Daisy Ridley’s We Bury the Dead Is Her Best Performance To Date

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Daisy Ridley is building a successful career, and she has several exciting projects on the horizon, including a new Star Wars film, Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, and The Good Samaritan. If you’re a fan of her work, be sure to check out her latest movie, We Bury the Dead, which is now streaming on Hulu.

Despite not being heavily promoted as a zombie movie, We Bury The Dead offers a fresh perspective on the genre and has been well-received by critics. With an 88% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film is considered a standout achievement in Ridley’s career, offering a unique take on a familiar concept.

Daisy Ridley Had Been Establishing Her Style Outside Of Star Wars

Daisy Ridley’s career has had its share of both successes and challenges, shaping her into the actor she is today. Her performance as Rey in the recent Star Wars trilogy was particularly impressive, inspiring a new generation of fans. Ridley clearly connected with the role, and for good reason – Rey is central to the franchise and introduced many people to the world of Star Wars. It’s fitting that Ridley now has the opportunity to spearhead a new era of the series.

Although Star Wars launched Ridley’s career, it also created challenges. The film brought criticism of her acting and led to her being offered similar roles repeatedly. For a while, it appeared the franchise was hindering her development as an actress and limiting the types of parts she could play. This is a common problem for actors heavily associated with Disney projects – the Aladdin cast provides a recent example of how difficult it can be to move beyond those roles.

Kelly Ridley has been steadily establishing a career beyond Star Wars, and her acting is clearly improving with each new role. She recently delivered a standout performance, going head-to-head with many established actors. Her latest film, The Young Woman and the Sea, is a beautifully made biopic that positions Ridley as a positive role model while also powerfully retelling an inspiring true story.

Despite her talent, some of Mackenzie Davis’s performances haven’t fully connected with audiences. While The Marsh King’s Daughter showed potential as a thriller, it didn’t quite succeed, and the same can be said for other roles. In these cases, Davis delivers a fantastic performance, but the scripts or direction hold her back. That’s why her latest role in We Bury The Dead is so impressive – it’s a powerful showcase of both her skill and range, and suggests horror might be the perfect genre for her.

We Bury The Dead Serves As An Unusual Genre Piece

While We Bury The Dead is Ridley’s newest film, it’s worth talking about for more than just that. This horror movie stands out from the crowd, offering a unique take on the zombie genre. It creates a distinct mood, existing in a nuanced gray area, and aims to deliver a fresh message. Though audiences think they’ve seen everything the zombie format has to offer, We Bury The Dead still manages to find new ground to explore.

The basic idea behind We Bury The Dead is simple: the film follows Ava Newman in a world devastated by war, where the dead are coming back to life and causing a global catastrophe. While there are other elements at play, the story primarily centers on Ava’s desperate search for her husband in a dangerous world overrun with people hunting the undead.

This story is more about people than the big idea it presents, and we’ll see that especially through the character of Ava. But it’s also important to recognize the fantastic supporting cast, including Brenton Thwaites (from Titans), Mark Coles Smith, Kym Jackson, and Matt Whelan. Many of these actors are delivering some of the best work of their careers.

While Zak Hilditch wrote and directed We Bury The Dead, the film was a true collaboration. Steve Annis’s beautiful cinematography, Merlin Eden’s skillful editing, and Clark’s captivating score all played crucial roles in bringing the story to life. The film feels like a carefully composed orchestra, where each artist’s talent shines through. However, Ridley delivers a particularly standout performance, acting as the compelling solo within that orchestra.

Ridley Shines In This Character Study

Critics are really enjoying We Bury The Dead, but audiences are confused – and it’s likely due to how the film was advertised. At its core, this is a character-driven story set in a bleak, isolated world. However, the initial trailers led people to believe it would be a typical, fast-paced zombie movie filled with huge scares and action, the kind that could become a classic in the genre.

The story surprised viewers with its deliberate pace and focus on characters’ histories alongside the post-apocalyptic world. It truly gained momentum when a possible love story emerged, interwoven with complex issues like infidelity, strained family relationships, and the heartbreak of infertility. Despite being set amidst chaos, the story’s core themes – like love, loss, and family – felt universal and could resonate even outside of its dramatic setting.

What truly sets this film apart from others in the genre is its captivating nature. Although Ridley’s character shares a similar internal struggle with Clay, played by Thwaites, she experiences a profound sense of loneliness. Ridley is haunted by past errors and desperately seeks a brighter future, all within a particularly desolate world. When her character, Ava, receives a surprising act of kindness, the audience can truly feel her relief.

Despite her talent, Daisy Ridley hasn’t quite had the career she deserves, and hasn’t been given roles that fully showcase her abilities. While she’s been good in past projects, she’s capable of so much more, possessing impressive skill and emotional depth. She truly shines in films like We Bury The Dead, a moving story about those who feel lost, and it’s unfortunate that it didn’t reach a wider audience. With a fresh look, viewers will likely discover a lot to appreciate in the film.

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2026-05-08 13:07