Tired of the same old zombie stories? Craving something that blends supernatural thrills with genuine emotional depth? Then get ready to binge-watch Netflix’s new 10-part mystery thriller, “Revival.” This isn’t your typical brain-eating horror fest; it’s a compelling family drama set against the backdrop of a small town grappling with the impossible: the dead are rising.
A Town Reborn
Created by Aaron B. Koontz and Luke Boyce, and based on the comic series by Tim Seeley and Mike Norton, “Revival” plunges viewers into the heart of Wausau, Wisconsin. We meet Dana Cypress (Melanie Scrofano), a divorced police officer desperate to escape her hometown and start anew in Chicago. Her plans are complicated by her job, her estranged father and town sheriff (David James Elliott), and then…the dead begin to rise.
The resurrections are unsettlingly diverse. Some emerge peacefully from their graves, seeking loved ones. Others awaken violently, trapped within the town’s incinerator. This event, dubbed “Revival Day,” triggers a media frenzy and a government quarantine as authorities struggle to understand what’s happening. Dana’s investigation into various crimes is further complicated by the fact that the culprit could be one of the undead.
Beyond Brains: A Community in Crisis
The rise of the dead understandably sparks fear and division within Wausau. While some celebrate the return of loved ones, now known as “Revivers,” others are consumed by dread. We see a revived little girl bullied at school, labeled a “zombie girl.” In a crowded police station, a woman wonders if her sullen, goth-attired neighbor is also one of the undead. Dana quips, “That’s Tina — she just likes The Cure.” This blend of horror and humor is what makes “Revival” so engaging.
Reinventing the Zombie Genre
“Revival” isn’t just about gore; it draws inspiration from shows like “The Leftovers,” focusing on the aftermath of an inexplicable event and its impact on a community. In Wausau, some are desperately trying to resurrect their loved ones, while others are locking away the Revivers, pretending nothing has changed.
Family at the Heart of It All
What truly elevates “Revival” is its focus on character development. The Cypress family remains central to the narrative, with each episode revealing pieces of their backstory and explaining their complex relationships. Scrofano delivers a standout performance as Dana, portraying her as a resourceful but flawed cop who’s always entertaining to watch. We also meet Em (Romy Weltman), Dana’s younger sister returning home after college, whose relationship with their father is filled with tension and misunderstandings. The writers skillfully weave these storylines together, leaving viewers eager to understand how these relationships fractured and whether they can be repaired.
A Second Chance?
The first season of “Revival” aired last year, and its future on Netflix remains uncertain. Koontz believes that strong viewership could determine whether a second season is ordered. He told What’s on Netflix that the show has always had a wider audience in mind, and that Netflix provides an opportunity to reach them. Fortunately for completionists, the central mystery of the first season is resolved in the finale.
Whether it returns or not, “Revival” feels like a show destined for rediscovery on Netflix. It masterfully blends B-movie thrills with genuine emotional depth, exploring not only the horror of the impossible but also the resilience and complexities of the human spirit. “Revival” is a must-watch for anyone looking for a fresh and thought-provoking take on the zombie genre.
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