High quality filmed
Fantasy action horror involving Maori warriors
First episode is pretty good
Shot in beautiful locations
52 Reviews
Horror fantasy Maori
celt00723 January 2020
Very interesting
Ashitaka13724 January 2020
Surprise tv show
awdunn-2748125 January 2020
Welcome to the Jungle
greenwhich24 January 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This series is painful to watch it makes your eyes bleed.
The dialogue consists mostly of one syllable words and swearwords, followed by a succession of grunts, onks, and hoots. The fighting chereography if you can call it that has been fully prepared, it's not fluid. Somebody spins a spear grunting and waits for somebody else to spin a cudgel hooting, me smash, no, smash better, kill you, suddenly there's the gore. The gore has been overly expressed giving credence to the very bad choreography. The camerawok sets itself into a moody colouring scheme of 300 or something. This is Sparta. Except they have no other reason or rationality. They're cannibals.
The show has given us the primate, and these people are neanderthals. The lore is seemingly some other worship of rocks, trees, and mudhuts. As the dead they have no other empathy for, just their primative nature.
Avoid. Consider a B no make that a Z budget of Apocalypto.
The dialogue consists mostly of one syllable words and swearwords, followed by a succession of grunts, onks, and hoots. The fighting chereography if you can call it that has been fully prepared, it's not fluid. Somebody spins a spear grunting and waits for somebody else to spin a cudgel hooting, me smash, no, smash better, kill you, suddenly there's the gore. The gore has been overly expressed giving credence to the very bad choreography. The camerawok sets itself into a moody colouring scheme of 300 or something. This is Sparta. Except they have no other reason or rationality. They're cannibals.
The show has given us the primate, and these people are neanderthals. The lore is seemingly some other worship of rocks, trees, and mudhuts. As the dead they have no other empathy for, just their primative nature.
Avoid. Consider a B no make that a Z budget of Apocalypto.
Underrated
cboubouras24 January 2020
I cannot understand the low rating given to this series?
I've watched the first two episodes and i find it more engaging and entertaining than most of the formulaic tripe offered up at the moment. It's a refreshingly original storyline set in pre-european New Zealand. So far the plot line convincingly conveys the universal story of honour and redemption from a moari perspective, with a bit of humour thrown in for good measure. I'm finding the characters are well developed and engaging to the extent that after only two episodes I'm empathetic with the the evolving and converging plot lines of the two main actors.
To top it off the cinematography and scenery are brilliant. Can't wait for the next episode
Not bad movie
ghkanaan4 March 2020
only made it halfway through the first one.
xenephatx26 January 2020
It's good if you go in with an open mind
justinmichaelpayne25 January 2020
Honestly, I'm really enjoying this show so far. It's a little cheesy, but I think it embraces that and comes out better for it. I'm so sick of The Walking Dead and all the clones that take themselves seriously, this is fresh. Silly yes, but it has heart and the characters are all interesting and fit well. It's part horror, part fantasy and part comedy. I really don't understand the bad reviews. People just suck nowadays. Everyone wants the same thing. Marvel movies, big actors and lots of explosions. That stuff couldn't bore me more. Kudos to this show for trying something different. The two main characters are dope, love their building chemistry in episode 2. Really surprised how much I dig it lol. Might have to go watch the movie after this season
Disappointing writing
VakonaWatcher18 September 2021
I really liked the series in the beginning, I was fascinated to learn more about the culture and its traditions. And when the dead showed up, all the more interesting and fun. When they began to show up, living feared them. One dead man could take many hits and not feel any impact, just keep going. They fight also quite well with weapons. A skilled Waka struggled against one in the first episode. But on the last episode, Waka just beheads them as if it is nothing.
It changed halfway through the first season where the dead became dumb and kept screaming at the living instead of fighting them properly, despite having outnumbered them. They go down after a few hits, some even beheaded after one or two slashes. Most of them are suddenly not skilled with weapons anymore, all they do is swing like 5 year old kids. They rush at the living people like hordes of zombies from TWD.
The dialogue between the characters is a bit off, and reminds me of the modern pattern of conversations. I do not know if that was poor writing, or intentional. And then we have the plot armour... Many characters have made dumb decisions, yet they somehow survive or get out of what seemed like inescapable trap. The guy who freed Waka on the last episode did it for ''many wives'', a sudden change of reason? This character is the coward to run at first sight of Waka losing a fight, and has stated so many times before. But at the ending of last episode, he jumps at a whole horde and frees a tied Waka somehow. For ''many wives''.
This and more other reasons is why I am giving it a 6. The series is great, I like its concept plot, fighting, effects and the details about the culture etc. But I am not going to watch the second season.
It changed halfway through the first season where the dead became dumb and kept screaming at the living instead of fighting them properly, despite having outnumbered them. They go down after a few hits, some even beheaded after one or two slashes. Most of them are suddenly not skilled with weapons anymore, all they do is swing like 5 year old kids. They rush at the living people like hordes of zombies from TWD.
The dialogue between the characters is a bit off, and reminds me of the modern pattern of conversations. I do not know if that was poor writing, or intentional. And then we have the plot armour... Many characters have made dumb decisions, yet they somehow survive or get out of what seemed like inescapable trap. The guy who freed Waka on the last episode did it for ''many wives'', a sudden change of reason? This character is the coward to run at first sight of Waka losing a fight, and has stated so many times before. But at the ending of last episode, he jumps at a whole horde and frees a tied Waka somehow. For ''many wives''.
This and more other reasons is why I am giving it a 6. The series is great, I like its concept plot, fighting, effects and the details about the culture etc. But I am not going to watch the second season.
RDE (Rather Disappointing Experience)
Tweetienator5 February 2020
I will make it short: I like the movie The Dead Lands directed by Toa Fraser (watched it twice), so I gave the show a chance. But the show is simply put in every aspect inferior to the movie: acting, production, storywise etc. So why continue to watch? And all those positive reviews (accept one account) at the time writing my review got only one review done, hohoho...
Anyway, spare your time - if you want good action in ancient Maori times watch the movie, get better entertained and spare your time for more entertaining matters.
Anyway, spare your time - if you want good action in ancient Maori times watch the movie, get better entertained and spare your time for more entertaining matters.
One of the better shows
iceman888697 February 2020
The people writing negative reviews must enjoy only mindless super hero shows like The Flash or The Arrow that are full of just drama. This show actually has a story to it and interesting characters. I have watched up to episode four and have enjoyed every episode. You can tell it is low budget for sure, but the acting and filming is fine.
It is worth a try, if you don't like it, no real loss but a few minutes of your time at trying something new. Think of it this way, at least it is not another remake, reboot or sequel. Hollywood loves all three of those and rarely gives something new a try.
It is worth a try, if you don't like it, no real loss but a few minutes of your time at trying something new. Think of it this way, at least it is not another remake, reboot or sequel. Hollywood loves all three of those and rarely gives something new a try.
Love the bare feet tribesmen with pingpong bats
zeratul1089 April 2021
Big fan of the movie by the same name, tried hard to look for the furthest thing from the mainstream Marvel and Disney stuff.
The show is very fresh, characters, wardrobe, set design all feel very authentic and cultural. Decent story, very engaging and heavy on fantasy elements, sprinkled with a little humor here and there.
It is lacking the strong sense of tribal tradition seen in the movie, and the level of savagery has been toned way down. The english dialogue isn't helping either. It is gravitating towards mainstream, which is my only complaint.
The show is very fresh, characters, wardrobe, set design all feel very authentic and cultural. Decent story, very engaging and heavy on fantasy elements, sprinkled with a little humor here and there.
It is lacking the strong sense of tribal tradition seen in the movie, and the level of savagery has been toned way down. The english dialogue isn't helping either. It is gravitating towards mainstream, which is my only complaint.
Looks good and could be very good to great but isn't
facebook_notification28 February 2020
Looks good and could be very good to great but isn't. It's just a lot of standing around having you wait for something to happen. The weapons are horrible. Are they the real weapons that were used back in the day? Looks like they should be playing ping pong or something. Great idea but not much $ was spent on anything more than having it look good. Get the Head Hunter movie guy to redo this with real weapons and blood and action. Style over content unfortunately which means this is pure arts BS.
Poor female lead
aevumdefluo17 July 2020
Show is great at many points. The female lead character is supposed to be a smart woman. She is supposed to be intelligent and trained to think. She is possibly the dumbest character in the show. She is belligerent, costs people their lives, selfish, etc. I hope they get it right next time.
Remarkable new show that punches well above its weight.
asheanae24 January 2020
Surprised by the low score for this new show.
Having watched the first two episodes, I would say that it has a similar tone and quality to the Mandalorian and The Witcher.
A strong anti-hero, on a long path to redemption, set in a historical, Polynesian, fantasy setting, with exemplary effects for the budget and evocative dialogue, costume and choreography of Maori culture (watching them move, barefoot, and their ritual stances incorporated into their dialogue to show emotion or intent, was a delight), comes together for some of the most immersive world building I've seen.
Add a splash of humour and characters that are at first glance, tropey, but quickly show nuance and the possibility of some really interesting directions for growth and character archs... And a show which undoubtedly has a fraction of the budget of the big hitters like HBO and Disney, can stand along side their best!
Very excited to see where this goes and hopefully get the recognition it deserves.
Having watched the first two episodes, I would say that it has a similar tone and quality to the Mandalorian and The Witcher.
A strong anti-hero, on a long path to redemption, set in a historical, Polynesian, fantasy setting, with exemplary effects for the budget and evocative dialogue, costume and choreography of Maori culture (watching them move, barefoot, and their ritual stances incorporated into their dialogue to show emotion or intent, was a delight), comes together for some of the most immersive world building I've seen.
Add a splash of humour and characters that are at first glance, tropey, but quickly show nuance and the possibility of some really interesting directions for growth and character archs... And a show which undoubtedly has a fraction of the budget of the big hitters like HBO and Disney, can stand along side their best!
Very excited to see where this goes and hopefully get the recognition it deserves.
just watch the movie.
mohammedalanze1813 April 2020
Beautifully Intriguing
kymber796224 January 2020
Why the bad reviews? This series offers a new and interesting tale of culture and tradition. I love the new take on the UNDEAD. Actors are very believable allowing you to suspend belief and be immersed in the tale. Scenery is beautiful. I LOVE it.
Trash
josngash-4718823 April 2020
The most uncreative show I've ever watched, just a bunch of confused characters with some stupid attires, long boring conversations and fighting like 10 year old kids.
This show should be taken down ASAP, it's a total waste of time, I don't even understand how I managed to finish the first episode.
Doesn't even deserve a 1 star rating
Why is critic rating so low?
smoker-096028 July 2020
This show is great. The location looks good, the acting is good, the story is easy to get into and stay with. An action packed Moari take on the undead that plays out well and displays the culture and story telling at the same time.
Really cool
RequiemK26 January 2020
Love this shows vibe, funny and scary in equal measure. Hopefully the kiwi humour can translate to an international audience. One guy thinks the hooting and grunting (as he calls it) is weird, but if you look up a Maori haka at the rugby etc you can see it's part of Maori culture.
This show is fantastic !
jason-honor9 February 2020
Do not be fooled by the low score.. This show is awesome ! The cinematography is magnificent, and the camera shots of New Zealand are breath taking ( Great directing too ! )....The story is not typical Hollywood recycle.. This story has great depth, and comes from a folktale that is rather inspiring, in regard to redemption, honor, justice, and victory over evil.... With so many drab, dismal uninspiring shows these days i find this refreshing...This is a Supernatural Thriller/Horror/Drama with two very charismatic leads...Give it a chance, and you will be hooked......
So much fun so far!
codythomasg8 February 2020
Cool story line, epic scenery and the right amount of attitude. I really enjoyed this, with so many sub par horrors that have been coming out lately that always throw the same old ideas around has just become the norm almost.
But this felt like a breath of fresh air. It seems steeped in traditional New Zealand/Polynesian folklore and legend.
AND. ZOMBIES!!!!
Couldn't get a much more eclectic and unique take on the dead heads.
The Dead Lands is fantastic
aishasobh6 February 2020
Look at this from its own perspective. This is not just 'another zombie' series. It's a fantastic show imbued with the mythology of the Maori. It has beautiful cinematography, high production values, authentic action scenes, strong female roles and portrays the culture being invaded by the Land of the Dead...(hmmmm....who are they really?). Class/tribal/human foibles and mythos from a micro- to a macro scale. Go for this, stick with it...there is nothing else like it.
Great show !!!!!!
daveygurl-3182930 January 2020
Some interesting comments from some uneducated clowns on here aye Greenwich lol. Yes maori culture is beautiful and brutal at the same time. I understand people dont understand that this was a way of life back then but this show is awesome and those were brutal times and this captures it.
So for those reading this, this isnt based off make believe, or zombies like some of you Hollywood idiots are used to lol this is based off a real culture, unfortunately some of you will never know that because your so used to seeing CGI and promoting movies mainstream movies lol
So for those reading this, this isnt based off make believe, or zombies like some of you Hollywood idiots are used to lol this is based off a real culture, unfortunately some of you will never know that because your so used to seeing CGI and promoting movies mainstream movies lol
Very interesting and thrilling
dubwize15 February 2020
Up to the fifth episode of the first season and loving it. A good mix of Maori lore mythology history and story. Casting is really well done, cinematography is brilliant. Character development has been very clever showing depth and thought by the writers producers and directors.
Cultural value is exceptional with a very good supporting soundtrack.
Very clever plot lines and execution of delivery of content has been above average for New Zealand content. Loved the original movie and also loving the storylines in this saga which is very well acted with powerful content and with some haunting performances. I can definitely see this extending in seasons as the tales continue. High production value awesome location settings and quality writing makes this one to see and enjoy definitely.
Cultural value is exceptional with a very good supporting soundtrack.
Very clever plot lines and execution of delivery of content has been above average for New Zealand content. Loved the original movie and also loving the storylines in this saga which is very well acted with powerful content and with some haunting performances. I can definitely see this extending in seasons as the tales continue. High production value awesome location settings and quality writing makes this one to see and enjoy definitely.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
