Daisy Ridley Anchors Thoughtful Zombie Drama We Bury the Dead

Collider reports that We Bury the Dead, a post-apocalyptic zombie thriller directed by Zak Hilditch and starring Daisy Ridley, has emerged as one of this year’s most underrated films.

The film’s premise centers on the aftermath of a weapons malfunction when an artificial device is accidentally set off near the coast of Tasmania, leaving island residents with lost motor functions and consciousness. An Australian military effort to clear the island relies on volunteers; Ridley plays American physiotherapist Ava Newman, who lost her husband Mitch (Matt Whelan) and joins the crew, and she is paired with the mysterious volunteer Clay (Brenton Thwaites). Rather than an action spectacle, the film is described as an extended character piece that emphasizes grief, the dignity of the dead, and the strain on underfunded public institutions, with wide Australian landscapes evoking Western imagery and convincing creature makeup.

We Bury the Dead debuted at select festivals last year and is now playing in theaters; its listed release date is January 2, 2026, with a runtime of 95 minutes. Reviewers single out Ridley for one of her best performances and note that, despite a smaller budget than some contemporary zombie titles, the film delivers a sobering, methodical take on loss and care in a ravaged community.

Key Topics

Culture, Daisy Ridley, Zak Hilditch, Brenton Thwaites, Matt Whelan, Tasmania