October 27th 2024.
"Hey, that's Sue Johnston!" exclaimed my friend as we watched the TV screen. Sue Johnston, Robert Lindsay, Anita Dobson, and Johnny Vegas - four of the most celebrated actors in the country, each a national treasure in their own right. It may seem like an unlikely combination, but here they were, starring in Channel 4's new horror series.
But this was no ordinary horror. Set in 2024, where anything seemed possible, even the return of Trump as president. And to top it off, the McRib was back! It was a time of chaos and uncertainty, where even the concept of sanity was thrown out the window.
The mastermind behind this gruesome yet entertaining show was none other than Ben Whatley, known for his work on the popular shark franchise, The Meg. And his latest creation, Generation Z, was a high-octane zombie series that was surprisingly worth watching.
The story was set in the fictional town of Dambury, England, where there was nothing for the four teenage friends - Charlie, Kelly, Steff, and Finn - to do except play video games, party, or experiment with drugs. Their lives were dull and uneventful, until one day, an army convoy overturned, causing a chemical leak that had a terrifying effect on the nearby care home.
The elderly residents of the home turned into blood-thirsty zombies, breaking out and hunting for fresh, young meat. Suddenly, the boomers had a new lease on life as immortal zombies, and they were hungry for the blood and guts of Generation Z.
As the virus rapidly spread among the older citizens, they found themselves thriving with their new disease. Kelly's nan, Janine, was among the first to get infected and attacked her own granddaughter. It became clear that the teenage gang, armed with a crossbow, needed to stick together to survive the onslaught of infected pensioners.
But these were not your typical zombies. They were more focused and full of energy, feeling more alive than ever before. They were fully aware of what was happening to them and their insatiable thirst for human flesh. And they were not easy to kill either - they were not just mindless creatures, but almost human.
Despite the chaos and danger, Generation Z was a lot of fun to watch. Seeing Angie Watts, aka Anita Dobson, throwing herself through tables and attacking her granddaughter from great heights was a sight to behold. And it was clear that Dobson was loving every second of it.
The show was a perfect balance of horror and comedy, with plenty of scares and laughs. The jump scares were genuine, and the one-liners were hilariously funny. It was a different side of Angie Watts that we had never seen before.
But be warned, the first episode of Generation Z was not for the faint-hearted, especially for fans of the beloved cockapoo. These zombies were merciless, and in just one episode, there was an incident that would make any dog owner never want to let their pooch off the leash again.
The zombie genre may have been done to death, but Generation Z breathed new life into it. From Dawn of the Dead's commentary on capitalism to Night of the Living Dead's exploration of race relations, and even Shaun of the Dead's take on growing old, zombies have always been used to represent something more significant.
And Generation Z was no different. It was an exploration of the generational divide that has only grown wider in recent years, with issues like social media, Brexit, and the climate crisis. It showed how two generations, the boomers and Gen Z, felt like they had nothing in common and often blamed each other for the state of the world.
As a Gen Z myself, I could relate to the frustration and resentment towards the boomers for their actions and decisions that have affected our future. And watching them tear apart the younger generation, both literally and figuratively, was a cathartic experience.
But amidst all the chaos and gore, the young cast of Kelly, Charlie, Steff, and Finn felt refreshingly real. They were not just stereotypes or caricatures of "woke warriors," but fully fleshed out characters written with respect and authenticity.
It had been 20 years since Shaun of the Dead, and finally, there was a zom-com that could live up to its legacy. So, grab your popcorn and get ready to be entertained, just make sure to keep any dogs out of the room. Generation Z airs tonight at 9 pm on Channel 4 and is also available to stream on All 4.
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