set ever," she said. "Watching her in the second and third movie was so cool for me, getting to see a woman of colour on screen just be so powerful and such a strong werewolf." "So getting to watch her fang out in front of me and then having to fang out back to her was such a cool moment. And it looked really cool with the SFX added, because doing it without it definitely felt a little bit weird. But I had her there to comfort me." While Bhatia had been a fan of the Zombies films before Zombies 4, Manheim actually predicted her future when she went to the premiere for Prom Pact. When Bhatia met Manheim, he said he would see her in Zombies 4, before the film was even confirmed. Fast forward and the two actors did in fact star alongside each other in the movie. "That was insane. I still think about that all the time," Bhatia said. "I took it as a complete joke, ... and then a year or two later, when I found out I booked it, he texted me because the casting director gave him my number, and he was like, 'Is it true that I told you you were going to be in Zombies 4?' ... Yes Milo, you predicted my future." "So I've always kept an eye out for him, because he freaked me out ever since he did that, but I'm so grateful to have him in my life as a friend now." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Swayam Ranjeet Bhatia (Sway) (@sway_bhatia) Being mentored by 'Succession' cast Before Zombies 4, Bhatia had a number of impressive projects under her belt, with the actor specifically describing her time on Succession as an "unreal" experience. "It was nothing like anything that I've ever experienced as an actor," Bhatia said. "I think getting to work with such an incredibly talented cast and crew was such a blessing, and they had been mentors from the start." "A lot of them didn't have kids when the show started, so I was kind of their first kid before they all ended up having kids. ... Even if I wasn't on set so much, they were all so supportive and they all had a parental instinct with us, because there were only two kids on the entire show, and you know how intense the material is of the show. So they would always have to remind us after every take to never repeat what they're saying, because I was eight years old on the set and there were F-bombs flying everywhere." Specifically when it came to working with Jeremy Strong, who played her father on Succession, Strong had some words of caution for the young actors playing his children. "With Jeremy's method acting, every time we wrapped he would remind us to never do what he does, because he would smoke, drink, and then he would like drown in a pool," Bhatia said. "So he was like, 'Please don't ever repeat anything that Kendall does.'" While Succession was a huge hit, when Bhatia moved into The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers, it was a particularly "special project" for her. "It was sort of my first time having a significant role in a project, and I feel like I grew a lot as an artist, not just as an actor, on that set," Bhatia said. "I learned a lot about what being on a set was really like in the terms of chemistry of actors and chemistry of crew, and what it was like being on set every day for intense hours, and how to play hockey and act at the same time." "But I loved getting to play my character, because I think she didn't fall into any sort of crazy stereotype. She sort of pushed the boundaries of what someone that looks like me can tell story-wise on a set. And I loved how strong willed she was, just like Vera in that sense, and it was just a great experience for me. I learned a lot from the writers and the producers and the directors." While Bhatia has had significant success on screen, she's also working to hone her skills behind the camera, including attending New York University (NYU). "I knew I wanted to do filmmaking and I knew that NYU was the number one film school in the country, and it had such a unique program," she shared."They really want to make you a wholesome filmmaker in the sense of learning every single part of a film set. And to me, that's so interesting. "You can ask literally every Disney employee that I've worked with, I'm the kind of person that wants to know what everyone is doing. ... I learned from so many incredible filmmakers, and I get to bring that knowledge with me to NYU." Bhatia shared that she has two movies in the works right now, taking on a producer role, and she's hoping to move into a project where she can be the director or writer in the future. "My goal is to just sort of grow as an artist and test my limits as an artist," she said. "I'm really excited to kind of just find my voice as an artist, and see how people can resonate with my work, and if people can enjoy the stories that I want to tell."
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
‘Zombies 4' star Milo Manheim on passing the torch to a new cast
Manheim and co-star Meg Donnelly spoke about the future of the franchise on 'GMA.' July 11, 2025
Buzz Feed
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly Play Celebrity Guess Who?
Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly of Zombies 4 play a hilarious game of Celebrity Guess Who—with a board populated by their celebrity friends and co-stars. Chaos ensues! #Zombies4 #MiloManheim #MegDonnelly
