Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead features a number of clues throughout the film that the flesh-eating zombies infesting Las Vegas are actually the result of an alien invasion. From the very beginning of the movie, Snyder weaves in references and visual allusions to a larger sci-fi storyline, which may be continued and expounded upon in future installments in the franchise. But are the Army of the Dead zombies really aliens?
Army of the Dead spends a significant amount of time explaining the nature and behavior of the zombies, but far less on their actual origin. The distinction between Alphas and Shamblers, the odd societal behavior of the undead, and their ability to communicate on a basic level with humans are all explored in the film. Where Zeus, the zombie who escapes in the film’s opening scene, actually came from, however, remains a mystery.
Throughout the movie, Snyder drops a number of hints that the zombies might be extraterrestrial in origin. Nothing is officially confirmed, and all those clues could just be either intentional misdirection or homage to the sci-fi classics of the past. But with multiple other Army of the Dead projects on the way to Netflix in the near future, it would make a lot of sense for the film to set up a bigger origin story to be explored later. Here’s all the evidence that the zombies in Army of the Dead are actually aliens.
The Zombies Escape From Area 51
The biggest and most obviously clue to the zombies’ potential alien origin is where Zeus comes from – Area 51. In Army of the Dead’s opening scene, two soldiers are heard discussing the possibility that the cargo they’re transporting could be an alien. That theory is interrupted by the crash that sets Zeus free, cutting off the soldiers from actually saying the word out loud. By leaving the theory hanging in this way, it’s almost as if Snyder is inviting the audience to believe that the zombies are aliens.
Of course, by itself, Army of the Dead's Area 51 connection doesn’t necessarily prove extraterrestrial involvement. Though the location is one of the most famous hubs of alien fiction and real-life conspiracy theories in the world, not enough has been shown of this version of Area 51 to prove that Zeus is an alien. Before even broaching that possibility, the soldiers in the convoy offer up some other wild possibilities for what they could be transporting, including various mythical artifacts like the Holy Grail. That suggests that, in this universe, Area 51 is more of a catch-all for conspiracy theories, rather than strictly a home for alien research. Therefore, Zeus could easily be terrestrial, despite being held in the base.
Army Of The Dead Has Multiple UFOs
The opening scene of Army of the Dead features two unidentified flying objects in the sky over Nevada, seen in the picture above. Again, from the very beginning, this curious visual choice plants the idea that the zombies the audience is about to see are in fact from outer space. It’s possible the UFOs are nothing more than a fun Easter egg for eagle-eyed viewers, but could they have a greater narrative purpose?
If, hypothetically, Zeus is either an alien or was transformed by some kind of alien virus, it would make sense for the aliens who sent/created him to keep tabs on his whereabouts. If he was sent to help conquer the planet, he might be watched closely. If Zeus’s existence on Earth was an accident, that would also necessitate observation. So while the UFOs in Army of the Dead’s opening sequence don’t necessarily prove extraterrestrial involvement in the plot, they would fit right in.
Army Of The Dead’s Robot Zombies Could Be Alien
Army of the Dead has robot zombies. They’re visible in a few different spots, most notably during the casino escape when a zombie is shot in the head and, rather than bleeding, short circuits and mechanically falls to the ground (see above). It’s a baffling inclusion, and one that receives no explanation in the film. However, there are two probable reasons for the robot zombies’ presence. The first is that the robots were sent by the U.S. government to spy on and learn more about the zombies themselves. Given the secret plan to use zombies as biological weapons that's revealed later in the film, that would make a lot of sense.
The other likely explanation is that the robot zombies are, well, aliens. The technology seems pretty advanced for modern-day Earth, suggesting that it could have come from another planet entirely. If the zombie virus truly was sent by extraterrestrials, either intentionally or by accident, they’d likely want to keep a close eye on the aftereffects.
Army Of The Dead’s Zombies Can Breed
There’s a zombie baby in Army of the Dead, and while that doesn’t necessarily prove any alien connection, it does beg questions about the actual biology and purpose of the undead. Zeus seems fixated on his child throughout the film, and while that may be just a paternal instinct, it could signify something bigger. If the aliens are indeed part of an alien invasion of Earth, breeding new powerful Alphas like Zeus would be incredibly important. The Alphas are clearly different from the ordinary zombies in numerous ways, including their enhanced intelligence, physical abilities, and mysterious blue blood. The fact that they alone possess both the ability and desire to breed could just be animalistic, but it could also be evidence that the zombies are part of a larger scheme. Plus, when the unborn fetus is revealed (rather graphically) on screen, it's an otherworldly bluish-purple color - similar to the blood of the other Alphas, but also a bit different. Would the baby have been another Alpha zombie, or might it have become something else entirely?
Alien Zombies Are A Classic Genre Trope
Zack Snyder is nothing if not a fan of homages, and Army of the Dead is full of references. From classic zombie movies to other horror films like Aliens, the film is packed with nods to the greats of the past. Understanding how much appreciation the director has for the classics, the alien zombie theory actually begins to make a lot more sense.
In the famous/infamous 1957 sci-fi movie Plan 9 from Outer Space, alien invaders resurrect the dead and unleash them upon humanity. That plot point is repeated in George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead, where it’s suggested that the zombie infection is caused by a Venus space probe. Snyder is clearly familiar with these zombie tropes (especially Romero’s, since he remade the director’s Dawn of the Dead in 2004), which means that all the alien clues in Army of the Dead are very intentional. Snyder has even discussed the alien theory at length in interviews, though he hasn’t offered any single explanation for how the story all fits together. For that, fans will have to wait for the future installments of the Army of the Dead universe.