Introduction
If you want to see a perfect blend of psychological horror and post-apocalyptic thriller, then We Bury the Dead Movie can be a must-watch horror film for you. The concept of this film may seem simple – a woman joins a body retrieval unit in search of her missing husband, but as the story progresses, things get even more creepy and unsettling.
This movie does not only focus on horror elements, but also explores deep themes like grief, trauma, and survival. So let’s do a detailed review of this movie, in which we will analyze the plot, themes, cinematography, sound design, and performances.
Table of Contents
Plot Summary
The story revolves around Ava (the protagonist), who is a devastated wife who goes on a dangerous mission to find her husband. Her husband is missing after a military experiment, and Ava is desperate to find him.
When she becomes part of a ‘body retrieval unit’, it initially seems that this will be a dangerous but straightforward job – collecting the bodies of the people who have fallen victim to this disaster. But, as Ava and her team exonerate the corpses, a strange truth is revealed – these corpses aren’t just corpses… they feel alive.
The mystery gets even more intense when Ava starts to suspect that her husband was also a part of the experiment. The story slowly moves toward a terrifying revelation, in which Ava has to face a horrifying truth.
Themes and Motifs
This film is not just a horror story, but it has multiple layers that make it even more compelling. Some key themes are:
Grief and Loss – Ava’s character constantly fluctuates between grief and hope. Will she find her husband or will she just get a terrifying version of him?
Military Experiments and Ethical Dilemmas – The film depicts a dystopian world in which the dark side of human experiments and unethical military practices is shown.
Survival and Madness – When a person is in an extreme situation, how his sanity deteriorates is also a major theme.
Character Development
Ava’s character is a perfect example of a strong yet vulnerable protagonist. Initially, she is motivated only by her mission, but as the story unfolds, her transformation is worth watching.
The supporting characters are also well-written, which makes Ava’s emotional and psychological journey even more impactful. But the main highlight is Ava’s internal struggle – is her hope her strength or her downfall?
Visuals and Cinematography
The cinematography is a major highlight of this movie. A dark and desaturated color palette is used which enhances the overall eerie atmosphere of the movie.
The camera work is also quite immersive – tight close-ups emphasize Ava’s psychological state, while wide shots show the emptiness and horror of a post-apocalyptic world. The blend of special effects and practical effects is also quite effective, making the undead bodies more real and disturbing.
Sound and Music
Sound design is another strong point of this film. The background score is slow and haunting, which builds tension.
In particular, the use of silence is quite impactful – in some key scenes, only ambient sounds are used without any background score, which further increases the horror and suspense. The eerie sounds added to the unnatural movements of the corpses are quite unsettling.
Direction and Writing
The direction of the film is quite precise and effective. The director has delivered a well-paced horror thriller that doesn’t rely solely on jump scares but creates slow-burning dread.
The writing is also quite layered, and the dialogues have a realistic and grounded feel. The approach to storytelling is nonlinear, which makes the suspense even more engaging.
Personal Opinion
If you like psychological horror that doesn’t focus solely on typical slasher or supernatural tropes, We Bury the Dead could be a fresh experience for you. I loved its atmospheric horror and character-driven narrative
But yes, if you like fast-paced horror in which there are constant jump scares and action, then maybe this will seem a bit slow. This film is a slow-burn horror that slowly reveals its layers.
Conclusion
We Bury the Dead is a unique and thought-provoking horror film that is not just made to scare, but delivers a deep and unsettling story. The combination of grief, hope, and horror makes for a memorable cinematic experience.
If you like a blend of horror and thriller, and want to see a disturbing yet emotional story, then this movie should be on your watchlist!
Rating: 8.5/10