Towards the beginning and at the end of the project’s shootout, when Roger and Peter have to shoot the remaining zombies in the basement, Roger asks, “Why do these people keep them here?” Peter responds, “They still believe there’s respect in dying.” That is in full contrast to the end of the movie, where the motorcycle gang ravages the mall, letting all the zombies in and killing themselves by making a mockery of the zombies. Thus not following these new norms of society by staying away from the zombies and shooting them in the head (and of course, don’t pie them in the face, ride motorcycles, or strap yourself to a pulse monitor with zeds nearby). Even though this biker gang’s demise is seen in the movie itself, the new law of the land was the fact that there wasn’t any law, so groups of people like that could exist in the first place.

Now, the biker gang might support the current status quo because of the lawless land they found themselves in and the new ability to pillage, but any normal, sane person would not like it. They have to follow these new customs to survive, yes, but I would hesitate to say they like the current status quo. That’s the only part of Campbell’s definition I don’t think this movie follows.

In all other aspects, though, I think it fits rather well. In the beginning, we are getting a glimpse into the breaking down of social order, law, and customs that a society like ours enjoys. And by the end, we see the new traditions, rules, and customs have taken shape and what will happen to us if we don’t follow these new customs (zombie food). It also shows that those in charge are strong-willed and smart (the main characters escaping to the mall) and the late biker gang. Perhaps, the end shows us that the best way to survive in this new horrific world is to keep moving, as Francine and Peter barely make it out alive and have to take the helicopter to a new unknown location.