We Bury the Dead (2025) – A Zombie Movie About Grief, Not Just Gore
When I first saw We Bury the Dead labeled as a zombie survival horror thriller, I expected something familiar. Blood, chases, survivors fighting off hordes. But this movie is something different. It uses the zombie genre to explore something deeper: how people deal with loss, grief, and the desperate need for closure. Yes, there are undead. Yes, there are tense moments. But at its heart, this is a film about a woman searching for her husband—and searching for peace. It's more than a zombie thriller. And maybe that's why critics loved it more than audiences.
The Plot: Searching for Closure in a Quarantine Zone
After a catastrophic military disaster, something strange happens on a remote island. The dead don't just rise—they return. And some believe they come back because they have unfinished business.
Ava (Daisy Ridley) enters the quarantine zone, desperate to find her missing husband. The military insists the undead are harmless, slow-moving, offering false hope to grieving families. But Ava uncovers the horrifying truth: the dead are growing more violent, more relentless, and more dangerous with every passing hour.
Her journey isn't just about survival. It's about confronting the unfinished issues she had with her husband. She needs closure. And the island, with its strange rules and returning dead, forces her to face what she's been avoiding.
What Makes It Different: Themes Over Action
This movie is about grief, loss, and closure. The undead aren't just monsters—they're symbols. They represent the things we leave unresolved, the people we lose without saying goodbye. The island becomes a place where the past refuses to stay buried, forcing characters to confront what they've left unfinished.
Ava's relationship with her husband is the emotional core. Their unresolved issues, their unspoken words—these are the real monsters she has to face. The zombies are almost secondary.
By focusing on these themes, the movie sacrifices some of the classic zombie thriller elements. There's less action, fewer chase scenes, and less of the adrenaline-pumping survival sequences that genre fans might expect. It's slower, more thoughtful, and more focused on emotion than horror.
The Ratings: Critics vs. Audience Divide
- IMDb: 5.6/10 (from 11,000 users)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 88% Critics / 46% Audience
This divide tells the whole story. Critics loved it—88% is a strong score. They appreciated the emotional depth, the unique take on the genre, and Daisy Ridley's performance. But audiences gave it only 46%. Why? Because many went in expecting a classic zombie thriller with fast-paced action and got something slower and more introspective instead.
If you're a horror fan looking for nonstop zombie action, you might be disappointed. If you're someone who appreciates genre films that try something deeper, you'll likely appreciate it more.
My Take: A Unique, Thoughtful Take on the Undead
I enjoyed this movie. It has a unique side that brings something new to the zombie genre. It's less about surviving the apocalypse and more about surviving your own grief. The atmosphere is haunting, the performances are strong, and the themes resonate long after the credits roll.
If someone was expecting a classic zombie movie, they'd probably be disappointed. But for me, the way the film portrays loss, grief, and the need for closure made it worth watching.
Final Verdict: A 7/10 Worth Watching
My rating is 7 out of 10. We Bury the Dead is definitely worth watching—especially if you're tired of the same zombie formula and want something with more emotional weight. I'd even consider rewatching it when I'm in the mood for something thoughtful and atmospheric.
Recommendation: Go in with the right expectations. This isn't 28 Days Later. It's a quiet, emotional drama wrapped in a zombie movie's skin. If that sounds appealing, you'll likely enjoy it.
Have you seen We Bury the Dead? Did you connect with its themes of grief and closure, or were you hoping for more zombie action? Let me know in the comments!
And suggest a movie for my next review! I'm in the mood for another genre film that tries something different.
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See also My full list of 2026 movie reviews →
