Marxism is Alive and Well in The Walking Dead

Premiering in 2010, The Walking Dead became a cultural phenomenon and massive commercial success, sparking a host of spin-off series that continue to captivate audiences today. Set against the backdrop of a zombie apocalypse, the franchise features a cast of charismatic characters struggling to survive in a world where modern civilization has collapsed into chaos. The critically acclaimed series attracted millions of viewers and its compelling themes caused viewers to reflect on human nature and the power dynamics that can exist within society.

So why did this series become so popular, and why do apocalyptic zombie shows hold such widespread appeal? Through a Marxist lens, we may find some of these answers. In nearly every one of these stories, a catastrophic event leads to the collapse of society, and the survivors are almost always ordinary, working-class people. The degeneration of society can be seen as a metaphor for the downfall of capitalist structures, where those in power are transformed into mindless, flesh-eating monsters. Ironically, these creatures continue to prey upon the living, representing the relentless consumption inherent in capitalist exploitation. In doing so, they impede the survivors from rising above their lowly circumstances, which symbolizes the barriers the working-class face in overcoming oppression.

Survival for most humans in these shows hinges on the formation of relationships and the sharing of resources and commodities. Some small utopian communities form, providing shelter and safety as people learn to rely on one another. However, these communities are either overrun by the capitalist zombies, or even worse, other groups of humans seeking to expand their power and control. Many of these competing communities are marred by authoritarianism and classism, revealing that when left unchecked, humans often revert to a materialistic society, exploiting each other in the same way the capitalist system fosters inequality. 

Although some characters die and are consumed along the way, the everyday human heroes (the proletarians) often rise above adversity, triumphing over both the “walkers” (common name for zombies), and the oppressive humans (the bourgeoisie). In this way, the survivors become “dependent beings,” at least until the next episode.

The mass appeal of these apocalyptic shows may lie in the oppressed minds of the viewers who subconsciously yearn for the downfall of society as we know it, or in other words, the demise of those empowered by privilege and wealth. Of course, in a zombie apocalypse, few viewers imagine themselves as capitalist zombies, but rather as survivors fighting against the dominant forces that threaten to consume them. Is our world really all that different?