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PAGE 40 | Entertainment ALL OF US ARE DEAD

Sofia Pristina Madrid I Writer Layout I Victor Serrano

Who doesn’t like getting their blood rushing with excitement when watching a nerve-wracking zombie apocalyptic movie? Well, buckle up as Netflix released its latest Korean coming of age zombie horror series last January 28, 2022. “All of Us Are Dead” is a zombie cataclysm series that offer viewers an enthralling experience of catastrophe on a High School ground with fragments of students fighting for their own survival. The series has 12-episodes, each running for over an hour—just enough to binge watch in a day. The 12 long hours won’t really feel like half a day with the fast-paced storyline of the series. The first 2 episodes did not disappoint in giving a thrilling experience just when the virus is starting to spread and then rapidly infecting almost all of the students. Upon realizing the situation, the students began formulating ideas and tactics as to how they can survive and stay alive with each other. While they managed to move places, the students had a hard time maintaining the group. Sacrifice was a crucial point in the series. Had sacrifices not been made, those who are alive probably wouldn’t have made it. With the series’ gory and violent theme, the portrayal of family, friendship, and sacrifices certainly stood out and is one of the most beautiful highlights of the series.

As the strong presence of love shone throughout the series, hate, revenge, and fear also share a big contribution to the plot. Jonas virus was created out of Lee Byeong-Chan’s strong will to save his son from bullies. He wanted to turn fear into power but instead of doing so, he created demise. “Ignoring minor violence would result in violence taking over the world.” This is one of Byeong-Chan’s lines that certainly left a big impact not only because it is true, but because it can and might eventually happen in real life. His love for his son made him fall short to the point of being apathetic to humanity and void of sympathy. It truly shows how one’s desire can drive a human into the pit of darkness.

With the fast spreading outbreak slowly reaching beyond Hyosan, the government now tries to contain the virus, leading them to impose a martial law on the city. Certainly, handling such a situation wouldn’t be an easy task as thousands of lives depend on it and the number of the people hoping to be rescued lies in the order of the commanding officer. However, the minority of people pleading to be saved did not matter in the end as the military opted to abandon Hyosan in order to save the majority. This is another highlight in the series as it shows how the military maneuver situations in which the lives of their people are at stake. Regardless of the bigger reason for saving more people, to see the military abandon a bunch of teenagers and leave the rest neglected is truly frustrating. The act itself is inhumane enough for the commanding officer that he decided to kill himself as well. The show perfectly represented how tough it is to weigh down big decisions that carry other people’s lives and also how these decisions can greatly affect others and even oneself too.

All of Us Are Dead is truly one hell of a ride. The series successfully gave a satisfying feeling to zombie movie enthusiasts with such exemplary acting, lifelike make-up, intense plotline, and worth pondering life lessons. It did not only show intense horrific scenes, it can also be emotional and funny when it wants to. The main message hidden underneath a teen zombie movie about sacrifices is also a big change to the movie scene, that we have also seen in other movies recently. A whole ride of emotions indeed. All of Us Are Dead is definitely a must watch series. It is even more worth the watch when we are in a somewhat likewise setting where a virus is widespread. Who knows? Maybe someday zombies might actually come to life!

Don’t we all just love when we experience something that we relate to, may that feeling be good or bad.

Such is the case with Adam McKay’s satirical sci-fi film, Don’t Look Up. On paper, Don’t

Look Up looks like your typical end-of-theworld movie where the conflict revolves around how to beat an extinction-level threat looming over all life on Earth. What makes this different is that the conflict in this movie revolves around humanity, where we are the cause of our own demise. The conflict and the horrifying message it relays to us is something that is really relevant and currently happening in our present time. A warning that shows us the consequence if we continue treading on the path we’re currently walking on to.

Throughout the whole movie, you can see how Abuela makes sure that her children use their gifts to help their community, and pressures them to be the perfect Madrigal family member. This stemmed from the trauma of her past struggles, as she needed to flee her home and her husband needed to sacrifice himself so that they stay safe. She was scared of losing her children and their abilities so she made sure that their family uses these gifts for the common good, so that they will always be blessed with keeping their abilities and gaining new ones for new family members.

Every character in the movie shows different kinds of struggles that stemmed from generational trauma passed down by Abuela. We have Mirabel who has no abilities, and always felt like she needed to prove herself and do more just to measure up and fit into the rest of her family. We have Luisa who carries a lot of pressure as she is the strong one, and always felt that her worth depends on the service that she gives to the community. We have Bruno who felt like he needed to leave and be an outcast because his family didn’t find his gift useful.

All these characters are imperfect but lovable and Disney has always been good at putting heavy themes in their animations while still keeping in mind their younger audience. During these changing times, it’s important that children get to watch these kinds of movies and though they might not fully understand it’s depth yet, the effect of media on kids in the long run has always been big. It is great for them to learn the message of this movie.

The media and the reception of mental health and trauma has progressed over the years, and is something that is now taken seriously, and it shows in media and movies. Talking about the toxicity and traumas in asian households were not a popular topic of discussion or proper media portrayal years ago, but Disney has not failed in keeping up with the changes and progress our society makes, and by releasing a great portrayal of struggles in an asian household in a movie primarily meant for children, they are giving a hand in preparing these children for the progress of our society’s perception of these issues.

With a beautiful soundtrack, fun and relatable characters, and beautiful animations and story, Encanto is definitely a great addition to your list of must watch movies!

Disney’s take on generational trauma

Victor Serrano I Creatives