Daisy Ridley stars in thoughtful zombie film "We Bury the Dead"

The Star Wars alum brings emotional depth to this modestly ambitious VOD release.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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In the aftermath of a mysterious weapon that killed half a million people in Hobart, Tasmania, grieving American woman Ava (Daisy Ridley) travels to the disaster zone to search for her husband Mitch, who was there on a work trip. As rumors swirl that some of the dead are coming back to life, Ava teams up with a hardened soldier named Clay (Brenton Thwaites) to navigate the dangerous, fire-ravaged area and find Mitch, hoping he may still be alive.

Why it matters

While "We Bury the Dead" doesn't deliver the high-octane zombie action that some audiences may expect, the film takes a more grounded, contemplative approach to the genre, focusing on the emotional journey of its protagonist Ava as she grapples with grief and the uncertainty of her husband's fate. Daisy Ridley's strong dramatic performance helps elevate the modestly ambitious material, hinting at her potential to take on more substantive roles beyond the blockbuster franchises that first brought her fame.

The details

Ava and Clay encounter one of the undead while searching a garage, but the zombie doesn't attack, leading Ava to wonder if it still has some semblance of consciousness. As they continue their grim task of retrieving bodies, they come across a soldier who seems helpful at first but soon gives Ava reason to be suspicious. The film explores themes of grief, loss, and the human response to large-scale tragedy, with hints of anti-American sentiment from the Australian characters.

  • The experimental weapon that killed 500,000 people in Hobart, Tasmania occurred in the recent past.
  • Ava travels to Tasmania to search for her husband Mitch, who was there on a work trip when the disaster struck.

The players

Ava

A grieving American woman whose husband Mitch was in Hobart during the disaster, and who travels there to search for him and retrieve bodies.

Clay

A hardened Australian soldier who partners with Ava in the body retrieval efforts.

Mitch

Ava's husband, who was in Hobart on a work trip when the disaster struck.

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What they’re saying

“We're surprised Americans weren't banned from volunteering.”

— Australian Military Person

The takeaway

"We Bury the Dead" offers a more thoughtful, character-driven take on the zombie genre, anchored by Daisy Ridley's strong dramatic performance as a woman grappling with grief and uncertainty in the aftermath of a large-scale tragedy. While it may not deliver the high-octane action that some viewers expect, the film's grounded approach and thematic depth make it a worthwhile watch for fans of more contemplative horror.