REVIEW: “We Bury the Dead” (2026)

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The year’s first major movie release is a surprisingly touching film that offers a fresh take on zombie stories. While it’s still dark and scary, “We Bury the Dead” focuses more on personal connections and genuine emotion, delivering a powerful and unexpected impact. This is what sets it apart from typical zombie movies.

Zak Hilditch, an Australian writer-director known for the underrated film “1922” (which is worth checking out on Netflix), continues to innovate within familiar genres with his latest work, “We Bury the Dead.” He’s made a great choice in Daisy Ridley, who delivers a nuanced and emotionally resonant performance, truly carrying the film with her sensitivity and skill.

The film stands out because of its detailed and immersive world-building. The story begins with a tragic event: an accidental deployment of a new U.S. military weapon near Tasmania results in the deaths of around 500,000 people. The weapon emits an electromagnetic pulse that instantly stops the brains of all living creatures on the island. With the capital city of Hobart destroyed and widespread loss of life, the international community offers help.

As a film buff, I was immediately hooked by the premise of this movie. It centers around Ava, played by Ridley, a physical therapist who bravely volunteers with a body recovery team. She’s paired with Clay, a confident and effective guy played by Brenton Thwaites, and their job is incredibly tough – going house to house, finding and removing the bodies of those who didn’t make it. It’s seriously disturbing stuff, and they encounter everything from deeply sad scenes to truly unsettling discoveries. But the real kicker? The general warns them that a few of the deceased are actually… coming back to life. It’s a chilling concept and sets the stage for some intense moments, I can already tell!

The reasons behind the outbreak and how it started remain a mystery, as those closest to the initial events are just as confused as everyone else. What is known is that the newly undead begin as gentle and slow creatures, but become increasingly violent the longer they remain ‘alive.’ Because of this, volunteers are told to alert the soldiers accompanying them, who will then humanely kill the undead with a headshot. Despite their varying behaviors, all of the undead share one disturbing trait: they grind their teeth, creating a horrifying sound like glass scraping together. This sound alone is enough to make even the bravest people feel terrified.

While helping with the worldwide response to the disaster, we discover Ava’s heartbreaking personal story that led her to Tasmania. Her husband, Mitch, was at a work event on the island when the explosion happened. Grief-stricken, Ava is determined to find him, hoping to learn his fate, whether he’s alive, or among the reanimated. But her search means a perilous 200-mile journey through dangerous, off-limits zones, with no help from the military, and facing threats from both living people and the undead.

I was really drawn in by the setup of Ava’s story – it drops you right into this incredibly stark and unsettling world. What’s interesting is it doesn’t rely on the usual tropes; there are no zombies or plagues or anything like that. But even without those things, there’s this constant feeling of dread as Ava moves from place to place. I was honestly impressed with what Hilditch achieved, especially considering the film’s budget. He created a really expansive feel, and it made me wish he’d spent a little more time fleshing out the details of the world and how everything works.

At its heart, “We Bury the Dead” is a moving story about dealing with loss and finding peace. The horror aspects of the film serve mainly to drive Ava’s emotional journey. The director clearly understands the story he’s telling, skillfully blending meaningful themes with his passion for the genre. Although the film’s world can sometimes feel empty, the story always focuses on relatable human experiences, which makes it stand out from other horror films.

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2026-01-01 18:58