Zombie For Sale (2019) - Asian Horror Review
Welcome to Sensei Sensibility! You are the hungry mind yearning to devour Asian horror themed cinema; I am the (questionably) knowledgeable Sensei, more than happy to satiate your cinematic appetite.
Here on Sensei Sensibility we’ve covered plenty of ghosts ‘n’ ghouls (and even a gangster), no wonder we’re feeling peckish for something more… meaty… and delicious… like juicy, juicy braaaaaaains. (Or cabbages!)
The Odd Family: Zombie on Sale, or as it’s succinctly known on Shudder: Zombie For Sale is a 2019 Korean zom-com that chomps away at the genre… and spits it back out.
Against the backdrop of a thunderously dark and stormy night, a zombie escapes from a local big pharma complex. Zombie-ism being an unexpected side-effect of a new diabetes drug, this once-test-subject is now making a beeline for the local village.
That would be a sinister enough opening to any horror movie were it not for the fact that our zombie, adorably played by Jung Ga-Ram, is the most ineffective zombie to ever stumble (and fall) across the movie screen.
From jeering school kids to being chased hilariously by the local dog, Zombie Boy’s introduction to the villagers is far from frightening. In fact, he even has a “meet cute” with gorgeous young Hae-Gul (Lee Soo-Kyung). His meeting with Hae-Gul’s elderly father, Man-deok, (played by award-winning Park In-Hwan) on the other hand, is less than sweet.
Man-Deok is bitten by Zombie Boy, yet instead of becoming a frothing, mindless agent of the undead, regains his youth and vitality! Gone are his grey hairs and wrinkles, strong is his piss stream and jealous are his decrepit peers.
What is Man-Deok’s secret!? His aged chums will pay any amount for one last chance at being young… no matter the ultimate cost.
Zombie Boy, or Jong-Bi as he’s soon christened, is swiftly adopted/held captive by Man-Deok, Hae-Gul and their quirky, dysfunctional family. Living in their shed and existing primarily on a zombetarian diet of cabbage with a side of ketchup, (in lieu of a real brains and blood) Jong-Bi earns the family their fortune by biting eldery, paying residents, thus reversing for them the cruel passage of time.
This is certainly an unconventional revenue stream, but one that affords this struggling family the opportunity to rise out of poverty and rebuild their family business.
All seems to be going so well, let’s just hope nobody falls in love with Jong-Bi or double-crosses their family members for personal monetary gain. And let’s face it, while having a literal member of the undead go around noshing on members of the community might seem like a novel idea at the time, the long term effects are still unknown.
And possibly… apocalyptic.
This is a big budget production with explosive action scenes and gruesome special effects, but still manages to be ghoulish and accessible. It also has the honour of containing the funniest scene I’ve ever witnessed in a horror comedy - apologies to Shaun of the Dead. I don’t want to spoil it for you, but let’s just say… if you have glow sticks to hand while watching, they won’t go to waste.
My one complaint is that at nearly two hours, for what it is, it’s overlong. Some scenes definitely overstay their welcome and aren’t always fully comprehensible or propel the plot. A good fifteen minutes could have been bitten off without detriment to the viewer’s enjoyment.
That being said, Zombie For Sale is a thrilling, heart-warming romp; and while zombies generally aren’t known for their dazzling personality and witty repartee, Jong-Bi is the stupidest (yet most endearing) zombie you’re likely to ever see on film. I defy you not to get a weird crush on this mewling, dopey monster.
Streaming now on Shudder, it’s the perfect pre-Halloween viewing. Though maybe opt for candy instead of cabbages to munch on while you watch.
If you liked this, you'll love The Sadness (2021)
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