The zombies are alive, and paternal love is boiling, but the audience's emotions are gradually cooling down. The urge to step outside is faster than the moving emotions, leaving one in a perplexing state despite laughing and crying.
The movie 'Zombie Daughter' (directed by Pil Gam-seong) is a human zombie comedy based on the popular Naver webtoon 'My Daughter Has Become a Zombie', which has surpassed 500 million views. Through the father's struggle to protect his transformed daughter, it uses the genre of zombies to touch on the familiar emotion of family.
It tells the story of a father, Jung-hwan (Jo Jung-seok), who enters secret training to protect his daughter Sua (Choi Yu-ri), who has become the last zombie in the world.
There was great anticipation for this summer comedy comeback of Jo Jung-seok, who attracted 9.42 million viewers with 'Exit' in 2019 and 4.71 million with 'Pilot' in 2024. The marketing also prominently featured comedy to boost the box office atmosphere.
However, the film is closer to a human drama than a comedy. The thrill of the zombie genre is minimal, while the main ingredient is a rich and salty paternal love. It is simple and easy to follow, even for those unfamiliar with the original work. The characters are all quite one-dimensional.
In the early stages, the performances of the actors provide strength. Jo Jung-seok and Lee Jung-eun skillfully handle their main roles, and Jo Yeo-jeong also plays her supporting role effectively. Above all, the newcomer 'Ae-yong', selected through auditions, proves to be a definite scene-stealer.
However, the characters themselves are very primitive and flat. No matter how good the actors are at delivering sophisticated performances, the density and design of the characters are lacking, leading to a quick diminishing of emotions.
As the drama intensifies in the second half, the film becomes even flatter. The flow of the story is typical, the emotional lines are organized in a melodramatic structure, and the segments of laughter and tears are clearly defined.
The characters remain in predictable emotions, and while the feelings are familiar, they lack depth. There are moments of fleeting emotion, but the aftertaste is short. Although it chose a different ending from the original, it is closer to a mundane conclusion than a twist.
Jo Jung-seok is still charming and warm. Moreover, he is even heartfelt. A good dad, a sympathetic man, a lovely guy who is impossible to hate. He is a character he has always excelled at portraying, and it is the way he does best.
However, in this film, all those advantages no longer feel fresh. The laughter, the emotion, and even the energy of the story remain half-hearted. There are emotions, but they lack persuasion, and while the acting is good, the characters are dull. It is uncertain whether his emotional line leading to the climax elevated the cinematic pleasure.
'Zombie Daughter' is a movie packed with various elements like a mixed gift set. However, it leaves a strange sense of disappointment as it is not the gift I truly wanted.
Expectations were high, but the emotions are excessive, and the laughter and tears are awkward. The plausible dish and filling ultimately result in a regrettable disharmony.
What the audience needs now is not a 'generally acceptable story' but 'emotion that truly resonates'. A clear reason to watch in theaters, a punch that captures the audience's attention is necessary. This film ultimately failed to hit that point decisively.
Postscript. I have a desire to support it. However, 'recommendation' is another story.
Releasing on the 30th. Rated for ages 12 and up. Running time 113 minutes
