This Video Does Not Show Zombies in China

Misbar investigated the circulating claim and found it to be misleading. The video is from a zombie-themed attraction in a train station in Indonesia. 

After conducting a thorough keyword search, Misbar’s team found a photo featuring an actor wearing special effects makeup similar to the “Zombie” in the circulating claim.

The photo, which can be seen below, was featured in an article reporting on the “Train to Apocalypse” initiative in Indonesia.

Moreover, many women in the circulating video are wearing a Hijab.

“Train to Apocalypse” in Indonesia 

In August 2022, Indonesia’s transportation officials launched the “Train to Apocalypse,” initiative. The zombie-themed attraction was designed in order to encourage young people to use public transport more often.

In addition to promoting public transport, the “Train to Apocalypse” was also a form of public entertainments.

According to the Head of Corporate Secretary Division PT LRT Jakarta, Sheila Indira Maharshi, the Jakarta Light Rail Transit is accustomed to hosting creatively entertaining events.

Many Twitter users discussed the initiative at the time. 

“Train to Busan”

The film which inspired the “Train to Apocalypse” initiative in Indonesia is the South Korean horror film “Train to Busan.”

The 2016 Yeon Sang-ho film follows the story of a father and his daughter trying to survive a zombie outbreak on a high-speed train from Seoul to Busan. The film brims with tacit criticism of class division and the corporate greed of capitalism. 

COVID-19 and Zombies

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the relationship between viral illness and monstrosity hit a new climax. 

Some people compared people abiding by the mask regulations to brainless zombies. Additionally, some conspiracy theorists and social media users alleged that COVID-19 or its vaccines can turn people into violent zombie-like creatures.

Viruses and Zombies in Popular Culture

As the claim suggests, the zombie outbreak came hand-in-hand with a virus outbreak.

The link between zombies and viruses has been extensively explored in films and popular culture. 

Some of the most prominent examples include the 2002 British post-apocalyptic horror film “28 Days Later” directed by Danny Boyle. “28 Days Later” shows the mayhem that takes place after a viral outbreak turns most of the population of the United Kingdom into aggressive, flesh-eating zombies referred to as the “infected.”

Similarly, “World War Z” is a 2013 American apocalyptic horror film directed by Marc Forster. The film is based on the 2006 novel of the same name by Max Brooks. In the film, Brad Pitt plays the role of Gerry Lane, a former United Nations investigator as he travels the world to find a way to stop a zombie pandemic. 

Finally, a timely example is “The Last of US.” As a video game, “The Last of Us” was considered a masterpiece. Initially released in 2013, the game was developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. 

“The Last of Us” takes place in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a fungal pandemic that turned most of the infected population into monstrous zombies.

HBO’s recent adaptation of the video game was renewed for a second season after the first season’s global success. 

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