We Bury the Dead (2024)
directed by Zak Hilditch
Rated R for violent content, gore, and cussin
For fans of Daisy Ridley and the 28 Days Later franchise. I like Daisy Ridley and I wanted to see her in more films, so I was excited when I saw this trailer in the theater. I think she did a great job and I would like to see her in more roles like this. The film also heavily explores how humanity deals with death, its finality, and the things left unresolved.
My rating: It’s Horror? Another rating title that I’m not sure about, but I’m sticking with it! There is a type of horror film that uses all of the elements of horror and its aesthetics, but does not actually attempt to scare the viewer. These films are often trying to say something deeper. That’s not to say that scary as hell horror films can’t have something to say, but these kinds of films tend to forego jump scares and even most suspense in favor of character driven darkness/horror. I’m thinking films like Let the Right One In, A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, I Saw The TV Glow. I guess it isn’t wrong to call this a zombie movie, but it’s mostly a movie about a woman searching for her husband after he (presumably) dies in a disaster.
Some thoughts: Something I’ve already talked about on here and I’m sure I’ll bring up again in future posts is how much I enjoy a movie that keeps its story tight and lean. Just throw me right in and trust that the film is clear enough for me to understand what is happening. I love that shit. The movie starts by telling the audience that the United States accidentally used a weapon and killed every living animal on Tasmania and then we meet our protagonist, Ava, and the journey begins. There is some suspense and violence/gore, but like I said up there, the movie is really just her processing her relationship. I really like the companion character, Clay, that accompanies her. His motivations are so different than Ava’s and it gives both a levity to the film and a balance to her grief.
I don’t think this is a perfect movie, nor do I think it is an absolute must-see. But I really enjoyed watching it and found it moving and I think there is a place for a horror (?) movie like that.