The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live review: Rick and Michonne's story makes for the best new spin-off yet

GamesRadar+ VerdictAndrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira have never been better than in The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, which juggles intense, intimate character drama with truly thrilling action sequences. GamesRadar+ Verdict GamesRadar+ Verdict Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira have never been better than in The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, which juggles intense, intimate character drama with truly thrilling action sequences. Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira have never been better than in The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, which juggles intense, intimate character drama with truly thrilling action sequences. Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. So whatcanI gush about? Well… WhileThe Walking Dead: Daryl Dixongave us a tiny taste of it (even if it didn’t see Daryl or Isabelle act on their obvious affections for one another), romance is something that’s been sorely lacking within the ongoing franchise. All’s fair in love and war (Image credit: AMC) The Ones Who Live is far from a straightforward tale of star-crossed lovers, though. Since being brought to the CRM almost a decade ago, Rick (Andrew Lincoln) has staged numerous escape plans, and every failed breakout has slowly chipped away at his survivor spirit. In the present, he’s different from the broken man we met briefly in the opener of The Walking Dead season 7 (after Abraham and Glenn were murdered), however: this Rick has surprisingly made peace with his fate. It’s a refreshingly nuanced – albeit sorry – character development when you consider how frustratingly superhero-like and infallible The Walking Dead’s leads became towards the end of the original show’s run. Who’d have thought that the gun-toting deputy sheriff, who would rather die than bow to the likes of The Governor and Negan, would ever succumb to something akin to Stockholm syndrome? As Rick wrestles with the idea that he might not evenwantto be found anymore, Michonne faces struggles of her own – from run-of-the-mill walker attacks to extreme guilt over leaving her and Rick’s children, RJ and Judith, back in Alexandria. Unlike Rick, who’s obviously known for a fact that he didn’t die on that bridge all those years ago, Michonne has been desperatelyhopingthat if and when she found him, he’d be alive, which sees her forced to navigate much more manic emotions than her somewhat subdued sweetheart. Here, Gurira imbues Michonne with a level of intensity we’ve not really seen since her onscreen introduction to explore all that, and it’s so exciting. In those early days, Rick’s group weren’t sure whether they could trust the wild-eyed, katana-wielding warrior before they discovered her warm goofball side, and it’s fun to hark back to that. Double trouble (Image credit: AMC) While the likes of Matthew Jeffers (brilliant), Pollyanna McIntosh – who’s back in full villain mode as the old selfish, flirty Jadis makes an unexpected comeback – and Lost’s Terry O’Quinn as a morally murky general provide memorable supporting turns, there’s no mistaking that this is Gurira and Lincoln’s gig. Showrunner Scott Gimple has made no secret of the fact that the pair, who also act as executive producers, were heavily involved in the writing of The Ones Who Live, and it shows. Being franchise stalwarts, theyknowthat The Walking Dead was so beloved because of its intimate character drama. Episode 1 may feature some delightful reimagined, rom-com-esque beginnings for our protagonists but episode 4, with its singular setting, is undoubtedly the standout of the chapters we saw in that regard, as it delivers 50 minutes of emotional, and sexy – it’s about time! – dialogue-heavy domestic drama. That’s not to say that The Ones Who Live shrimps on action, though. The latest spin-off kicks off with Rick blasting through a horde of fire-singed zombies and later offers up helicopter crashes, bazooka battles, and even impromptu skydives. Some of the VFX is a little ropey in these more ambitious set-pieces but elsewhere, the gory practical effects are as good as ever. To reveal more about The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live might land me in hot water, so I best wrap this review up here. While I’ve not divulged much in the way of specific plot points, I hope I’ve teased just enough to make you realize that the series' latest spin-off is well worth seeking out. It’s been too long since we’ve spent time with the franchise’s best characters on screen; I’m sure you’ll enjoy the reunion. The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live premieres on AMC and AMC+ on February 25. While we wait, check out our handy guide onhow to watch The Walking Dead franchise in orderor our list of the most excitingnew TV showsheading our way. More info More More about the walking dead the ones who liveThe Walking Dead’s Danai Gurira praises co-star after big death scene in The Ones Who Live episode 5The Walking Dead’s Danai Gurira on introducing rom-com fantasy to the zombie horror franchise in latest spin-off The Ones Who LiveLatestI didn’t know how badly I wanted to grill and gobble up monsters until this upcoming survival roguelike made it look so tastySee more latest► More about the walking dead the ones who liveThe Walking Dead’s Danai Gurira praises co-star after big death scene in The Ones Who Live episode 5The Walking Dead’s Danai Gurira on introducing rom-com fantasy to the zombie horror franchise in latest spin-off The Ones Who LiveLatestI didn’t know how badly I wanted to grill and gobble up monsters until this upcoming survival roguelike made it look so tastySee more latest► More about the walking dead the ones who liveThe Walking Dead’s Danai Gurira praises co-star after big death scene in The Ones Who Live episode 5The Walking Dead’s Danai Gurira on introducing rom-com fantasy to the zombie horror franchise in latest spin-off The Ones Who Live More about the walking dead the ones who live The Walking Dead’s Danai Gurira praises co-star after big death scene in The Ones Who Live episode 5The Walking Dead’s Danai Gurira on introducing rom-com fantasy to the zombie horror franchise in latest spin-off The Ones Who Live The Walking Dead’s Danai Gurira praises co-star after big death scene in The Ones Who Live episode 5 The Walking Dead’s Danai Gurira praises co-star after big death scene in The Ones Who Live episode 5 The Walking Dead’s Danai Gurira on introducing rom-com fantasy to the zombie horror franchise in latest spin-off The Ones Who Live The Walking Dead’s Danai Gurira on introducing rom-com fantasy to the zombie horror franchise in latest spin-off The Ones Who Live LatestI didn’t know how badly I wanted to grill and gobble up monsters until this upcoming survival roguelike made it 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adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King 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“An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Skeleton Crew 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hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”