Is The Lazarus Effect Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, The Lazarus Effect is likely a skip if you enjoy Horror movies.
It features a runtime of 83 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to mature audiences.

Verdict:The Lazarus Effect is a confirmed FLOP based on our analysis of audience ratings and box office momentum.
With a rating of 5.3/10, it has delivered a mixed experience for fans of the Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller genre.
Answer: Maybe not, The Lazarus Effect is likely a skip if you enjoy Horror movies.
It features a runtime of 83 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to mature audiences.
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2015, The Lazarus Effect emerges as a significant entry in the Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Medical researcher Frank, his fiancee Zoe and their team have achieved the impossible: they have found a way to revive the dead. Unlike standard genre fare, The Lazarus Effect attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
The success of any Horror is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Lazarus Effect features a noteworthy lineup led by Mark Duplass . Supported by the likes of Olivia Wilde and Donald Glover , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Lazarus Effect (2015) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.3/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Quick Plot Summary: The Lazarus Effect is a Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller film that crafts an atmosphere of dread and suspense, using psychological terror and visual scares. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
The horror unfolds through carefully crafted atmosphere and escalating dread. Medical researcher Frank, his fiancee Zoe and their team have achieved the impossible: they have found a way to revive the dead. After a successful, but unsanctioned, experiment on a lifeless animal, they are ready to make their work public. However, when their dean learns what they've done, he shuts them down. Zoe is killed during an attempt to recreate the experiment, leading Frank to test the process on her. Zoe is revived -- but something evil is within her. The film uses both psychological terror and visceral scares, building tension through what's unseen as much as what's shown. The pacing allows for breathing room between scares, making each frightening moment more effective.
Ending Breakdown: The Lazarus Effect attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to horror resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
The final moments of The Lazarus Effect reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Consider Watching If:
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $3.3M |
| Worldwide Gross | $64.1M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
The estimated production budget for The Lazarus Effect is $3.3M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.










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YouTubeAnalyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.3/10, and global collection metrics, The Lazarus Effect stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2015 cinematic year.
The Lazarus Effect has received mixed reviews with a 5.3/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
The Lazarus Effect is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller movies, but read reviews first.
The Lazarus Effect may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
Well, it's not terribly original with some obvious connections with Frankenstein and other horror films of that type but I enjoyed it overall. It was quite scary in places and even though the scares were quite contrived for the most part, it did make me jump at times. The special effects were quite well done but could have been expanded a bit more. I gave it 3 1/2 stars.
**The stimulated brain terrorising!** Actually, this film was made before 'Lucy', but released after that. So I first saw that and now this. Basically, these two films are similar thematic, except the genres are different. I liked Scarlett's film, a very much enjoyable. This film too looked nice, and watching it after that makes to understand it better. I meant scientifically, rather than a supernatural way. So what's extra in this was the usual horror film style jumpy scenes, with loud and sudden sounds. Limited cast, and one day event based film. Not a bad writing or the direction and performances. The settings were perfect, and the film did not require strong graphics. The story followed a small medical researcher team who is working on a serum that brings the dead back to life. When their entire work was ceased by the company they were working for, they decide to recreate everything to prove its theirs. Then something goes wrong, following a series of destruction before it all ends. Like I said, it was more a science-fictional thriller than your regular horror film. But it borrowed the same style to present on the screen. The events are simple to understand, except that scientific thing. Because there won't be any difference for those who are weak in basic science. It'll be another normal boring horror flick. For me, it's an average film, watchable for once being short and well paced narration. _6/10_
**The Lazarus Effect showed some promise but couldn’t decide what to do once the horror began.** The Lazarus Effect had a decent premise - scientists attempting to discover a method to resurrect the recently deceased are forced to test their new experimental treatment on one of their team after she dies in an accident. Only she doesn’t come back the same. She returns sinister, malevolent, and murderous. That concept with a production company like Blumhouse and a cast boasting Olivia Wilde, Donald Glover, and Evan Peters made me think this had to be a solid horror flick. Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to my hopes. The writers of Lazarus Effect couldn’t decide the rules for their own movie. Is evil Zoe battling with the darkness trying to take over, or just evil? Is she superpowered? Is she demonic? Is she preying on the others or just twisted? The script never seemed to figure out what they wanted the character to be. With Zoe being the central focus and character, the failure to solidify and develop her character sunk the rest of the film. Still not the worst. I liked the open ending with the terror multiplying for a potential sequel, but with a mediocre response to this film, a sequel will never happen. The Lazarus Effect doomed itself never to be resurrected.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.