"Kingdom" (2019) Netflix

One of the best shows on Netflix this year—and one of the more creative uses of the zombie genre/metaphor—is the South Korean “Kingdom.” It is only 6 episodes long (with a second season in the works.) It requires reading subtitles (if watched correctly), which might scare off some genre viewers. That would be a shame, though, because it gives a completely fresh take on the genre. It also does something most zombie stories avoid. It provides an explanation and origin for the plague. (An interesting one at that.)

But, as with all good zombie stories, it is not just about scary monsters and survival. This series explores palace and political intrigue and makes some biting commentary against class privilege. The nobles-vs.-peasants undercurrent is a much needed story for todays zeitgeist.