Zombieverse is one of the worst-rated Netflix shows ever – but it’s still proving popular
An undead nightmare scenario for Netflix
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Zombieverse, Netflix’s new reality TV show, is being trashed online – but it’s not putting off viewers from tuning in. The latest South Korean-developed series to land on the world’sbest streaming service,Zombieversehasn’t proven to be the smash hitNetflixhoped it would be.
For the uninitiated:Zombieverseis a reality TV-based drama series where a group of contestants – mostly comprising Korean comedians and music artists – are tasked with ‘surviving’ a zombie apocalypse in Seoul, South Korea. To stay alive, the gang must complete various tasks to acquire weapons and other useful items to fend off the undead. The end goal is to make it onto a boat and sail to safety, but not everyone will make it out.
Per review aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes,Zombieverseis – at the time of writing (August 9) – sitting at an absolutely paltry 29%. For comparison’s sake, similarly panned series includingApple TV Plus’The Crowded RoomandDisney Plus’Secret Invasion,the latter of whom has been trashed by Marvel fans, are rated more highly thanZombieverse. Presently, that duo have scores of 33% and 54%, respectively.
Despite its largely negative reviews,Zombieverseis still proving to be a popular conversation starter among Netflix’s global fanbase. The mash-up series only began airing on August 8, but it’s already become the talk of the entertainment town, with viewers engaging in a fierce online debate whetherZombieverseis, regardless of its Rotten Tomatoes score, good or not.
Over on Reddit, userStarrylandscalled it an “incredible disappointment”. Fellow RedditorConscious-Equal-7863was in agreement, saying it was “hot garbage” and that they turned it off after 15 minutes.
The story is much different on X (formerly known as Twitter), though. UseriKennyJstated it was “absolutely worth watching” if viewers wanted something funny to stream, whiledaheeverselabeled it an “intense” watch that’s “perfect for binge-ing”. As revealed by fellow user dontsippy (see below),Zombieverseis making waves on Netflix Korea, too, with the series currently sitting fifth in its most popular TV shows list.
#zombieverse is top 5 on Netflix Korea 💅 #덱스 #jinyoung pic.twitter.com/G8ZwkiVciBAugust 9, 2023
Zombieverse, then, isn’t off to the best of starts where Netflix is concerned. It’s struggled to immediately hook viewers across the globe in the same way that other hit Korean shows did, such asAll of Us Are DeadandBlack Knight.
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However, the same was true ofSquid Game. The most-watched Netflix series of all-time took time to gain momentum among the streamer’s subscriber base. The survival drama series' popularity was driven by word of mouth recommendations and, in some respects, people’s desire to stream something original amid the Covid-19 pandemic. That double-whammy helped to cementSquid Gameas one of thebest Netflix showsever and led to the announcement ofSquid Gameseason 2.
Given the factors that contributed to its success,Squid Gameis an outlier of which we might never see the likes of again. Few other Netflix original series – developed in South Korea or elsewhere – have matched its unprecedented success. In fact,Stranger Thingsaside,Wednesday,The Night AgentandFubarare the only three Netflix shows to come close to topplingSquid Gamein the race to become Netflix’s most-streamed TV show.
So, the jury is out on whetherZombieversecan become the next major Korean hit on Netflix. Based on its sluggish start and negative reactions, it probably won’t be. But, if more people continue to tune in to see what all the fuss is about, it could surprise us all. After all, the fear of missing out (FOMO) is a powerful feeling that affects many of us. If enough Netflix viewers get FOMO overZombieverse, its place on the Netflix trash heap won’t be guaranteed just yet.
For more Netflix TV show-based coverage, read up on what we know aboutStranger Thingsseason 5,Arcaneseason 2, andThe Lincoln Lawyerseason 3.
As TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You’ll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.
An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as thisMoon Knight TV spot.
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