All of Us Are Dead is a decent watch that’s way too long

*Minor spoilers*

Netflix’s All of Us Are Dead is a Korean horror series that follows a group of high school students who attempt to survive a zombie outbreak at their school. At 12 episodes with 1 hour each, it will take a hefty investment to get through all the mayhem and deaths. Is it worth it? Peep our review below.

The good: Setting

As a high school zombie horror, All of Us Are Dead triggers visions of melodrama, unnecessary love triangles, and annoying teen angst. While those exist, the series provides a surprising twist by featuring the world outside of the school.

How society reacts to an unknown phenomenon is explored, such as the spread of fake news, hostilities triggered by fear, the government’s response, and the class struggle during a crisis. We’re not privy to South Korean politics, but the struggle of the working class v the elites is a common theme in their shows, and All of Us Are Dead is no different.

The added depth gives birth to minor storylines that can be as intense and heartwrenching as the show’s central conflict, making us wish for a proper adaptation of the World War Z novel (nope, Brad Pitt’s doesn’t count).

The bad: Side characters

While storylines grant an added emotional heft to All of Us Are Dead, it is also its biggest burden. At 12 episodes clocking in at an hour each, ‘Why is this included?’ is a recurring question you’ll find yourself asking.

A bullied victim, who finds empowerment in her newfound abilities, spends 90% of her screen time wandering and having flashbacks to scenes we’ve already seen. Did we need a separate group of survivors whose sole purpose is to rack zombie kills? Do we care what happens to the one cop in Korea that doesn’t have a gun?

All of Us Are Dead’s storylines work best when they have a connection to the main arc. Otherwise, the show introduces way too many characters while mostly struggling to justify their existence. At best, it’s a 6 episode story trapped in 12.

The good: Action scenes

All of Us Are Dead might’ve buckled under its branching narratives, but when it focuses and goes for the jugular, boy, does it pour.

The series nails the frantic and desperate atmosphere that has defined other zombie shows like The Kingdom. One-shots, hallway fights, and parkour chases; the stunts pull you into the chaos that only an outbreak could bring. There are enough butt-clenching moments to raise your blood pressure.

It does get tedious and mind-numbing by the end, but All of Us Are Dead is an achievement in the action department

The meh: Characters, plot, pacing

At a glance, a horror teen flick isn’t something that’s worth being overly critical. However, All of Us Are Dead occasionally proves that it could’ve been so much more, if only it tightened its narrative.

At its best, the emotional beats are golden. Students recording their last sentiments? That’s a punch in the gut. Another seeing their reanimated parents? Screw my emotions. An elderly mother, seen as a workaholic by her son, relentlessly tries to save him? That left us a wreck.

At its worst, All of Us Are Dead falls into the Netflix trap of stretching solid narratives with needless fluff. Yes, we already get that these characters have feelings for each other. Do we really need another bonding moment with the squad? Could we move on to the next scene, please?

Is it worth your time?

All of Us Are Dead is a decent watch if you have time to spare, or you and your friends have run out of things to binge-watch. The show features a ton of potential and solid emotional beats that get lost in its unnecessary lengthy runtime.

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Source: we the pvblic