WE BURY THE DEAD

There is a specific kind of cinematic magic that happens when you sit down for a movie knowing absolutely nothing about it. As the lights dimmed for “We Bury the Dead”, I hadn’t seen a single frame of a trailer. Imagine my delight when Daisy Ridley appeared on screen, finally reclaiming her “Leading Lady" status in a role that actually lets her breathe (and bleed) outside of that polarizing galaxy from far, far away.

While the title suggests a standard horror flick, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself in the middle of a high-stakes zombie survival story. As someone who generally finds the undead genre a bit stale - unless we’re talking about the greats like World War Z or Zombieland - this film managed to claw its way onto my very short list of zombie movies I actually enjoy.

The film follows Ava (Ridley), whose character arc is anchored by a grounded, emotional weight that keeps the movie from becoming just another gore-fest. The tone is refreshingly serious, and it avoids becoming a total dirge thanks to Mark Coles Smith. His portrayal of Riley provides that essential, dry comedic relief that keeps the audience from sinking into total despair.

Visually, the film is a knockout. The cinematography captures the isolation of the Tasmanian wilderness beautifully. However, we have to talk about the sound of the season: the teeth grinding. The dead in this film don't just moan; they gnash. It is a visceral, cringeworthy choice that got under my skin and stayed there. It’s effective and my ears hated every second of it, which I suppose means the sound department deserves a raise and a formal apology.

My only real nitpick lies in the scope. While the personal story is tight, I left wanting to know more about the macro-level chaos. How did Tasmania handle the fallout? What happened after the credits rolled? A movie can only be so long, but the world-building was so intriguing that I found myself wishing for a few extra chapters on the societal collapse.

Final Verdict: Is it good or does it suck?

We Bury the Dead isn't necessarily a masterpiece, but it is a damn good time. It’s a well-written, atmospheric thriller that deserves way more online chatter than it’s currently getting. If you’re a fan of horror or just want to see Daisy Ridley do some of her best work to date, dial it up…. Just maybe bring some earplugs for the grinding.