We Bury The Dead: A Melancholy Australian Zombie Tale
The walking dead might not be the most dynamic of monsters in cinema. They are often slow, sometimes goofy looking, but they possess a relentless and ravenous nature that makes them formidable. When you encounter one, it could very well be a recently departed friend or family member eyeing you as their next meal. This is the unsettling premise explored in the new Australian horror film We Bury The Dead, directed by Zak Hilditch.
A Unique and Desolate Setting
The film presents a compelling setup. An American electromagnetic weapon detonates near Tasmania, generating an electrical pulse that instantly kills every living thing on the island. A massive clean-up operation is initiated, calling for volunteers to handle the aftermath. People died wherever they were—in bed, in cars, in gardens—creating a haunting landscape of sudden death. The film raises subtle questions about the preparedness of these volunteers, hinting at potential further tragedy.
Although there is no radiation to contend with, the environment is fraught with fires, smoke, and another chilling concern: some of the deceased have not quite departed. These reanimated corpses, or zombies, begin to appear. Workers are equipped with flares to alert the military, who then dispatch the undead in the classic fashion. The film’s production team, including cinematographer Steve Annis and production designer Clayton Jauncey, excels at crafting this desolate, near-empty world. Striking tableaus range from the mundane, like people struck dead while gardening, to the bizarre, such as a wild party frozen in time.
Personal Grief Amid National Tragedy
The story follows Ava, played by Daisy Ridley, a physical therapist who volunteers for personal reasons. Her husband, Mitch, was attending a business retreat at a Tasmanian coastal resort when the event occurred. Ava travels to the island, hoping to find him, whether alive or to achieve closure. However, the area where Mitch was last seen is off-limits, forcing her to navigate the dangerous and unpredictable environment.
On the job, Ava meets Clay, portrayed by Brenton Thwaites, a blokey and rough character who might help her reach her destination. Trust becomes a central theme, as the line between ally and threat blurs in this chaotic setting. The undead are unpredictable—some harmless, others extremely dangerous—adding to the tension.
International Appeal and Emotional Depth
As with many Australian films aiming for global recognition, We Bury The Dead features an international star. Daisy Ridley, known for her role as Rey in the Star Wars sequels, delivers an understated performance, portraying a woman keeping her emotions tightly controlled. Her presence as an American living in Australia feels natural, though some characters express resentment towards Americans due to the catastrophic event.
One particularly striking sequence involves Riley, a soldier played by Mark Coles Smith, who offers to escort Ava. His ulterior motive is revealed to be desperately sad and creepy, highlighting that not all casualties from a terrible event are killed, and not all wounds are visible. This reinforces the film’s deeper themes of psychological trauma and hidden suffering.
A Different Kind of Zombie Film
We Bury The Dead is not a film for those seeking constant scares, gore, and explosive action. While it includes some tense moments and the unnerving sound of the undead’s teeth-grinding, it is ultimately a melancholy story about grief and loss. The narrative operates on both a national scale, depicting a country in mourning, and a deeply personal level, focusing on Ava’s journey.
The film explores the idea of being careful what you wish for and finding glimmers of hope amid despair. It leaves viewers reflecting on the broader implications of such a tragedy, such as how the media reports on it, and the collective emotional toll on a nation. We Bury The Dead stands out as a thoughtful addition to the zombie genre, using its horror elements to probe human emotions and resilience in the face of overwhelming loss.
