Genre: Horror
Directed by: Zak Hilditch
Starring: Daisy Ridley, Brenton Thwaites, Mark Coles Smith
Release Date: January 2, 2025
Platform: Theatrical
Rating: 3.5/5
By Crystal Justine
WE BURY THE DEAD is the latest horror film written and directed by Zak Hilditch that premiered at the 2025 SXSW International Film Festival in Austin, TX. This film isn’t your average zombie movie. It’s not post-apocalyptic, it’s not the undead on a roaring rampage and a thirst for brains. WE BURY THE DEAD is about regret, uncertainty and closure with terrifying moments squeezed in.
The movie will be a hit or miss for most viewers. At times WE BURY THE DEAD is more of a drama than a scary movie, but the horror aspects of the film are absolutely horrifying. After a cataclysmic event in Tasmania takes place and hundreds of thousands drop dead in an instant, the country’s military takes on volunteers to collect the bodies. While the bodies are deceased, sometimes the dead come back ‘online’, in which the military handles taking them back ‘offline’.
Horror is a genre switch up for actress Daisy Ridley, who plays Ava. Her performance paired with exceptional work from the makeup and effects department made for some memorable scenes. Ava’s husband was on a work trip in the heart of the deadly event, so she sets on a mission to find her husband knowing he’s unlikely to have survived. Throughout her journey the film’s story shows commentary on the regrets we have, how we deal emotionally with uncertainty and the lengths one will go to for closure.
The movie cuts back and forth between past and present, setting up the type of relationship Ava has with her husband, which gives some emotional pull and understanding as to why someone would put themselves in such a dangerous situation voluntarily. There are different moments and characters throughout with their own reasonings for being there. Some have more emotional weight than others but seeing different perspectives helped more than hindered the overall story.
While the film’s story plays into being more of a drama than a horror, where the movie truly shines are the scenes with the undead. Not only are these creatures visually captivating with incredible practical makeup and fx, but their sound design is impeccable. These zombies don’t moan and groan, as we’ve heard in a majority of films over decades. Without even seeing the undead your heart rate increases and you slide a little deeper into your seat as the grinding and cracking of teeth makes the hair on your arms stand up. Add in the spectacle of decay, bloodshot eyes and actually seeing teeth grinding together so hard they start to chip away, and you’re in for what belongs in nightmares. While the undead don’t appear as often as you’d want, when they do show up, they make an impact.
Overall, WE BURY THE DEAD is different than one may anticipate for the zombie sub-genre of horror. The film rides the line between different bad and different good when it comes to the story being told. If you’re wanting extreme brutality, jump scares and gore, this film will not be for you. If you’re up for a slow burn, deeper commentary and bite sized bits of terror, this may be right up your alley. Go into watching this film with an open mind and solid surround sound.
