We Bury the Dead (2025) Spoiler Free Review
We Bury the Dead is not the zombie film you might be expecting and that distinction will likely determine how audiences respond to it. Written and directed by Zak Hilditch, this 2025 survival thriller uses the undead less as a source of constant terror and more as a haunting backdrop for a deeply personal story about grief, endurance, and emotional survival.
Premiering at the 2025 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival (SXSW), the film stars Daisy Ridley as Ava Newman, a woman searching for her missing husband in the aftermath of a catastrophic military experiment. When traditional rescue efforts fail, Ava joins a body retrieval unit tasked with burying the dead scattered across the devastated landscape. What begins as a grim but methodical job soon takes a disturbing turn as the corpses she encounters show unsettling signs of life.
Ava Newman (Daisy Ridley), a desperate woman, searches for her husband in the aftermath of a catastrophic military experiment. Hoping to find him alive, Ava joins a “body retrieval unit”, but her search takes a chilling turn when the corpses she’s burying start showing signs of life.
Film synopsis
Despite its premise, We Bury the Dead resists many zombie-genre conventions. The undead are present, eerie, and undeniably threatening, but they are not the driving force of the narrative. Instead, the film is far more interested in Ava’s internal journey; her denial, desperation, and gradual confrontation with loss. This creative choice makes the movie feel refreshingly original, but it also contributes to its most noticeable flaw: a lack of momentum.
The pacing is inconsistent, with long stretches focused on atmosphere and introspection rather than action or escalating tension. Viewers expecting frequent set pieces or high-intensity survival sequences may find the film feeling surprisingly subdued. There is no single explosive peak moment that defines the story, which can leave the experience feeling emotionally rich but narratively flat at times.
That said, what the film lacks in spectacle it compensates for in mood and craftsmanship. We Bury the Dead is beautifully shot, using stark, desolate environments to mirror Ava’s emotional isolation. The cinematography enhances the sense of quiet dread, making the world feel simultaneously empty and unsafe. The zombie design is another highlight unsettling in its subtlety. The constant clicking of teeth is particularly effective, creating a creeping sense of unease without relying on excessive gore.
Daisy Ridley delivers a strong, grounded performance that anchors the film. Her portrayal of grief feels restrained and authentic, allowing the audience to connect with Ava’s pain even when the story slows down. The supporting cast adds solid depth, but this is undeniably Ridley’s film, and her presence carries it through its quieter moments.
While the film does include a plot twist that is genuinely unexpected, it doesn’t completely resolve the pacing issues or the desire for more action. Still, We Bury the Dead remains an intriguing and thoughtful entry in the genre one that prioritizes emotional weight over chaos.
Ultimately, We Bury the Dead is best approached as a reflective survival drama rather than a traditional zombie thriller. For viewers open to a slower, more introspective take on the undead, it offers an engaging and original experience.
We Bury the Dead is coming to theaters Friday, January 2nd, 2026.