Typical zombie story. Obviously the budget is limited so the whole movies was filmed in one city block to cut down on expenses.
Decent acting but some details were missed. The boy stayed in that building for so long. And even though he had tainted short hair. And presumably ni beard hair. His look didn't change one bit.
Kind of an obvious point...
Other things like the the fact that zombies hear noise in an apartment several levels up from down in the street. And somehow manage to identify exactly where the noise is coming from. Even for a normal human being. That's extremely difficult.
I could go on for a long time with these remarks but it's ok for a Netflix movie.
Worth watching if you're a zombie film enthusiast
410 Reviews
Good but could be better
JamieReview17 May 2021
The prologue to this movie really sets the story going without hesitation. It quickly gets you into the story with enough information that you need.
The music was good throughout the whole movie and were played at the right moments.
I would say that the characters were interesting and played by good actors/actresses. They used the tools they had to their advantage, their actions/reactions were realistic and for the most part they think logically, unlike stereotypical zombie movies/shows.
There are some occasions where there are flaws in the story such as the main female characters fear of heights.
Overall it was an entertaining movie with an interesting story that I really enjoyed.
The music was good throughout the whole movie and were played at the right moments.
I would say that the characters were interesting and played by good actors/actresses. They used the tools they had to their advantage, their actions/reactions were realistic and for the most part they think logically, unlike stereotypical zombie movies/shows.
There are some occasions where there are flaws in the story such as the main female characters fear of heights.
Overall it was an entertaining movie with an interesting story that I really enjoyed.
#Imaginative.
Sleepin_Dragon11 September 2020
I rather enjoyed #Alive, it didn't feel like the average zombie movie. There seemed to be some parallels between the imagined threat here, and the very real threat, Coronavirus. There's a great scene where our man looks outside fearfully, and then looks at his food rations, something many people have done in 2020.
It's very nicely acted, nicely shot, it feels very fresh and current. The moments of horror were very nicely done, and never became too silly. Some nice twists, it's never predictable.
It has a real sense of doom, and terror about it, the way things gradually collapse, that said the action begins quickly, they don't hang around.
It's good, 7/10.
It's very nicely acted, nicely shot, it feels very fresh and current. The moments of horror were very nicely done, and never became too silly. Some nice twists, it's never predictable.
It has a real sense of doom, and terror about it, the way things gradually collapse, that said the action begins quickly, they don't hang around.
It's good, 7/10.
Almost a Remake of The Night Eats the World
minervara997 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Yes, it was almost like a remake of a French zombie film, "The Night Eats the World," about a male survivor communicating with a female one, down to the zip-lining to the other building. But the Korean one tried to hard to be cute and romantic for its own good. Yes maybe it will be more marketable in Asia and the ending is more uplifting, however it's not better than the French one.
A Lighter feel for this remake of French film
Jester22231 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I enjoyed the film.
The effects were hood with the infected and well acted by all......including the Zombies.
Nothing too gory and the bloody letting is quite restrained really but still nasty enough to give a sense of tension etc.
It's a lot more teenaged and romantically themed that the superior French original "The Night Ate the World" which I really enjoyed much more.
But, this is still watchable.
Some big plot holes aside its enjoyable and the sense of being trapped is well conveyed.
More upbeat than expected. Zombies seems a little easily repelled for my liking....but I guess you can't just have the two cast members killed or film over.
The fireman scene and use of a drone was interesting.
Not as good as the incredible Train to Busan but worth a watch.
The fireman scene and use of a drone was interesting.
Not as good as the incredible Train to Busan but worth a watch.
A movie that is just enjoyable
giorgosstefanidis26 September 2020
Went in with no expectations and i must say i had fun . It was very enjoyable ! Great acting , great make up effects but it lacks on almost everything else . The plot is bad and simple . The ending was really bad and cliché . But the thing that makes this movie watchable is that it is a modern day zombie movie and it makes you care about the characters . Overall just a fun and enjoyable movie
It definitely ain't the best zombie flick you'll see, but there's some fun to be had! [+59%]
arungeorge1330 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I'll admit that the posters for #Alive had gotten the zombie-movie fanatic within me pretty excited. The urban setting, the spectacular make-up effects, the 'few survivors vs. a massive zombie horde' storyline, and the use of modern-day gadgets - I was quite enticed by these factors. #Alive has a fantastic first act - it's all Yoo Ah-in until then, and of course, the gratifying zombie chaos taking place around his apartment complex. Add some food-related FOMO to that and we have an interesting bunch of scenes stitched together.
As expected, not much is detailed about the outbreak except for the basics - these zombies are fast, cannibalistic, and attack in hordes. Things change around the 40-minute mark with the entry of a female survivor (played by Park Shin-hye) who lives across the complex in another building. Hereafter, the cliches start to pile up. They develop a vibe, a couple of walkie-talkies are conveniently found, and they even end up saving each other at different instances. Yet, it's the predictably bland final act that makes #Alive a middle-of-the-road effort.
The set-pieces are all racy, hair-raising, and effective, even if one feels tempted to revisit and question how certain scenes play out. With a highly animated zombie mob hot on the trail of the protagonists from start to finish, the action has a well-choreographed feel to it. #Alive, when viewed as a quarantine film in the year 2020, can also send a message across to people that all hope is never lost and personal battles can eventually be won.
As expected, not much is detailed about the outbreak except for the basics - these zombies are fast, cannibalistic, and attack in hordes. Things change around the 40-minute mark with the entry of a female survivor (played by Park Shin-hye) who lives across the complex in another building. Hereafter, the cliches start to pile up. They develop a vibe, a couple of walkie-talkies are conveniently found, and they even end up saving each other at different instances. Yet, it's the predictably bland final act that makes #Alive a middle-of-the-road effort.
The set-pieces are all racy, hair-raising, and effective, even if one feels tempted to revisit and question how certain scenes play out. With a highly animated zombie mob hot on the trail of the protagonists from start to finish, the action has a well-choreographed feel to it. #Alive, when viewed as a quarantine film in the year 2020, can also send a message across to people that all hope is never lost and personal battles can eventually be won.
Decent zombie movie
andregallman19 May 2021
It's good
acanacox28 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
It's a representation of what the first month would be like in a zombie apocalypse (trying to find some one else who is alive, saving enough food for each day, counting the days, trying to find a way to communicate to others etc via cell phone with no bars). Its basically that, barely any talking. I could literally give you the whole movie synopsis in less than a paragraph:
boy in apartment: apocalypse breaks out, he doesn't have much food, finds girl across the street and communicates and sends food to her via rope: both decide to go and find more food together: finds another survivor to only use the girl as food for his zombiefied wife~ foe gets killed, both kids hear helicopter and go to the roof fighting off zombies~ barely makes it on the helicopter alive but does!
It was good enough to maybe watch again if I was with a friend
Nothing special.
noahgibbobaker9 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
#Alive is a South Korean film by first time director Il Cho. Going into this film I expected an absolute mess, all I had seen was the horrible title. But I was pleasantly surprised with a pretty interesting take on zombie movies. For the most part.
Technically I didn't think this film was anything special. No element of filmmaking was exceptional, and no element was awful. Granted there were some awful moments, like the editing when people are turning into zombies is laughable. And the cinematography during action scenes was also just dreadful. For the most part though the technical aspects were consistently, fine.
The zombies were very inconsistent. If they are so sensitive to noise why are characters able to talk at all, sometimes when they speak it cuts to hordes of zombies charging in the direction of the sound and this is just forgotten half of the time. Sometimes the zombies are so strong they are able to climb buildings and other times they can't open a door because a step ladder is in the way. I believe this is because of my next point.
Bad screenplay. All but two points of tension in this film are down to coincidence. The same scare is used many times, Oh will be doing something like, for example, flying his drone then there is a bang at the door, it's a zombie, at the same moment his drone runs out of battery. The chances of this happening are so slim. The fact screenwriters Il Cho and Matt Naylor use this stupid scare so many times makes me think they just didn't care when writing this film. The dialogue is bad and everything feels lazy.
The constant references to pop culture to try and relate to a younger audience really began to annoy me after a while. From the title to the main character Of being a gaming streamer. But the filmmakers don't really know how technology works, holding your phone in the air does not give you more reception. I hate when films waste so much time trying to be hip and down with the kids. By doing this it sacrifices so much time the film could be using to develop characters or create a more compelling narrative.
Overall, #alive is a pretty stupid movie that is just ok the whole way through. Check it out if you like zombie movies.
Technically I didn't think this film was anything special. No element of filmmaking was exceptional, and no element was awful. Granted there were some awful moments, like the editing when people are turning into zombies is laughable. And the cinematography during action scenes was also just dreadful. For the most part though the technical aspects were consistently, fine.
The zombies were very inconsistent. If they are so sensitive to noise why are characters able to talk at all, sometimes when they speak it cuts to hordes of zombies charging in the direction of the sound and this is just forgotten half of the time. Sometimes the zombies are so strong they are able to climb buildings and other times they can't open a door because a step ladder is in the way. I believe this is because of my next point.
Bad screenplay. All but two points of tension in this film are down to coincidence. The same scare is used many times, Oh will be doing something like, for example, flying his drone then there is a bang at the door, it's a zombie, at the same moment his drone runs out of battery. The chances of this happening are so slim. The fact screenwriters Il Cho and Matt Naylor use this stupid scare so many times makes me think they just didn't care when writing this film. The dialogue is bad and everything feels lazy.
The constant references to pop culture to try and relate to a younger audience really began to annoy me after a while. From the title to the main character Of being a gaming streamer. But the filmmakers don't really know how technology works, holding your phone in the air does not give you more reception. I hate when films waste so much time trying to be hip and down with the kids. By doing this it sacrifices so much time the film could be using to develop characters or create a more compelling narrative.
Overall, #alive is a pretty stupid movie that is just ok the whole way through. Check it out if you like zombie movies.
Definitely a one time watch for zombie/survival genre fans.
Fella_shibby29 August 2020
I am generous with an 8 cos i enjoyed the film, simple. Aint no wannabe critic.
Its ur typical zombie/survival film but with less guns n weapons n less fellas. The film also doesn't pay more attention towards the gore but tension is maintained.
Some say that it is similar to The Night eats the World which i havent seen yet. But this shud not deter genre fans from watching this.
Think of the hair
danko-o9 August 2022
Plot holes for days
henkjan_steringa9 September 2020
Not your average, generic zombie movie...
paul_haakonsen27 August 2020
Oddly enough I hadn't even heard about "#Alive" before getting the opportunity to sit down and watch it. And even more surprising is that I am a huge fan of zombie movies, so the fact that "Alive" had eluded me was odd.
Nevertheless, this being the year that the highly anticipated "Peninsula" - the sequel to "Train to Busan" - also coming out, it was a little bit strange to find another zombie movie from the South Korean cinema. Not that I mind that, no, no, no. Not at all. In fact "#Alive" (aka "#Saraitda") actually turned out to be more enjoyable and entertaining than "Peninsula" was. Yeah, I know, right...
Anyway, I will say that "#Alive" is not your average run-of-the-mill zombie movie. And I love the way that the movie starts out and just throws the audience right into the action. That was just glorious. I liked that so much, because the zombie action is what is enjoyable, not the things leading up to it.
The acting in "#Alive" was good, and the lead actor and actress managed to carry the movie quite well, especially since there were hardly any other performers in the movie with dialogue.
The zombie make-up and effects were good, and taking into consideration that this was in the beginning of an outbreak, you shouldn't expect to see fully decomposed shambling corpses. Normally I am not overly keen on running and agile zombies, but I will say that it actually worked out well enough in "#Alive", for some reason.
If you enjoy zombie movies, then you definitely should take the time to sit down and watch the 2020 movie "#Alive" from writer and director Il Cho, because it does bring new contents to the zombie genre.
I am rating "#Alive" a six out of ten star. Quite worth the time, money and effort, and a well-worthy addition to the zombie genre. So it seems that 2020 did end up with a proper zombie movie after all.
Nevertheless, this being the year that the highly anticipated "Peninsula" - the sequel to "Train to Busan" - also coming out, it was a little bit strange to find another zombie movie from the South Korean cinema. Not that I mind that, no, no, no. Not at all. In fact "#Alive" (aka "#Saraitda") actually turned out to be more enjoyable and entertaining than "Peninsula" was. Yeah, I know, right...
Anyway, I will say that "#Alive" is not your average run-of-the-mill zombie movie. And I love the way that the movie starts out and just throws the audience right into the action. That was just glorious. I liked that so much, because the zombie action is what is enjoyable, not the things leading up to it.
The acting in "#Alive" was good, and the lead actor and actress managed to carry the movie quite well, especially since there were hardly any other performers in the movie with dialogue.
The zombie make-up and effects were good, and taking into consideration that this was in the beginning of an outbreak, you shouldn't expect to see fully decomposed shambling corpses. Normally I am not overly keen on running and agile zombies, but I will say that it actually worked out well enough in "#Alive", for some reason.
If you enjoy zombie movies, then you definitely should take the time to sit down and watch the 2020 movie "#Alive" from writer and director Il Cho, because it does bring new contents to the zombie genre.
I am rating "#Alive" a six out of ten star. Quite worth the time, money and effort, and a well-worthy addition to the zombie genre. So it seems that 2020 did end up with a proper zombie movie after all.
I am pleasantly surprised.
heatherhbt22 January 2021
I was very skeptical going into this movie however, it did turn out to be one worth watching. I would at least top 10. I will say it went a smidge downhill somewhere in the middle but came back. The main guy kinda makes me mad with some of the things he does, granted he's doing the best he can and hasn't probably watch a million zombie movies but dude.. it's a given.. stay quite... anyway, It's not one where you just want to finish just to say you watch it it's not that dreadful. It's pretty good I personally have problems with it Bc some of the things he does irks me but that's just me. So go watch it you shouldn't be sorry you did it's not one of those b rated ones.
The director's hard work pays off
Leofwine_draca9 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
#ALIVE is a South Korean film with a very simplistic and familiar presence - a young man hides out in his apartment during a zombie apocalypse - that some have linked to the French indie THE NIGHT EATS THE WORLD. But then it is a very generic kind of premise that I had the idea of writing myself a decade or so ago. In any case, films like this live or die depending on the execution, and the good news is that #ALIVE is a winner thanks to plenty of hard work on the part of the director, who wrings maximum suspense, humour and action from that premise. It's fast-paced and engaging, saddled with an annoying but realistic lead who grows on you as the story progresses, and a great female supporting character. The zombies are the scary ones you'll remember from TRAIN TO BUSAN and KINGDOM, making this all the more gripping.
I"ll stay alive.
daphleung11 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This movie simply told the virus which spread suddenly without explanation, just like recent zombie-related movies. But ALIVE stood out because the pace was fast, a tense atmosphere had raised within 15 minutes.
There were many scenes of flesh-eating zombies in the movie, and it was surprising those zombies had different characteristics. They kept own and while living behaviours e.g. a dead fireman climbed building with a string or a dead security guard patrolled in the corridor.
Though the movie used a single appointment building as the main filming site, it wasn't boring and its topic was down to earth. Quite interesting that if imagine one day you were trapped in an apartment without WIFI, food or electricity, but had to face blood-covered zombies, how you figured your own system of survival.
There were many scenes of flesh-eating zombies in the movie, and it was surprising those zombies had different characteristics. They kept own and while living behaviours e.g. a dead fireman climbed building with a string or a dead security guard patrolled in the corridor.
Though the movie used a single appointment building as the main filming site, it wasn't boring and its topic was down to earth. Quite interesting that if imagine one day you were trapped in an apartment without WIFI, food or electricity, but had to face blood-covered zombies, how you figured your own system of survival.
Decent
Mokhtaryassen4 August 2020
Dumb and Dumber
lexva524 September 2020
I could not measure who are the dumbest beings in this movie. Our protagonist continually at a loss, or the zombies who have inconsistent parameters when to attack?
After half an hour of cliché after cliché and continuously dumb choices (opening the apartment door to check on a zombie scuffle, shouting from a balcony to avert a zombie scuffle, setting a drone on a low battery etc ) made by the main film protagonist I could not stomach this any longer and could not care less what was going to happen to anyone
I am Legend is a much superior zombie movie on a man fighting it alone in a zombie world. Similarly for 28 days Later.
I am Legend is a much superior zombie movie on a man fighting it alone in a zombie world. Similarly for 28 days Later.
WE ARE STILL HERE!
maarcoscisterna1 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The truth if you think it is like Train to Busan, it is not of this type. It is a lighter film, but also very innovative since its plots are very different. He has a very good actor, since he is the one who deals the most with the film. As always, Park Shin Hye's vibe adds a great contribution, I love this actress. And regarding zombies, the truth is that they are disturbing in a way and if I can consider this movie a little more morbid, you can even see how zombies take their bodies to eat them with others! The only downside is that sometimes you think, How come zombies don't attack them right away? Well, it is a movie and the protagonists must fight to survive. Just think of it this way and enjoy, because it's a great movie. From beginning to end.
Decent Effort
nirvashj_jv8 September 2020
So much inconsistencies throughout the whole film that you can't take the show seriously and it's full of clichés too that it's so easy to predict what's going to happen. It's still enjoyable to an extent and the production definitely carried the show to still be a good zombie movie.
Repeated zombie flick
la-331848 September 2020
quarantine mood
eliza_kith11 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Honestly I really enjoyed this film, even though it had lots of plot holes. The acting was believable (I don't speak Korean but some who do say the delivery of some lines sounded off though). I normally don't care for zombie movies but this was a fun watch. Act 1 and 2 depicted isolation in the pandemic and I really felt that oof. The storyline is rather cliched, but I still had a fun time watching the film :)
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