I'm reviewing both "Dead Set" and "Reality Z" together since the later is a remake of the first (with several changes). Both are currently available on NetFlix.
"Dead Set" is a 2008 British series created by Charlie Brooker (of "Black Mirror" fame). It follows several fictional participants of the reality TV series Big Brother. It was filmed on the actual Big Brother set. What the people inside the house dont realize is the zombie apocalypse has broken out in London (and apparently around the rest of the world). They are some of the few people left alive.
The initial survivors of the production crew are production assistant Kelly and producer Patrick. He's a big jerk (both before and after the event). The housemates include: Marky, Veronica, Grayson, Joplin, Angle, Space and Pippa. Over five episodes we watch the group try to stay alive. We also have Kelly's boyfriend Riq trying to make it back to the house to save her.
"Reality Z" is a 2020 Brazilian remake of "Dead Set" (so there are 12 years between the two). This time the action movies to Rio de Janero at what is called Olympus (giving the show a Greek gods theme). There is IRL a Big Brother Brasil (but I guess they opted not to go with that show). The housemates on Olympus include: TK, Jessica, Augusto, Marcos, Veronica, Madonna) as well as the production crew (Nina and Brand). The first five episodes follow the plot the "Dead Set"ALMOST EXACTLY. It then spins off into a new story line for the next four. Gone is the plot point of the production assistant's boyfriend trying to get back to the house. New characters include a politician (Levy) and his assistant (Cristina) trying to get out of the city. They run into a son (Leo) and mother (Ana) as well as some police officers and a woman they have under arrest (Teresa).
A few thoughts:
- Appearances by several actual Big Brother contestants/winners in episode 1 of "Dead Set" was fun. Also IRL Big Brother host (at the time) Davina McCall plays the same role in the series. "Reality Z" changes Davina's character to Davinia and is Sabrina Sato (who previously was a participant on Big Brother Brasil).
- There has been considerable criticism online that "Reality Z" is just a copy of "Dead Set". I'm not sure what the big dead is. "Reality Z" makes no secret that it's a remake. Successful shows are remade for different audiences (and in different languages) all the time. One of the most prominent examples is the Australian women in prison series "Wentworth". There are some at least four more versions of it. In Germany it's called "Block B", the Netherlands "Celblok H", Belgium "Gent West", and Turkey "Avlu" (also available on NetFlix).
- The first to die on the both shows are a black woman and a trans woman (gay guy in "Dead Set"). Come on. There are plenty of other people to kill. Why fall back on this tired old horror trope? Why not kill a sexy blond girl first? People wont expect that.
- I would have like the show to have followed Kelly/Nina more.She seemed like she might be the final girl. She is someone I could root for during the zombie apocalypse.
- In the end "Reality Z" seems to be making points about the have and have nots, sharing resources etc. As a final act, Teresa hides a cell phone in the wall hoping someone will later find it. She says "Don't repeat our mistakes. Be more human that us" and then open the gates. That part felt a bit flat to me. Yes, people do here what they always do in zombie movies. Some jerks either try to steal everything or take control of the situation. Not sure that will ever change.
Grade: First came 2002's British "Dead Set". Then 12 years years we got a remake with a Brazilian twist with "Reality Z". If forced to choose between the two series, I gotta say I liked "Reality Z the best. It's probably because the story expanded outside the TV studio. Also the zombies look good in both but they took it up a notch in "Reality Z". While I have some criticisms, I still enjoyed both series and would like to see more. I'm glad they didnt sugar coat the ending. These series remind me of "Z Nation" spinoff "Black Summer". No one is safe during the zombie apocalypse and, as always, humans are a bigger threat than the undead.
Photo Credits:
https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/why-reality-z-wont-return-for-a-second-season/
https://www.netflix.com/title/81003028
TV: Heavy On Sci Fi, Horror & Fantasy; Light On Reality
April 3, 2021
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