The Walking Dead Dead City Review: Breathing New Life Into the Dead

by Haley June 18, 2023

In the immortal words of the Grateful Dead, “What a long, strange trip it’s been.” And now, just when we thought we’d taken our last step with the ravenous hordes of “The Walking Dead,” we find ourselves on yet another excursion. This time, AMC takes us on a metropolitan detour in its latest spinoff, “The Walking Dead: Dead City.” Where the original series seemed to shy away from the hustle and bustle of city life, “Dead City” plunks us straight into the concrete jungle of a post-apocalyptic Manhattan, a setting both daunting and exciting for our worn-out zombie-killer boots.

“Dead City” takes us on a six-episode journey, tightly honed on two of the most beloved characters from the original series: Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). Their past, colored by brutal betrayals and personal vendettas, is explored in depth throughout the narrative. The real kickstarter of the series is when Maggie’s son is kidnapped by a rogue community in Manhattan, forcing her to form an uneasy alliance with Negan. Despite the duo’s rocky history, the performers’ stellar chemistry injects an electric energy into the narrative. However, not all is smooth sailing. Some early episodes indulge in rehashing their past conflict more than necessary, which could have been better spent propelling the narrative forward.

The series’ brilliance lies in its audacious exploration of the post-apocalyptic Big Apple. A city once teeming with life, now overrun by the living dead, creates a vivid backdrop for the narrative. From undead rats to skyscraper-dwelling zombies, the innovative spins on the classic walkers inject fresh life (or death) into the decade-old franchise. Yet, the city’s portrayal falls a bit short on the local flavor, missing out on Easter eggs that could have lent it a richer texture.

The series also introduces new characters, including a determined marshal played by Gaius Charles. Charles, of “Friday Night Lights” and “Grey’s Anatomy” fame, is a solid addition to the cast, although the character, hunting Negan for reasons revealed over time, adds another layer of complexity to an already tense storyline.

The villainous Croat, performed by the veteran character actor Željko Ivanek, falls a bit flat, missing that menacing touch that made previous villains in the franchise so memorable. His restrained performance feels out of step with the grotesque horror and over-the-top violence that characterize “The Walking Dead” universe.

The concise nature of the six-part series is a blessing. With a smaller cast, “Dead City” can focus on character development and a singular narrative line, a refreshing departure from the main series’ multi-arc chaos. Fans will find this streamlined approach both satisfying and reinvigorating.

“The Walking Dead: Dead City” presents an ambitious, if not entirely smooth, voyage into new territories. It’s a narrative test-case that bristles with promise, setting the stage for what’s to come in the post-mainline era of the franchise. Despite some misses, “Dead City” keeps the franchise’s undead heart beating.