Kingdom Season 1 Review: A Refreshing Take On Zombie Terror
There’s a point early on the third episode of Kingdom, Netflix’s South Korean medieval zombie series, where the outbreak has reached a fever pitch, and terror is through the air.
It’s a nightmare on screen, where no one is safe, not even those usually spared in other shows and movies. It’s unflinching, one of many moments where the show claims its stake as a force to be reckoned with, where the threat knows no bounds.
The six-episode series, already renewed for a second season, knows what it is from the very beginning, and doesn’t shy away from it. It’s a big budget, gorgeous show in a setting far from the normal zombie affairs, where swords and political intrigue are the usual weapons, and nothing can possibly prepare for such a horde of monstrosities.
Certainly, there are moments of levity among all this dark; it’s done in reactions to the madness, and in how a world dedicated to class and standing falls when everyone can die, highborn or not.
The complaints of trying to maintain order in a chaotic situation, in disbelief and in order to blame someone else for the unexplained, makes normally one-note characters at least comically interesting.
But in its lead, core five main characters, Kingdom allows both nobility and commoner to shine. Standouts include Seo-bi (Bae Doo-na), a fearless medical assistant, and the Crown Prince (Ju Ji-hoon), whose plight falls on rising from disgrace and navigating through both the rising dead and backstabbing of his enemies. The circumstances of the show allow the characters to show who they really are in order to face what comes for them.
The world establishes itself as one of rules and procedures and continues this in line with the rules of its undead. They are a fearsome mob, faster than their prey and their turn taking only seconds. Their look is downright terrifying, and a credit to both the make-up and costume department, and the extras portraying them.
Kingdom is a series of immense visual power and a triumph in Netflix’s expansion into international television.
The show is astoundingly beautiful. The incredible designs of the towns, the palaces, the choices for the direction and shots, all leads to scenes of wonder in the calm.
But there’s a beauty to the chaos, too, where epic visuals of horror stick with you after an episode ends. All six episodes are directed by acclaimed director Kim Seong-hun, and it is a joy to look at.
The show’s use of light and fog during its night scenes is a tremendous help in setting mood and atmosphere. It elevates a normally tense moment into something more, a layered and beautiful portrait to cause havoc in.
Kingdom manages to keep itself in a continuous build. The story heightens with each episode and each harrowing sequence, building on what has come before in a way to give each night of attacks a new scenario or circumstance to catch you completely by surprise.
The only downside is, depending on your outlook, the finale. For some, it will amount to an awful amount of set-up over closure of what’s been built up to this point. But it leads to something more profound, shaping the series into new and more promising territory.
Kingdom is setting up for something bigger, and is all the more fascinating for it.
An epic story of a Crown Prince usurped from his rightful throne while a throng of hellish undead corrupt a province he curries favor in is a fantastic premise. It’s one of Netflix’s best originals, delivering powerful performances from its large cast (and especially its main leads), and a large scale in both visuals and action.
Kingdom does right by its genre and adds some nightmarish imagery and surprises to set itself apart from the many like it. Netflix has another quality series on its international front.
What did you think of season one of Kingdom? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Kingdom is currently streaming on Netflix.
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Kevin Lever
Kevin Lever has been following television closely for most of his life, but in starting to cover it, he has grown a further appreciation. He strives to give the blockbusters their due, and give the lesser known shows a spotlight to find more fans.