The Cannes market is buzzing with activity as distributors eagerly acquire a diverse array of captivating films. One standout is the dark 1970s serial killer thriller, Golden State Killer, featuring the compelling pairing of James Franco and Vincent Gallo. Additionally, Deadline has recently revealed that the post-apocalyptic zombie movie We Bury the Dead, starring Daisy Ridley, has been secured by Vertical Entertainment!
Peter Jarowey, a partner at Vertical, expressed his enthusiasm for the deal, stating, “With an incredible cast led by Daisy Ridley and Brenton Thwaites, Zak has truly revitalized the zombie genre with We Bury the Dead. Next year, audiences in North America will be on the edge of their seats, immersed in this thrilling narrative.” Crafted by writer Hilditch, the film explores themes of “loss, grief, and the undead.” In this intense storyline, Ridley plays Ava, a woman frantically searching for her missing husband after a catastrophic military experiment. As she aligns herself with a “body retrieval unit,” her quest takes a chilling turn when the deceased she buries begin to resurrect.
Joining Ridley in this project are Brenton Thwaites from Titans and Mark Coles Smith from Mystery Road: Origin. This ambitious venture has received full funding from several organizations, including Screen Australia, Screenwest, Lotterywest, the WA Regional Screen Fund, and Gramercy Park Media. Producers Kelvin Munro and Grant Sputore of The Penguin Empire are collaborating with Ross Dinerstein of Campfire Studios, along with Joshua Harris and Mark Fasano from Gramercy Park Media. Executive producers Nathan Klingher and Ford Corbett are also involved in the project.
Initially, the film generated significant excitement upon its announcement. Sputore conveyed his eagerness, stating, “We are excited to collaborate with Zak and Campfire on this project. Zak has an extraordinary ability to merge emotion with horror. Bringing one of his films to our home turf of Western Australia is particularly thrilling.” Meanwhile, Hilditch praised Ridley, commenting, “Having Daisy take on the role of Ava is a dream come true. She captures the vulnerability, strength, and determination that are essential to Ava’s character.”
Following its screening at SXSW, responses have varied. Chris Bumbray noted in his critique that while We Bury the Dead is ambitious, it sometimes feels a bit too familiar within the saturated zombie genre: “Despite its aspirations, We Bury the Dead struggles to break new ground. While it doesn’t entirely escape the genre’s clichés, it remains engaging thanks to impressive craftsmanship and strong performances from Ridley and Thwaites. It’s solid, although somewhat unremarkable.”
