Revenant Zombie vs. Zombie: Key Differences Explained

One of the future topic discussions, this article will explain the differences between these two Zombie Types (with a Bonus!) So sit back, relax, and enjoy the read!




Origin: Generally speaking, and what is written throughout history across multiple cultures, revenants are individuals who have returned from the dead with a specific purpose, often related to seeking revenge or fulfilling an unfinished task.

Characteristics: Revenant Zombies (or Revenants) are usually more intelligent and possess some or most of their memories, motivations, and mannerisms from their previous life. Some will have enhanced physical abilities such as strength and durability and a greater or full degree of control over their actions, some will have a low or high healing factor, and other enhanced powers, but most are more commonly stronger than typical zombies.
 
Popular Culture: Examples include the revenants from folklore and stories like Jason Voorhees from the Friday the 13th Franchise, to "Pet Sematary," where the dead return with a malevolent purpose, or the revenants in certain mythologies and literature, there's also Draugrs, and Victor Crowley from the Hatchet Franchise, and Matthew Cordell from Maniac Cop.

Zombie:

 
Origin: Typically reanimated corpses created through various means such as viral infections, magical rituals, or other supernatural phenomena, this trend was created by George A. Romero, the Father of Modern Zombies, due to his cultural influence for decades and generations to come.

Characteristics: Generally mindless and animalistic by their new nature, they are driven by basic instincts such as hunger for human flesh or brains. They often move slowly and lack higher cognitive functions, and some might have slower or higher decay rate, while some might be able to say limited vocals, they are mostly able to hunt by sight or hearing, and be in collective groups or hordes.

Popular Culture: Examples include the zombies from George Romero's films, The Walking Dead, Resident Evil, Dead Island, Left 4 Dead, War World Z, and various other horror movies and games!



The biggest change in the history of Zombie sub-culture is the Return of the Living Dead Zombies...you can see I didn't add them as a bigger part of the Zombie sections "Popular Culture" because these Zombies are by all definitions "New" so I'll explain the reasons and also give them a new proper title and term for people to use...yes, they are typically classified as zombies, but they have unique characteristics that set them apart from both traditional zombies and revenant zombie based traits...

Characteristics of "The Return of the Living Dead" Zombies:

Origin: These special zombies are reanimated by exposure to the chemical known as 2-4-5 Trioxin, rather than through viral infection, magic, or even a curse.

Intelligence: Unlike our typical zombies, be it George or White Zombie, these zombies can speak and display multiple problem-solving abilities. They can lure and outsmart humans, showing off they have a higher level of intelligence.

Near-Indestructibility: These zombies cannot be killed by conventional means, such as destroying the brain or severing the head. Their resilience is a key difference, they share some uniqueness with a Revenant which is much harder to kill depending on the fiction.

Hunger for Brains: They specifically crave brains, which was explained that eating brains eases the pain of being dead. This differentiates them from the more general flesh-eating zombies of Romero’s films, and started it's own trend for the Brain craving culture.


Not Traditional Zombies: They are not the typical mindless, slow-moving zombies popularized by George A. Romero.

Not Traditional Revenants: Trioxin Zombies don't return with any given or specific purpose or retained memories from their past lives, that drive them toward revenge or completion of an unfinished task, rather they just seek to end their own ends by eating brains.


In the films they aren't called anything "new" but that us fans can simply call them:

Trioxin Zombies: Specifically referencing the 2-4-5 Trioxin chemical that animates them.

So what is a good new term for these special zombies?


I believe the BEST new Classification for these breed of zombies is Sapient Zombies!

Wait let me explain! The term will help emphasize their differences within the zombie genre while acknowledging their intelligence and unique traits compared to traditional zombies, modern zombies, and revenant zombies!

Sapient: This term will help give a Reflection to their higher level of intelligence and ability to speak, strategize, and run!

Zombies: Ofcourse this term is to help retain the core idea that they are still reanimated corpses with a endless hunger for brains and flesh!


In summary, while both revenant zombies and zombies are undead beings, revenant zombies are typically a Zombie that is driven with a specific purpose and retain more of their former intelligence and personality, whereas zombies are usually mindless and driven by primal urges, and in most cases a Revenant Zombie would also be more stronger and dangerous than a regular Zombie!

There will be a second post with the similarities between these two Zombie types as well this was simply about the "Differences".