The rules
A running gag, and a central theme throughout the film, is the list of rules Columbus comes up with for surviving in the zombie-infested world. By the end of the film, his list has thirty-three rules; only some of them are mentioned. A series of promotional videos starring Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg expanded on the list presented in the film.[6] 1. "Cardio"[7] 1. "Double tap"[8] ("Ziploc bags" in a deleted scene)[7] 1. "Beware of bathrooms"[7][9] 1. "Wear seatbelts"[7] 1. "Cast iron skillet" 1. "Travel light" 1. "Get a kickass partner" 1. "Bounty paper towels" 1. "Bowling Ball" 1. "(Don't) be a hero"[10] 1. "Limber up" 1. "Avoid strip clubs" 1. "When in doubt, know your way out" 1. "The buddy system" 1. "Check the back seat"[11] 1. "Enjoy the little things"[12] 1. "Swiss army knife" 1. "Hygiene"[13]
At the end of the film, Columbus has a few parting words, reminding viewers of the rules and adding that, "a little sunscreen never hurt anybody".
In a deleted scene on the DVD, Columbus presents an alternate rule number 2 titled "Ziploc Bags".[14]
[edit] Character names
The characters do not use each others' real names. Instead, they identify themselves using place names (Columbus, Tallahassee, Wichita, Little Rock) that relate to them. This includes Columbus's neighbor, named 406 after her room, and his fictional sexual conquest: Beverly Hills. There are exceptions, Bill Murray plays himself, and Sister Cynthia Knickerbocker, who Columbus identifies as a "Zombie Kill of the Week" winner.[15] At the end of the film, Wichita tells Columbus her real name is