We Bury the Dead Review: A Quiet Take on the Zombie Thriller
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
A review of the new horror drama We Bury the Dead, starring Daisy Ridley, which trades fast-paced zombie action for a slower, mournful look at grief and survival.
January is usually a quiet zone for new releases, but Polygon critic Jesse Hassenger recently reviewed We Bury the Dead, a thoughtful horror drama starring Daisy Ridley that offers a much slower approach to the usual undead panic. Written and directed by Zak Hilditch, the film is set in Tasmania following a military experiment gone wrong that leaves half a million people dead. Rather than leaning into the chaotic, high-speed horde action popularized by modern survival franchises, this movie treats the outbreak with a strange, mournful calm where characters are briefed on reanimated bodies during orientation just like any other workplace hazard.
At the center of the story is Ava, played by Ridley, who volunteers for the grim task of cleaning up the bodies in hopes of finding her missing husband. Alongside her partner Riley, she quietly breaks military protocol to search forbidden zones, leading to encounters with zombies that emphasize eerie mystery and atmosphere over cheap jump scares. The film trades white-knuckle panic for striking overhead shots of desolate landscapes and unsettling sound design, presenting a world where the living process grief long before they figure out the mechanics of the resurrection.
While the movie may not match the explosive cultural footprint of major upcoming cinematic events or the high-stakes tension of interactive survival hits on our consoles and PCs, it carves out a distinct niche. For players and film fans who enjoy narrative-driven horror that prioritizes slow-burn dread and emotional weight over constant action, this quiet Tasmanian trip offers a fascinating change of pace. You can read the full review over at Polygon.
Tags: Movies, Horror, Reviews, Polygon, Entertainment
Original article: Polygon