Movie Review: My Daughter Is A Zombie

My Daughter Is a Zombie is one of the most polarizing movies I’ve seen this year, and I mean that in the best way possible. Directed by Pil Gam-sung, this South Korean horror-comedy balances scares, laughs, and heart-wrenching emotion so seamlessly that you never quite know if you’ll be laughing or crying in the next scene.

The story follows Jung-hwan (Jo Jung-suk), a tiger trainer, who desperately tries to protect his daughter Soo-a after she becomes infected by a zombie virus. As they retreat to the rural home of his mother Bam-sun (Lee Jung-eun), the film shifts from being a typical zombie flick into something much deeper: a heartfelt family drama. While the zombie premise is intriguing, the real weight of the story comes from the father-daughter bond, layered with themes of resilience, hope, and unconditional love.

What I love most is how every character shines in their own way, contributing something meaningful to the story. The comedy is witty without being over-the-top slapstick, the horror is present but never overwhelming, and the emotional beats hit harder than I expected. Honestly, I found myself teary-eyed even at the beginning, and by the end, I was fully sobbing, classic Korean cinema at its best.

For longtime K-pop fans like me, the soundtrack is a treat, featuring nostalgic hits from BoA and 2NE1 that make the viewing experience even more memorable. It reminded me of how South Korea has always excelled at delivering emotionally charged family dramas, with classics like Miracle in Cell No. 7 and Wedding Dress still lingering in my memory years later.

Overall, My Daughter Is a Zombie is easily in my top 10 movies of the year. It’s a family drama wrapped in zombie horror-comedy clothing, and it works brilliantly. I’m giving this movie a solid 10/10! The best family drama of the year so far.

P/S: Cat lovers will also enjoy this movie!