What is the plot?

The series begins on Revival Day in Wausau, Wisconsin, when dozens of recently deceased citizens inexplicably rise from their graves fully intact, with memories and personalities preserved. The dead who return, called "Revivers," are not zombies; they do not crave flesh but possess regenerative healing powers. The event shocks the town and prompts a lockdown enforced by the CDC, who restrict movement in and out of Wausau to study the phenomenon. Officer Dana Cypress, a single mother and local cop, witnesses the dead rising firsthand and becomes involved in managing the town's tense atmosphere and growing distrust toward the Revivers.

About a month after Revival Day, 47 Revivers have been identified, all of whom died within two weeks before the event. The town is divided between those who want to accept the Revivers, those who fear or hate them, and others who seek to exploit the situation. The police begin marking the homes of registered Revivers and stamping their IDs to monitor them. Dana's daughter, Detective Dana Cypress, is drawn into a murder investigation where both living and Revivers are suspects, complicating the case.

Dana and her partner Em encounter Blaine, a man who admits to having seen Em on Revival Day after retrieving an abandoned car. Dana follows a trail of clues and discovers that Aaron, a key figure connected to the case, had rented the abandoned car under a false alias. Meanwhile, Dana and Em confront Blaine about his knowledge, which deepens the mystery surrounding the events of Revival Day.

Em is forced to attend anger management counseling with psychologist Nithiya Weimar, who is revealed to be Aaron's wife. During therapy, Em recalls that her likely killer was wearing a distinctive wedding ring--the same ring she vomited after resurrecting. A pawnshop owner later confirms the ring belonged to Aaron, linking him directly to Em's attempted murder.

Aaron's office is ransacked, and he becomes paranoid, threatening to expose whoever is attacking him. He calls Dana and requests a meeting to confess. Em arrives at the meeting place before Dana and confronts Aaron. Aaron admits to kidnapping Em but denies killing her. Suddenly, a masked man shoots Aaron dead. Dana arrives moments later and is also shot by the same assailant. Em retaliates by shooting the masked man in the arm, forcing him to flee.

Meanwhile, Dana's daughter Jordan and Cooper, a friend, are camping when they witness a glowing creature outside their tent, adding a supernatural element to the unfolding events. The presence of this creature hints at deeper mysteries connected to Revival Day and the nature of the Revivers.

Throughout the series, the town grapples with fear, suspicion, and the social upheaval caused by the Revivers' return. Religious theories and rumors circulate, and haunting sounds from the nearby woods unsettle the townsfolk. The CDC continues its investigation, but no clear explanation emerges for the phenomenon.

The series ends with unresolved tensions: the murder mystery remains partially unsolved, the true nature of the Revivers and the glowing creature is still unclear, and the town remains divided and on edge. Dana, Em, and other characters are left to navigate a world forever changed by Revival Day, with the threat of violence and supernatural forces looming.

What is the ending?

The TV show Revival (2025) ends with a tense confrontation where Aaron, who had kidnapped Em but not killed her, is shot dead by a masked assailant. Dana, arriving shortly after, is also shot. Em retaliates by shooting the attacker in the arm, who then flees. The police continue marking and registering Revivers, while Cooper and Jordan witness a mysterious glowing creature. Em seeks anger management counseling and confides in Aaron's wife, Nithiya. The ending leaves the fate of Dana uncertain and highlights ongoing mysteries around the Revivers and the town's uneasy situation.


The ending unfolds scene by scene as follows:

  1. A disfigured Reviver breaks into Aaron's house and steals a flash drive, which is then delivered to investigative journalist May Tao. This sets the stage for uncovering hidden truths about the events surrounding Revival Day.

  2. Em and Dana confront Blaine, who admits to having seen Em on Revival Day after retrieving an abandoned car. This reveals connections between characters and deepens the mystery of Revival Day.

  3. The police begin marking homes and stamping IDs of all registered Revivers, showing the government's increasing control and surveillance over the town's population of the undead.

  4. While camping, Cooper and Jordan witness a glowing creature outside their tent, introducing a supernatural element that remains unexplained but ominous.

  5. Dana follows clues and discovers Aaron had rented the abandoned car under a false alias, indicating his secretive and possibly dangerous behavior.

  6. Em attends anger management counseling and confides in Nithiya Weimar, Aaron's wife, about her struggles, showing her emotional turmoil and the personal impact of the events.

  7. Em recalls that her likely killer wore a wedding ring she had thrown up after resurrecting. She learns from a pawnshop owner that the ring belonged to Aaron, linking him directly to her attempted murder.

  8. Aaron's office is ransacked, and he becomes paranoid. He threatens to expose his aggressor over the phone and requests Dana meet him to confess. This builds tension and suggests Aaron's guilt or knowledge of deeper conspiracies.

  9. Em reaches Aaron first. He admits to kidnapping her but denies killing her. Before he can say more, a masked man shoots Aaron dead. This sudden violence escalates the conflict dramatically.

  10. Dana arrives moments later and is also shot by the masked man, leaving her fate uncertain. Em retaliates by shooting the attacker in the arm, who then flees, ending the immediate threat but leaving many questions unanswered.

The main characters' fates at the end are:

  • Aaron: Killed by a masked assailant after confessing to kidnapping Em.
  • Dana: Shot by the masked man shortly after Aaron; her survival is left unclear.
  • Em: Survives the shooting, shoots the attacker in the arm, and remains a central figure confronting the ongoing mystery.
  • Cooper and Jordan: Witness a glowing creature, suggesting ongoing supernatural elements.
  • Nithiya Weimar: Confidante to Em, representing personal connections amid chaos.

The ending emphasizes unresolved tensions between the living and the Revivers, the mystery of Revival Day, and the dangers lurking within the town. It closes on a note of suspense and uncertainty about the true nature of the threats facing the characters and the community.

Who dies?

Yes, several characters die in the 2025 TV show Revival, and their deaths are central to the plot and mysteries of the series.

  • Em Cypress: Em is dead before the series begins and is one of the "Revivers"--people who have come back to life after dying within a two-week period. The cause of Em's death is a major mystery in the show. It is revealed that she was involved with her professor Aaron Weimer, who took her from a bridge the night she died. Although Aaron insists he did not kill her, Em confronts him and then he is shot by an unknown sniper. Em's death and revival are key to the unfolding story.

  • Dana Cypress: Dana, Em's sister, is shot in the stomach in episode 4 during a confrontation involving Em and Aaron. The bullet passes through Dana and hits Em, who collapses. Dana's fate is left uncertain at the end of the episode, but a preview for episode 5 confirms she survives, though she is in critical condition. Dana's injury sidelines her, allowing Em to take a more central role in the story.

  • Blaine Abel: While not explicitly confirmed as dead in the search results, Blaine Abel is a significant antagonist who gathers followers against the Revivers. Rose's body is found in the trunk of a car at Blaine's junkyard, suggesting Blaine's involvement in violent events, but the details of his death, if any, are not provided in the available information.

  • Rose: Rose is found dead in the trunk of a car at Blaine's junkyard, indicating she was killed before the events of the show. The circumstances of her death are part of the mystery surrounding Blaine Abel and the Revivers.

In summary, Em is dead and revived, her death is mysterious and linked to Aaron Weimer and a sniper shooting. Dana is critically wounded by gunfire but survives. Rose is found dead, and Blaine Abel is implicated in violent acts but his death is not confirmed. The show revolves heavily around these deaths and the supernatural revival phenomenon.

Is there a post-credit scene?

The TV show Revival (2025) does have a post-credit scene. In this scene, a disfigured Reviver breaks into Aaron's house to steal a flash drive and delivers it to investigative journalist May Tao. This moment hints at deeper conspiracies and ongoing mysteries related to the Revivers and their resurrection, setting up further developments beyond the main episode's conclusion.

What is the significance of the wedding ring that Em threw up after resurrecting?

Em recalls that her likely killer was wearing the same wedding ring that she threw up after resurrecting, and later learns from a pawnshop owner that the ring belonged to Aaron, linking him to her attempted murder and kidnapping.

Who is responsible for the shooting of Aaron and Dana?

Aaron is shot dead by a masked man after confessing to kidnapping Em but denying killing her. Dana arrives moments later and is also shot by the same assailant. Em retaliates by shooting the man in the arm, who then flees.

What supernatural or mysterious creatures or phenomena do Cooper and Jordan witness while camping?

While camping together, Cooper and Jordan witness a glowing creature outside their tent, indicating ongoing supernatural elements in the story.

What role does investigative journalist May Tao play in the plot?

A disfigured Reviver breaks into Aaron's house to steal a flash drive and delivers it to investigative journalist May Tao, suggesting she is involved in uncovering secrets related to the Revival events.

How does Em's relationship with Aaron's wife, Nithiya Weimar, develop?

Em confides in Nithiya Weimar, Aaron's wife, about her struggles while taking anger management counseling, indicating a complex interpersonal dynamic between them amid the unfolding events.

Is this family friendly?

The TV show Revival (2025) is not family friendly and may be unsuitable for children or sensitive viewers due to its supernatural horror noir themes and mature content. It features scenes involving death, resurrection, murder investigations, and tense family drama, including a little girl with "bad, religious parents" and a generally dark, unsettling atmosphere.

Potentially objectionable or upsetting aspects include:

  • Supernatural resurrection of the dead, which may be disturbing for children.
  • Murder mystery and violence, including tense confrontations and criminal activity.
  • Family trauma and loss, such as the death of a mother and strained parental relationships.
  • Religious and moral conflicts portrayed in a serious, sometimes dark tone.
  • Authoritarian and tense family dynamics, including a strict sheriff father and his daughter.
  • Some scenes of danger and threat, including a character being set on fire and arrests.

The show's tone is serious and suspenseful rather than comedic, with dramatic and sometimes grim moments that could be upsetting for sensitive viewers. It is best suited for mature audiences comfortable with horror and thriller elements.