Imagine waking up in a world where people who die don’t stay dead… and the only person who can help stop the chaos is a young woman who has already lost everything. This is the main idea of We Bury the Dead, an upcoming Australian zombie thriller that is getting a lot of attention because of its strong cast, fresh story, and early positive reviews.
Directed by Zak Hilditch (These Final Hours, 1922) and starring Daisy Ridley in her first big role after Star Wars, the movie premiered at the 2025 Overlook Film Festival with great reviews. It will release in theatres in North America on February 20, 2026 through IFC Films and Shudder, with worldwide release dates coming soon.
If you feel like zombie movies have become stale or repetitive in the wake of The Walking Dead and The Last of Us, this might surprise you. We Bury the Dead isn’t about endless zombies or kick-ass gun battles — it’s a simple, emotional survival story during the very start of an outbreak. It is about grief and terror, and the awfulness of burying the dead who then rise again.
Here’s what you need to know before it comes to theaters.
We Bury the Dead Plot: a heartrending twist on the zombie apocalypse
The narrative is situated in rural Australia and follows a woman, Ava (played by Daisy Ridley), as she grapples with a personal tragedy. Then, a mysterious phenomena resurrects the dead as ferocious beasts. Ava enlists in a small military unit as the world collapses and communication breaks down. It is their responsibility to locate, identify, and bury the deceased before they reappear and spread the sickness.
But Ava’s life turns upside down when she finds her missing husband’s name on the recovery list… and later sees him alive among the walking dead.
She now has to choose between following orders or risking everything to save the man she loves.
Director Zak Hilditch calls the film “a love story inside a zombie movie,” focusing more on emotions than heavy action. Early reviews say it feels more like The Road mixed with Pet Sematary, where the biggest fear comes from hard decisions, not jump scares.
Star-Studded Cast and Crew
| Actor | Role | Notable Previous Work |
| Daisy Ridley | Ava (lead) | Star Wars sequels, Murder on the Orient Express |
| Brenton Thwaites | Michael (Ava’s husband) | Pirates of the Caribbean, Titans |
| Mark Coles Smith | Military unit leader | Mystery Road, Halifax: Retribution |
| Molly Griggs | Recovery team member | Prodigal Son, Dr. Death |
| Harvey Zielinski | Young survivor | Debut role |
Director & Writer: Zak Hilditch
Producers: Gramercy Park Media, Shadowbane, Causeway Films
Cinematography: Simon Duggan (Hacksaw Ridge, The Great Gatsby)
Music: Christopher Gordon (Master and Commander, Daybreakers)
We Bury the Dead Trailer and Release Date
The official trailer released on November 18, 2025, and has crossed 12 million views online. It begins with empty highways and body bags being moved into trucks, then quickly shifts to tense moments as Ava makes her shocking discovery. Daisy Ridley’s emotional acting is the highlight — many expect awards discussions in early 2026.
Release Schedule:
- Theatrical release (US, Canada, Australia): February 20, 2026
- Streaming on Shudder: March/April 2026 (expected 90-day window)
- UK & International release: February–March 2026
- Runtime: 94 minutes
- Rating: R (violence, gore, language, disturbing images)
Early Reviews and Festival Reception
After its 2025 premiere, critics gave very strong reviews:
- “A powerful and emotional zombie story” – Bloody Disgusting (9/10)
- “Daisy Ridley gives one of her best performances” – Screen Rant
- “Quiet horror done in a smart and heartbreaking way” – Variety
- Current Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 88% (based on 34 early reviews)
Why We Bury the Dead Stands Out in 2026’s Horror Lineup
In a year full of sequels like M3GAN 2.0 and The Strangers: Chapter 2, this film feels fresh because it focuses on people and tough emotions instead of big action. It also asks deep questions that most zombie movies avoid:
- If someone you love comes back wrong, do you save them or end their suffering?
- Who decides which dead people get buried and which get burned?
- Can love become dangerous during a crisis?
For fans who want something different, this movie brings a new and emotional take on the zombie genre.
Final Verdict: Mark Your Calendar
We Bury the Dead is not just another zombie film — it is a painful and emotional survival story that uses the undead to explore love, grief, and human choices. Daisy Ridley delivers what many are calling her strongest performance, while Zak Hilditch creates one of his best films yet.