This isn’t your average zombie movie.

“We Bury the Dead” follows Ava, who searches for her missing husband after a catastrophic military disaster unleashes reanimated corpses.

Rather than focusing on carnage, “We Bury the Dead” emphasizes the emotional aftermath of an apocalyptic event. It’s a story of grief and loss… and maybe even guilt.

Grief Over Gore

Daisy Ridley (Ava Newman) is at the heart of it all. She brings subdued energy to the screen, while also turning it up a notch in moments of intensity. Quiet and layered, Ridley gives the film its emotional heartbeat. Still, she does deliver on a few moments of “badassery.”

It’s Brenton Thwaites (Clay) who injects much-needed comedy into the mix. Playing a very carefree individual, Thwaites’ character isn’t necessarily integral to the story. But he does make the journey a little more fun.

By bringing a dramatic approach to a zombie apocalypse, “We Bury the Dead” plays out as a character study. As Ava sees the dead rise, swings a weapon or learns more about her husband, a new layer is unveiled.

It’s a movie more about what an apocalypse can do to someone on a personal level, rather than the entire world around them. Within this, the title “We Bury the Dead” itself serves as a metaphor. Characters in this world are forced to bury pieces of themselves with each new scenario that arises.

Stillness as Horror

“We Bury the Dead” doesn’t rely on big set pieces. Instead, it achieves its at-times unsettling status through stillness. Whether it’s teeth grinding, fingers cracking or deadpan stares, the film is able to generate a lingering sense of creepiness. These may not be traditional zombies, but they’re still scary.

At 95 minutes long, “We Bury the Dead” flies by. Though, this shortened runtime does contribute to some of the film’s biggest problems.

Here, the audience is expected to buy into Ava’s journey. Despite this, the movie is oftentimes unable to provide clear development or backstory. This is by design to some degree, but it still diminishes full attachment to the character. On top of this, when details are finally revealed, they ultimately feel cliché and predictable.

This causes Ava’s story to come to a slightly clumsy conclusion. The meaning behind it all is still there, but it feels too safe.

A Clear Vision with Rough Edges

Characters also come and go in “We Bury the Dead.” Little to no explanation is given in between, resulting in a slightly uneven experience. Because of this, certain elements of the film are rushed while others are unnecessarily prolonged.

Director Zak Hilditch’s style makes this a distinguishable film. He is able to blend horror, thriller and dramatic tones well. There are a few hiccups along the way, but the vision is there.

Despite the foreseeable conclusion, “We Bury the Dead” does stick true to its identity in the closing moments. It’s quiet and ambiguous, allowing the audience to envision what the future may look like – rather than giving a definitive end.

“We Bury the Dead” features much less blood than your average zombie movie. And this isn’t a bad thing. The film remains familiar while also crafting its own identity within the subgenre.

Rating: 3 out of 5