The Walking Dead is so much more than any one genre

The Walking Dead is so much more than a zombie show, it’s a show about life

If you had to classify The Walking Dead, or any show in the TWD Universe, as a particular genre, what would you choose? Drama? Horror? Action? In truth, the show encompasses so much more than any one genre and it is no wonder that it appeals to so many people across all walks of life.

Traditionally, The Walking Dead has been more widely recognized as either horror or drama. Drama seems more suited for the show because of the intensity of the themes it explores. The walkers are rather surplus to the drama when you get down to it. At the end of the day, shows of the TWD Universe are about people, and the decisions people make, more than the walkers.

That said, the walkers do add a horror element to the show. After all, zombies are seen in horror movies. They’re their own horror genre.

The Walking Dead, then, is both a drama and a horror in the strict sense, but it’s even more than that.

I recently posted on Twitter that I’ve never cried during an episode of The Walking Dead. To be fair, I’m not an overly emotional person and while I have been known to shed a tear during sad shows or movies, I’ve never cried during The Walking Dead.

What surprised me was how many fans shared stories of the moments that made them cry over the course of the show. From intense scenes to the loss of beloved characters, the show evinces deep emotional reactions because fans are so emotionally invested. It’s a truly beautiful thing to have such a well-rounded show that goes beyond being strictly adventure or drama or horror.

We keep talking about the Emmy Awards and how they have snubbed The Walking Dead for ten seasons, ignoring beautiful and powerful performances from a very talented cast. One would think that a show that balances so many intense themes would be a natural contender, but for some reason it isn’t and it’s a travesty.

While the Emmy folks don’t seem to appreciate the show, the TWD Family knows better. The show isn’t just about zombies and it’s not just an adventure story of people trying to survive. It’s a story about people, about humanity, about the desire to live a righteous life in the midst of so many struggles. It’s about family, it’s about hope, it’s about redemption. It’s also about faith and trust, and the need to form bonds with people and to celebrate the people in your life because you never know when things might come crashing down.

The Walking Dead might be considered a horror show, or a drama, but there is no question it is also something much, much more.