entertainment • Dec. 30, 2026

Movie Review: Daisy Ridley Holds Onto Hope in the Zombie Thriller ‘We Bury the Dead’

Daisy Ridley delivers a grounded and emotionally driven performance in the zombie thriller ‘We Bury the Dead,’ a film that prioritizes human resilience over traditional horror spectacle.

In the zombie thriller ‘We Bury the Dead,’ Daisy Ridley anchors the film with a restrained yet emotionally resonant performance that elevates the genre beyond familiar tropes and emphasizes survival as an act of hope rather than brute force. Set in a bleak post-apocalyptic landscape shaped by a mysterious outbreak, the film follows Ridley’s character as she navigates a world defined by loss, isolation, and moral uncertainty, where the dead roam but the living carry deeper wounds. Rather than relying on relentless action or excessive gore, the film adopts a slower, contemplative pace that allows its themes of grief, responsibility, and perseverance to unfold organically, positioning Ridley’s performance as the emotional core of the narrative.

Her character’s journey is less about defeating the undead and more about preserving humanity in a world where social structures have collapsed, a choice that gives the story a reflective tone uncommon in mainstream zombie cinema. Ridley brings quiet intensity to the role, conveying exhaustion, fear, and determination through subtle gestures and controlled dialogue, reinforcing the idea that survival is as psychological as it is physical. The film’s direction emphasizes atmosphere over spectacle, using muted color palettes, desolate environments, and long silences to create a sense of pervasive unease, while the zombies themselves remain an ever-present but restrained threat rather than the central focus.

Supporting performances add texture without overshadowing the protagonist, serving primarily to mirror different responses to catastrophe, from despair and denial to ruthless pragmatism. The screenplay avoids overexplaining the origins of the outbreak, a deliberate choice that shifts attention toward character dynamics and ethical dilemmas, such as when to help others, when to let go, and how to maintain compassion in a world that punishes vulnerability. While some viewers may find the film’s deliberate pacing and introspective tone at odds with expectations for a zombie thriller, this restraint ultimately strengthens its emotional impact, allowing moments of hope to feel earned rather than sentimental.

Ridley’s performance underscores the film’s central message that hope is not naïve optimism but a conscious decision to keep moving forward despite overwhelming odds. Technically, the film is competently crafted, with effective sound design and understated visual effects that support the narrative without drawing attention away from the characters, reinforcing the grounded realism the story aims to achieve. ‘We Bury the Dead’ may not redefine the zombie genre, but it succeeds in offering a thoughtful variation that prioritizes emotional authenticity over formula, and Daisy Ridley’s commitment to the role ensures that the film resonates long after its final moments, leaving audiences with a meditation on endurance, loss, and the fragile persistence of hope in the face of extinction..