Syfy’s Revival Season 1, which premiered on June 12, 2025, brings a fresh and intriguing take on the supernatural with its adaptation of the Image Comics series by Tim Seeley and Mike Norton. Set in the small town of Wausau, Wisconsin, this horror-comedy-drama series dives into the aftermath of “Revival Day,” a mysterious event where the recently deceased return to life, unchanged and not quite zombies. With a mix of dark humor, family dynamics, and a twisty murder mystery, Revival offers a compelling, if occasionally uneven, start to what could be a standout series. Here’s our in-depth review of Revival Season 1.
The Premise: A Small Town Grapples with the Undead
Revival kicks off with a chilling yet chaotic scene: corpses in a Wausau morgue spring to life, including one bursting from a crematory in flames. This event, dubbed “Revival Day,” sees everyone who died in the town within a two-week period mysteriously resurrected, appearing and acting as they did before death. Unlike traditional zombie tales, these “revivers” aren’t brain-hungry monsters but complex individuals reintegrating into society, sparking fear, fascination, and division among the living.
The story centers on Dana Cypress (Melanie Scrofano), a sharp-witted, sarcastic police officer and single mother who’s stuck in Wausau due to a government quarantine. Tasked with investigating a peculiar murder case—where the victim is now alive—Dana navigates a town divided into factions: those who accept the revivers, those who fear them as threats, and others looking to exploit the phenomenon. Alongside her sister Em (Romy Weltman), her authoritarian sheriff father Wayne (David James Elliott), and CDC scientist Ibrahim Ramin (Andy McQueen), Dana unravels a web of secrets that tie personal trauma to the broader mystery of Revival Day.
What Works: A Strong Cast and Tonal Balance
Revival shines brightest when it leans into its quirky charm and character-driven storytelling. Melanie Scrofano, known for Wynonna Earp, delivers a captivating performance as Dana Cypress. Her dry humor and chocolate obsession serve as a coping mechanism for the chaos around her, making her both relatable and engaging. Scrofano’s ability to balance sarcasm with vulnerability anchors the show, especially in scenes with her troubled sister Em, whose chemistry with Dana forms the emotional heart of the series.
The show’s tonal mix of horror, comedy, and drama is another strength. Drawing inspiration from Shaun of the Dead and Fargo, Revival blends gallows humor with unsettling supernatural elements. Moments like a reviver smashing a mirror to symbolize fractured lives or a chaotic morgue scene set the stage for a world that’s both eerie and absurdly funny. The writing, led by showrunners Aaron B. Koontz and Luke Boyce, excels at weaving social commentary—touching on fear of the “other” and small-town politics—into the narrative without feeling heavy-handed.
Visually, Revival stands out as one of Syfy’s best-looking shows in recent years, thanks to cinematographers Justin Black and Martin Wojtunik and directors like Amanda Row and Samir Rehem. The rural Wisconsin setting, with its snowy landscapes and claustrophobic small-town vibe, enhances the noir aesthetic, making Wausau a character in its own right.
What Falls Short: A Slow Start and Unexplored Depth
While Revival eventually finds its groove, the first couple of episodes suffer from sluggish pacing and an overload of exposition. The show takes time to introduce its sprawling cast and complex world, which can feel overwhelming for viewers. The time jump to 35 days after Revival Day, while an interesting narrative choice, skips over much of the initial chaos, leaving some philosophical questions—like the religious and ethical implications of resurrection—underexplored.
Critics have noted that the series doesn’t always dig into the deeper ramifications of its premise, focusing more on interpersonal drama than the broader mystery of why the dead returned. For example, the CDC’s investigation, led by Ibrahim, feels like an afterthought compared to the family dynamics and local conflicts. Additionally, while the ensemble cast is solid, some performances, like David James Elliott’s overly serious sheriff, don’t quite mesh with the show’s lighter tone.
Standout Elements: Mystery, Humor, and Social Commentary
Revival Season 1 thrives on its central mystery: what caused Revival Day, and why only in Wausau? The show gradually builds intrigue, with mid-season episodes ramping up the stakes as Dana uncovers connections between the murder case and the town’s darker underbelly, including a cult led by Steven Ogg and a crime syndicate headed by CM Punk. These factions add tension and highlight real-world parallels, such as discrimination against the revivers, which mirrors societal fears of marginalized groups.
The humor, often driven by Dana’s witty one-liners and quirky side characters like Deputy McCray (Nathan Dales), keeps the show from becoming too grim. A standout episode involves a reviver’s violent outburst, which raises questions about their true nature and sets up a thrilling cliffhanger. The series also benefits from its comic book roots, with vibrant visuals and a knack for balancing multiple storylines that converge in satisfying ways by the season’s end.
Critical Reception: A Promising, If Imperfect, Debut
Critics have praised Revival for its unique premise and Scrofano’s standout performance, with Rotten Tomatoes noting its “entertaining tonal variety” and “captivating lead”. IGN describes it as a “somewhat clever, not-quite-zombie show” that feels most alive when embracing its humor. However, some reviews, like The A.V. Club’s, point out that the series “breezes past the heft of its ideas” in favor of drama, earning it a modest 2.8/5 from some outlets.
Fans on X have echoed the excitement, with posts calling the premiere a “mystery box show of the summer” and praising its campy horror vibes. The consensus is that while Revival doesn’t reinvent the genre, it’s a fun, engaging ride for fans of supernatural mysteries and character-driven stories.
Why You Should Watch Revival Season 1
If you’re a fan of Wynonna Earp, Fargo, or The Leftovers, Revival offers a similar blend of quirky characters, small-town drama, and supernatural intrigue. It’s perfect for viewers who enjoy shows that don’t take themselves too seriously while still delivering emotional depth and suspense. While the slow start and occasional lack of focus may deter some, the strong cast, clever writing, and unique premise make it worth sticking with.
Revival Season 1 is available on Syfy, with episodes streaming on Peacock the week after their airing. With six episodes reviewed and a ten-episode season, there’s plenty of room for the show to grow, and its cliffhangers suggest a second season could dive deeper into the mystery.
Final Verdict
Revival Season 1 is a promising debut that balances humor, horror, and heart in a small-town supernatural setting. Melanie Scrofano’s magnetic performance and the show’s quirky charm make it a must-watch for genre fans, despite a slow start and some missed opportunities. Here’s hoping Season 2 leans into the mystery and delivers even more of Wausau’s undead chaos.
Watch it on: Syfy (premiered June 12, 2025) and Peacock
For fans of: Wynonna Earp, Fargo, The Leftovers, Shaun of the Dead
