We Bury the Dead features a strong central performance from Daisy Ridley (Ophelia), but, unfortunately, that standout performance is not enough to elevate a film weighed down by familiar genre problems and uneven storytelling. While Ridley brings emotional commitment and credibility to the material, the film itself struggles under the lingering fatigue of a subgenre that has long since lost much of its impact. Zombie films once dominated horror by combining social commentary, survival tension, and brutal unpredictability, but, in recent years, it has become increasingly difficult for new entries to feel essential or even memorable.
If you’re interested in a spoiler-free exploration of We Bury the Dead, head to EoM Founder Douglas Davidson’s initial theatrical release review.
Daisy Ridley as Ava in WE BURY THE DEAD. Photo Credit: Finlay MacKay. Photo courtesy of Vertical Entertainment.
Part of the challenge facing this film is that zombie cinema now exists in a space where audiences have already seen nearly every variation imaginable. Outside of rare standouts, like 28 Years Later (2025), generating renewed interest in the genre, most recent zombie films feel trapped between imitation and reinvention, often unable to fully commit to either. We Bury the Dead falls into that same pattern. It borrows heavily from established genre conventions but rarely reshapes them into something that feels urgent or distinctive.
Daisy Ridley as Ava in WE BURY THE DEAD. Photo Credit: Nic Duncan. Photo courtesy of Vertical Entertainment.
The film’s biggest weakness is pacing. Its first act drags considerably, to the point where it feels far longer than it actually is. Instead of building suspense through atmosphere or character development, the opening stretches scenes beyond their dramatic value, making the early portion feel like a slow climb toward a payoff that never fully arrives. A zombie film does not necessarily need relentless action, but it does need momentum, and here that momentum is missing for too long. By the time the narrative begins to move, much of the initial tension has already faded.
Editing is another major issue. The film often feels cut in a way that interrupts emotional rhythm rather than supporting it. Scenes linger where they should tighten while moments that could have benefited from stronger dramatic emphasis pass too quickly. This uneven structure contributes heavily to the sense that the film is a slog, particularly during transitions between major story beats. Instead of escalating naturally, the film often feels like it is stopping and restarting.
Daisy Ridley as Ava in WE BURY THE DEAD. Photo Credit: Nic Duncan. Photo courtesy of Vertical Entertainment.
There are also too many familiar zombie tropes that once worked effectively in earlier films but now feel forced here. Character decisions frequently follow predictable patterns and several scenes play out exactly as genre fans would expect without adding much tension or surprise. What once felt suspenseful in earlier zombie films now comes across as routine, largely because the film does little to update those ideas or give them new meaning. The genre has evolved enough that repetition without reinvention becomes difficult to ignore.
That said, Daisy Ridley remains the strongest reason to watch. She gives the film emotional weight even when the script does not fully support her. Her performance carries sincerity, and she manages to ground scenes that might otherwise feel empty. In several moments, she suggests a deeper film than the one surrounding her, bringing intensity and vulnerability that stand apart from the material.
Ultimately, We Bury the Dead feels like a film with potential that never quite develops into something memorable. If the first act had been tighter, the editing sharper, and the story less dependent on worn-out genre habits, it could have delivered something far more effective. Instead, it becomes another reminder that strong performances alone cannot compensate for storytelling that lacks urgency, originality, and narrative control.
L-R: Daisy Ridley as Ava and Brenton Thwaites as Clay in WE BURY THE DEAD. Photo courtesy of Vertical Entertainment.
The fact that the Blu-ray doesn’t come with any special features really makes you question whether it’s worth purchasing at all. For a movie that was already disappointing on its own, the lack of bonus content only adds to that disappointment. Special features such as deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes footage, commentary tracks, or interviews often help justify buying a physical release, especially when the film itself fails to leave a strong impression.
Daisy Ridley as Ava in WE BURY THE DEAD. Photo Credit: Nic Duncan. Photo courtesy of Vertical Entertainment.
Without any of those extras, the Blu-ray feels like a bare-bones release that offers little added value beyond the movie itself. For viewers who were already underwhelmed by the film, this minimal presentation makes the purchase even harder to justify and leaves the overall release feeling incomplete and forgettable.
No bonus features included with this release.
Available on Blu-ray and DVD March 17th, 2026.
For more information, head to the official Campfire Studios We Bury the Dead webpage.
Final Score: 1.5 out of 5.
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Categories: Home Release, Home Video, Recommendation, Reviews
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