About:
Playlist for the Apocalypse is set in Vancouver, Canada, two years after a global pandemic and blackout where societal collapse was caused by a mysterious virus that transformed its hosts into zombie-like creatures, called the Soulless, who become violent upon witnessing emotion.
Evelyn Li, like many other survivors, has been living underground since the Soulless took control of the streets, cut off from both the outside world and her tight-knit family. Despite her aversion to risk, Evie is inspired by a mysterious voice she discovers on the radio to venture out of her underground bunker fuelled by the hope of reuniting with her family and the desire to meet the boy behind the voice.
The voice belongs to Jonathan Johnson, a cynic hardened by the harsh realities of the apocalypse who finds solace in his vast record collection and secret broadcasts as he navigates the bleakness of his existence and struggles to find purpose in it.
With each chapter titled after a song and told in dual perspectives, the novel explores Jonathan and Evelyn’s connection as they learn to trust and rely on each other as they embark on a journey across the city.
Playlist for the Apocalypse
By Lauryn Low
Genre: Action or adventure, Science fiction, Young adult
Format: Novel
Publication Status: Self-Published
Intended Audience: New Adult, Ages 18 to 30
Comparable Films / Books:
Love and Monsters, Warm Bodies, Zombieland, Hunger Games
Notable Achievements:
- Recognition from Wattpad Community-run Awards/contests
Content Considerations
Content Warnings:
- Violence or weapons, Injury, death, or gore, Flashing lights or loud sounds
Additional Notes:
- Some scenes include: action/violence, fear, mild rude language, mild blood/gore, depictions of alcohol/drug use, injury and drowning
About the Author
Lauryn Low is an Asian-Canadian Writer and Filmmaker. She has been writing and capturing stories onscreen since childhood.
Lauryn’s debut novel, “Playlist for the Apocalypse” boasts over 7k views on Wattpad and has been featured in community-led initiatives on Wattpad, where reviewers praised it for its writing quality and unique concept.
In 2026, Lauryn and her siblings launched Low Family Productions as a way to formally pursue their creative endeavours. Their first 48 hour film fest submission, “The Outtakes” won Audience Choice Award at the Abbotsford Film Festival.
Lauryn is excited to connect with others in the author and filmmaking community and is very much looking forward to working with passionate individuals who want to help uplift new writers to bring the project to life!
Short Film Adaptation Idea:
Trailer option:
Brief scenes of the two characters surviving alone (ex. Evelyn searching for her family through the streets of Vancouver while listening to Jonathan's radio broadcast / A record player, Jonathan broadcasting his radio show - a voice over using the narration from the preface of the novel). Abridged version of the "meet cute" scene during the thunderstorm when Evelyn comes to Jonathan's rescue depicting their banter/unlikely partnership. A montage of scenes depicting the trials they overcome together(ex. encounter with the Soulless, running/walking through empty streets, encounters with other human survivor groups), hint at the romantic tension (ex. tender moment in the skytrain car), ominous ending featuring Jonathan's apparent death and the ominous voice of the book's big bad. Ending with an endearing clip of the comic relief character "Guy" interrupting a tender moment and making a comment about the romantic tension.
Use of “classic rock” as a score will be a must due to the character’s music tastes.
Short Film Scene Option:
Chapter 5 - Jonathan, injured from a lightning strike, awakens to find Evelyn, a stranger, tending to his wounds. Evelyn reveals she heard his distress call over his radio show and came to help. Despite their initial stand off and Jonathan’s scepticism, the two form an unlikely partnership.
