ZOM 100: BUCKET LIST OF THE DEAD on Netflix is a new Japanese zombie movie. It’s essentially a remake of the 2023 anime of the same title (based on a manga). And it does get very silly at times, but it’s also brutal. Read our full Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead movie review here!

ZOM 100: BUCKET LIST OF THE DEAD is a new Netflix movie from Japan (org. title is Zom 100: Zombie ni Naru made ni Shitai 100 no Koto). It’s part dark and brutal (even before the zombies), but also very silly and kitsch at times.

Of course, the official genres of the movie are action, comedy, horror, sci-fi, and fantasy, so it makes sense. Also, it’s essentially based on a manga graphic novel and a remake of the 2023 anime series. Most live-action movies based on mangas or animes do tend to have a kitsch and a more light-hearted feel to them. At least at times.

Continue reading our Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead movie review below. Find it on Netflix from August 3, 2023.

“Like Milla Jovovich or something”

I love it when stories (especially kitsch genre productions) refer to other pop culture characters. Or even actors! So, when a super cool young woman shows up and the main character says she’s like “Milla Jovovich or something”, then I am completely there with that character. Also, Milla Jovovich is one of the coolest action stars. Of any gender!

In Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, we meet Akira Tendo (Eiji Akaso). He works at a company where all the employees are brutally overworked. The film opens on his first day on the job and before that day (which turns out to be days) is over, he realizes that it isn’t everything he thought it was.

He suffers endless late hours, brutal harassment from his boss, and is given illogical tasks with no end in sight. He quickly feels more dead than alive (yes, like a zombie). So, when he awakes to the city being overrun with zombies, he gets his first day off in a year. With some free time and death looming everywhere, he remains positive in the face of grotesque adversity.

That’s when Akira comes up with a list of 100 things he wants to do before he becomes a zombie. And then he sets out to complete his bucket list.

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead - Netflix Review

Are you ready for Zombie Shark?

Just as the manga and anime series were famous for, this feature film live-action remake does also feature a zombie shark. Having recently watched the Sharksploitation documentary on Shudder it feels oddly familiar. The zombie shark in Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead isn’t the main plot, but rather something that comes along in the third act of the story.

Anyone who likes shark movies and is excited about Meg 2: The Trench is probably going to enjoy the zombie shark element. And yes, the zombie shark is one cool and very well-made creature!

Other than having a zombie shark, this Japanese Netflix zombie movie does also feature a lot of superfast zombies. Think Train to Busan-type zombies. You can’t just outrun them, but you can fairly easily outsmart them.

Watch Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead on Netflix now!

The producer of this new manga-adapted zombie movie is the same as the one behind Alice in Borderland. That’s another popular Netflix production from Japan. A genre series that was made to have two seasons. And yes, Alice in Borderland was also based on a manga.

WANT MORE MANGA-BASED PRODUCTIONS ON NETFLIX?

Our season 2 review of Alice in Borderland that came out earlier this year >

If you enjoy Japanese productions (and especially if you’re a fan of manga and/or anime), then you’ll definitely want to check out this one. As a whole, it wasn’t really my thing. However, I can recognize that it stays true to its own style and plot, which is certainly a plus. Also, the whole zombie element works really well.

Both the actual zombies and the more symbolic zombie-element of the story.

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead is on Netflix from August 3, 2023.

Details

Director: Yusuke Ishida
Screenplay: Tatsuro Mishima
Cast: Eiji Akaso, Mai Shiraishi, Shuntaro Yanagi, Yui Ichikawa, Mayo Kawasaki, Akari Hayami, Miwako Kakei, Kurumi Nakata, Doronz Ishimoto, Mukau Nakamura, Shota Taniguchi, Kenta Satoi, Kazuki Kitamura

Plot of Zom 100

A young man who has had life sucked out of him through his power-harassing boss wakes up one day to a zombie apocalypse and starts to pursue his “zombie apocalypse bucket list.”

Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard
Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard
I write reviews and recaps on Heaven of Horror. And yes, it does happen that I find myself screaming, when watching a good horror movie. I love psychological horror, survival horror and kick-ass women. Also, I have a huge soft spot for a good horror-comedy. Oh yeah, and I absolutely HATE when animals are harmed in movies, so I will immediately think less of any movie, where animals are harmed for entertainment (even if the animals are just really good actors). Fortunately, horror doesn't use this nearly as much as comedy. And people assume horror lovers are the messed up ones. Go figure!
Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard
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