Some subgenres of horror are so well-worn that it’s hard to find genuinely original new films in that style. We Bury the Dead offers an unconventional approach to the zombie genre, emphasizing emotion over straightforward scares, resulting in a film that is much more affecting and dread-inducing than the typical flick about the undead.
We Bury the Dead Review
The film is set in Tasmania after the accidental detonation of a weapon that kills everyone on the island, as a woman volunteers to retrieve the bodies of the dead, hoping to find her missing husband, soon discovering that many of the dead are exhibiting signs of life. Although Zak Hilditch’s script hits many familiar beats and tropes, it explores them with an uncommon emotion and vulnerability that elevates it beyond this familiarity.
The world-building of We Bury the Dead is utterly immersive and one of the best things about the film. Hilditch creates a version of the zombie apocalypse that is very different from the one we might be used to. Instead of the viral origins typically used in the genre, We Bury the Dead’s undead are brought to life by electrical impulses. The result is monsters that don’t feel quite as monstrous and earn the audience’s empathy much more than is typical for the genre.
Hilditch does struggle with the tone of the film. For the most part, the film is meant to be somber and contemplative, radiating a deep sadness. As a zombie movie, though, there are of course moments that are meant to be scary. The scary and sad moments feel very separate from one another, though, and the film as a whole would have been much more unsettling had the blend between these tones been more effective. There are also some moments of comedic relief, particularly in the third act, which becomes overwhelming and undermines some of the more poignant elements.
Nevertheless, Hilditch creates some imagery throughout the film that will be burned into the minds of viewers. Although it’s always clear where the film is heading, including the predictable final moments, they still have an impact because of the excellent cinematography, production design, and creative ideas in the script. Hilditch’s film is bleak in a way that few films have the balls to be, and it deserves a lot of credit for that.
Like many other entries in the zombie genre, We Bury the Dead primarily explores the theme of mortality. The film asks a lot of big questions that it doesn’t have the answer to because we also don’t have the answer to these questions in life. Hilditch also explores the relationship of marriage through the film in a way that provides much-needed emotional context.
Yet, while these themes are certainly resonant, they lend themselves to character development that isn’t the most complex. The protagonist’s arc centers around her struggling marriage, mostly explored through flashbacks that are filled with exposition. It’s very difficult to get invested in a relationship that is as one-sided as this, as we know very little about the protagonist’s spouse.
The film hinges on the success of the lead performance by Daisy Ridley, who is pretty excellent. For much of the film, she conveys a sense of shock and dissociation, avoiding the more conventional emotions of fear that often define this genre. However, she also thrives in the more vulnerable moments of the role — especially in the third act, where her sadness is absolutely crushing.
We Bury the Dead’s supporting cast is nowhere near as impressive as Ridley, but considering that this film exists almost exclusively as a showcase for its lead, this is hardly surprising. Mark Coles Smith (Apple Cider Vinegar) makes the most impression, with a few super chilling scenes; however, he struggles to strike an effective balance, sometimes going over the top. Brenton Thwaites (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales) is charming enough but mostly forgettable in his role.
Is We Bury the Dead worth watching?
We Bury the Dead is not just your average zombie movie. An excellent performance by Daisy Ridley and a surprisingly emotional script allow the film to resonate in ways that one might not typically expect of the genre. Although it doesn’t always work, the moments that do work are enough to make this stick with you long after the credits roll.
We Bury the Dead premiered at the 2025 SXSW Film Festival, which ran March 7-15 in Austin, TX.
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