I feel like a lot of zombie fiction where characters know what zombies are and the dangerous of getting bitten end up being semi-satirical comedies. Movies and shows where the idea of zombies didn’t previously exist seem to be a bit more serious from what I’ve experienced. I don’t know if it’s the aura of suspense and mystery or because it leads to more pandemonium.
I don’t know if it matters that the characters inherently understand how to kill zombies. Shaun of the Dead does this well, where they hear it on the news in five seconds and they’re like “oh that makes sense.”
The original Dawn of the Dead I think they say it on the radio or TV too, I believe. There isn’t really a spot where they don’t know and it matters. The thing that forces drama in zombie movies to me isn’t aiming for the head, it’s being overrun.
But I also mostly just like the old Romero ones so I may be wrong!