Star Wars icon Daisy Ridley is back, but this time she’s battling the undead instead of the Dark Side. Her latest project, We Bury the Dead, is generating serious buzz after its SXSW premiere—and it’s not your typical zombie flick. This character-driven survival thriller promises to deliver emotional depth alongside post-apocalyptic horror.
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We Bury the Dead Release Schedule & Key Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Director | Zak Hilditch |
| Lead Star | Daisy Ridley as Ava Newman |
| US Release | January 2, 2026 (Limited Theatrical) |
| Australia/New Zealand | February 5, 2026 |
| SXSW Premiere | March 2025 |
| Filming Location | Albany, Western Australia |
| Distributor | Vertical Entertainment |
The Plot: Grief Meets the Undead
Set in a world devastated by a catastrophic military experiment, We Bury the Dead follows Ava Newman (Ridley), a woman joining a body retrieval unit in hopes of finding her missing husband. What begins as a grim search for closure spirals into terror when the corpses she’s burying start showing signs of life.
Director Zak Hilditch crafts an intimate narrative where the undead serve as both literal threats and symbolic representations of unprocessed grief. Unlike blockbuster zombie movies focused on spectacle, this thriller zeroes in on human emotion and psychological horror—think The Road meets 28 Days Later.
Shot entirely in Western Australia over just one month (February-March 2024), the film’s desolate landscapes perfectly capture Ava’s isolation and desperation.
Meet the Cast
Daisy Ridley leads as Ava Newman, bringing the same intensity she delivered in the Skywalker saga. Supporting her are:
- Mark Coles Smith as Riley
- Brenton Thwaites as Clay
- Kym Jackson as Lt. Wilkie
- Matt Whelan as Mitch
- Deanna Cooney as Bianca
This ensemble creates a tight-knit group navigating both external threats and internal demons.
What Critics Are Saying
After its SXSW premiere, We Bury the Dead earned praise for its restrained approach to genre filmmaking. Vertical Entertainment quickly snapped up US distribution rights in May 2025, recognizing its festival momentum.
Early reactions highlight Ridley’s raw performance and the film’s refusal to rely on jump scares, instead building dread through atmosphere and character development.
When Can You Stream It?
Currently, no streaming date has been announced. The film will first play exclusively in theaters starting January 2, 2026, giving audiences the full cinematic experience Hilditch intended. Based on typical distribution windows, expect streaming availability 45-90 days post-theatrical release.
FAQs
Is We Bury the Dead connected to any existing franchise?
No, this is a completely original story—not based on a book series or existing IP. It’s a standalone zombie thriller with no sequels currently planned.
Will Daisy Ridley do more action scenes like in Star Wars?
While the film features survival action, it prioritizes emotional intensity and character-driven drama over large-scale set pieces, marking a tonal shift from Ridley’s blockbuster work.
