Every week, I like to scroll through Netflix’s page for new and trending releases to see what’s coming and what to keep on my radar.
Months ago, I spotted the dark thriller series “The Resurrected” in its coming soon section, with nothing but a mysterious cover image and a very brief synopsis. Even with just those scraps of information, my interest was piqued.
“The Resurrected” is a Taiwanese revenge thriller in which two desperate mothers resurrect the deceased ringleader of a telecommunications fraud ring to avenge their kidnapped daughters. It’s not a premise I’ve ever come across before, as bringing someone back to life solely for revenge is a pretty wild hook.
After months of waiting, we finally have our first trailer, along with a release date of October 9. That’s pretty perfect timing for the Halloween lead-up.
On death row, Chang Shih-kai (Fu Meng-Po) is strapped to the execution platform. His mother, Yueh-sin (Chung Hsin-ling), wears an unsettling smile as she looks on, while two women, Wang Hui-chun (Shu Qi) and Chao Ching (Sinje Lee), the relatives of his victims, watch with cold detachment.
The execution is over in moments. For Wang, it brings no closure, only a sharper edge to her grief and fury. In a cruel twist, death feels less like justice for Chang and more like an escape.
Refusing to let him slip away so easily, Wang and Chao perform a forbidden ritual that pulls him back from the grave, but only for seven days. In that brief span, Chang finds himself stripped of freedom and trapped in their unrelenting quest for vengeance, enduring both physical torment and moral reckoning.
Of course, resurrecting such evil comes with consequences, and the trailer makes it clear that their revenge soon spirals out of control.
What else do we know about ‘The Resurrected’ on Netflix?
Along with the trailer and release date, we also got a longer synopsis that delves deeper into the story: “Set in the fictional city of Benkha, The Resurrected centers on two mothers united by hatred, seeking revenge for their daughters caught in a fraud and kidnapping case.
“With help from a mysterious goddess, they revive the deceased ringleader of the fraud scheme to punish him. Yet, despite inflicting relentless pain, their fury remains unquenched. As dark secrets unravel, their alliance is tested, forcing them to confront the limits of justice and their own morality.”
Safe to say my excitement has grown even bigger after hearing about the “mysterious goddess” aspect, and it makes sense to have that given these two women resurrect the dead.
Helmed by Leste Chen (“Eternal Summer”) and Hsu Chao-jen (“Living”), this revenge thriller brings together a strong creative team.
Leading the cast are internationally acclaimed actresses Shu Qi and Sinje Lee, making their first appearance in a Chinese-language Netflix series. The lineup also includes a special guest role from Golden Horse Award winner Alyssa Chia.
Shu Qi said (h/t Variety): “I’m really looking forward to it. When I first received the script, I felt it was a bold and groundbreaking story — not just for me as an actress, but also for Chinese-language series in general. I’ve already seen some rough cuts during dubbing, but when I saw the teaser, I still went, ‘Wow!'”
Sinje Lee also added: “I’ve never encountered a female-driven story that’s so intense, a little wild, and deeply emotional. It was such a thrill to be a part of it, and of course, I’m even more excited for the day we get to share it with audiences around the world.”
Fu Meng-po, who takes on the role of the incredibly evil antagonist role, said: “The storyline is both fantastical and thrilling, and the moral conflicts between the characters are absolutely gripping.”
From these quotes alone, I'm hooked, and I'm glad that Netflix is growing its Chinese-language slate for 2025.
“The Resurrected” is already on my must-watch list, and I’m even more excited for the colder months to roll around. Being a Halloween lover, I’m always on the lookout for darker thrillers to dive into, and Netflix is delivering with this supernatural series dropping at the start of October.
Even better, the first two episodes will be showcased at the 30th Busan International Film Festival this September, so we’re bound to start seeing early reactions and buzz well before the official release.
The premise alone has me hooked because it feels fresh compared to the usual revenge thrillers. The idea of bringing someone back to life for revenge is a bold concept and one I haven't really seen before. With such talented directors and actors involved, I’m confident it’s going to be intense and emotional.
Stream “The Resurrected” on Netflix starting October 9.
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