Brenton Thwaites

We Bury the Dead (2025): Daisy Ridley Searches for Her Spouse in This Zombie Flick

Posted on by Jack Drees

© 2025 – Vertical Entertainment

“We Bury the Dead” is written and directed by Zak Hilditch (1922, These Final Hours) and stars Daisy Ridley (Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Chaos Walking), Mark Coles Smith (Last Cab to Darwin, Pawno), and Brandon Thwaites (The Giver, Gods of Egypt). This film is set after the U.S.’s accidental detonation of an experimental weapon off the coast of Tasmania. At first, many people die, only for a sizable amount to become undead. From that point, the story centers around a woman named Ava, who is assigned to retrieve bodies and help soldiers maintain control of Tasmania as zombies rise.

Before we begin this review, I would like to wish everyone a belated Happy New Year! “We Bury the Dead” is the first new film I saw in 2026. The first new release of the year is always an interesting watch. Not only because to some degree, it sets a tone for what the movies could bring for the rest of the year, but also because, per usual, January is a 31 day schlockfest for cinema.

I did not know what to expect with “We Bury the Dead.” I missed out on the trailers or spots related to the film, but I was delighted to see Daisy Ridley in the starring role. The actress may not have done anything as big as “Star Wars” this decade, but it is nice to see such a talented performer star in a smaller production like this. As for my thoughts on the film, I found it to be amusing. There are very few adjectives I feel could accurately describe my experience of watching this movie, but I walked out of “We Bury the Dead” won over in more ways than one.

For starters, the movie has a great hook. It kind of has a “Godzilla” feel with a big explosion to kick things off. It took me back to 2014 when I saw that particular “Godzilla” film in the theater for the first time. We find out a weapon goes off in Tasmania, tons of people die. Right from the getgo, the movie has my attention. If you read my top 10 WORST movies list of 2025, you would know that I have seen a few flicks last year that had me hooked in the first minute or two only to have the rest of the film fail to live up to what happened at the beginning. That is not the case with “We Bury the Dead.” While I cannot say the film gets significantly better than what we see at the start, it maintains a sense of quality throughout.

The story, despite having zombies in it, maintains a surprisingly grounded vibe. If you take out the zombie element, then this is simply a movie where a wife is looking for her husband. If you are looking for zombie action in this film, it does exist, though it does feel rather minimal. It essentially happens when the story allows it, but I have no complaints.

Going back to Daisy Ridley, she gives a soulful, engaging performance as Ava. I always had an appreciation for her acting chops and have found all of her portrayals to be solid, even with the couple that I have seen in the era following her “Star Wars” outings. This one is no exception. I found Ridley to blend perfectly with the film’s somewhat minimalist feel while still serving as an occasional beam of emotional power. Ava is the heart and soul of this film and Ridley is a good pick to play her.

“We Bury the Dead” also happens to be Brenton Thwaites first movie role in years. He had a brief rise to fame in the 2010s with films like “The Giver” and “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.” I am glad to see he is continuing to find work, and frankly, work that is superior to those recently mentioned films. Thwaites has proven that he is talented, but his resume does not quite live up to his potential. “We Bury the Dead” film may not be as recognizable as “Pirates” or as expensive as “Gods of Egypt” or based on something as positively received as “The Giver…” Say what you will on the final results of that last one… Like those previous films, Thwaites does his best here as Clay. Though as I say that, his acting chops this time around match the film’s commitment to quality.

“We Bury the Dead” is a creative flick that makes the most of its smaller budget. That budget sometimes shows, but a smaller film like this one can result in a purer experience. This is most evident in the film’s shot selection. As I write this review, I look back at some of my favorite shots of the film and a couple that come to mind are when the camera’s up high, aiming down at a road, and we see characters passing through or whatever has been left behind. From time to time, the film’s shots look like something out of an art museum. While the film is set in Tasmania, it is actually shot in Australia, and I admire the locations that were chosen for each scene. Each one looks as sweet as the last.

The film also has quite the ending. I obviously will not spoil the ending, though it is worth talking about to a degree. The film’s ending plays a lot into its constant thread of relationships. By the time we get to it, the scene feels earned and I felt for Ava based on what was encountering in the moment. There is a scene around the middle of the film between the two main characters, Ava and Riley (Coles Smith) that sees the two discussing the relationships with their spouses, sharing things they have in common, and perhaps hinting what life could be like should they have a future together. This scene ultimately plays a role in what happens to be the film’s very last moments, which allow things to close on a satisfying note. “We Bury the Dead” is not the best zombie movie, nor is it the best movie about relationships. However, when it comes to both those ideas, the film is much better than I expected it to be despite it having a decent cast. Will I remember this movie five years from now? That is hard to say. But do I regret seeing it? Absolutely not.

In the end, “We Bury the Dead” is one of those movies that gets better the more I think about it. It is not a perfect film. But I do think it makes the most of its budget, introduces some likable characters, and has some really nice cinematography. If you are looking for the scariest, most bonkers, or even the most fun zombie flick ever made, you might want to look elsewhere. Though I was surprised by how engaged I was by this film’s handling of relationships. I do think a rewatch of this film is in order at some point. While I cannot say I loved the movie, it would be wrong to suggest that it is in any way incompetent. If you get a chance, go see it. I am going to give “We Bury the Dead” a 7/10.

“We Bury the Dead” is now playing in theaters. Tickets are available now.

Thanks for reading this review! My next review is going to be for “Primate!” Stay tuned! The 2026 reviews are only getting started! But if you want relive 2025 for a moment or two, be sure to check out my end of the year countdowns where I discuss my worst films of the year, most disappointing films of the year, and best films of the year!

Also, little bit of housekeeping, Scene Before’s annual awards show, the Jack Awards, are back on February 8th! The nominations will be revealed January 25th. In less than a month, it will be time to honor the finest that 2025 has offered in cinema once more.

If you want to see this upcoming awards show and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “We Bury the Dead?” What did you think about it? Or, what movies are you looking forward to in 2026? I did not make a most anticipated list this year, but I am dying to see Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey.” Based on the film’s marketing so far, the film looks fantastically epic, and I am beyond happy to confirm that I already have my ticket to see the film in IMAX 70mm later this year. Let me know what you are looking forward to down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017): Jack Sparrow’s Least Memorable Quest Yet

Posted on by Jack Drees

Hey everyone, Jack Drees here! It is time for the fifth and final installment in the ongoing review series “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Chest of Reviews!” So far, each film I have talked about has impressed me in one way or another. I cannot say any of them were totally perfect, but I do recommend them for various reasons. If you want to find out more about why I recommend these movies, read my reviews for “The Curse of the Black Pearl,” “Dead Man’s Chest,” “At World’s End,” and “On Stranger Tides.” Now with that out of the way, it is time to talk about “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.”

“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” is directed by Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg, two directors known for their work on 2012’s “Kon Tiki.” This film stars Johnny Depp (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Sleepy Hollow), Javier Bardem (Vicky Cristina Barcelona, No Country For Old Men) Geoffrey Rush (Ned Kelly, Finding Nemo) Brenton Thwaites (The Giver, Gods of Egypt), Kaya Scodelario (Skins, The Maze Runner), and Kevin McNally (The Phantom of the Opera, Conspiracy). “Dead Men Tell No Tales” is the fifth installment to the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise and follows Jack Sparrow as he is pursued by a notable, ongoing threat, Captain Salazar, who was killed some time ago by Sparrow but now he returns to end Jack Sparrow’s life.

“PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES”..The villainous Captain Salazar (Javier Bardem) pursues Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) as he searches for the trident used by Poseidon..Ph: Film Frame..©Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

So far, the “Pirates” films have all been at the very least… “competent.” Even “Dead Man’s Chest,” which I ended up giving a 6/10, still had its moments of joy and fun. I think Gore Verbinski did a wonderful job at finding a fascinating balance between goofiness and seriousness with the first three films, even though as the trilogy progressed, the darkness kept creeping up. Although given my personal tastes, I would not call that a huge negative. As mentioned in my review for “On Stranger Tides,” Rob Marshall took on directing duties for that particular installment, which ended up providing mixed results. I enjoyed the movie. It’s a serviceable “Pirates” adventure, but I feel like Marshall, the writers, and Disney spent more time trying to think about how the film could look good in 3D as opposed to crafting a story, which is kind of unfortunate because I was rather interested in the Fountain of Youth concept.

On that note, I will address that my first positive regarding “Dead Men Tell No Tales,” despite it ultimately being released in 3D, the directors of the film did a better job at not going over the top in terms of making the film feel more like a gimmick. At the same time though I will jump to my first negative, this film is arguably my least favorite film in the “Pirates” franchise in terms of story.

On paper, I feel like this fifth film was made more or less to get people paid rather than provide an entertaining experience. I mean, come on! Was everyone so desperate for a fifth “Pirates of the Caribbean” film? But as I have learned with “The LEGO Movie,” any movie can work if you execute it properly. Did they properly execute “Dead Men Tell No Tales?”

Well, kinda. Like all the other “Pirates” films, this is an enjoyable watch. But it may also arguably be the one of the bunch that has the least potential in terms of replay value. Or at least replay value mixed with excitement. I do like how they go down the Turner lineage in this film. In the original movies we obviously see Orlando Bloom play Will Turner, a character who I have grown to admire throughout the franchise. Unfortunately, he did not have a presence in the fourth movie. In this fifth installment, we mainly focus on his son, Henry Turner. We see him early on, he’s ordered by Captain Salazar to deliver a message to Sparrow. Then we eventually see him alongside Sparrow throughout the film. I think Thwaites is one of those actors who definitely has the physique, or lack thereof in this case mixed in with some hints of charisma, to play the type of character a script like this one needs. I did not like “Gods of Egypt.” I think it is one of the worst films to have come out in 2016. But the main problem was not Brenton Thwaites as a performer. I think of the direction given to him and some of the other cast members is a hindrance on the film itself, but Thwaites is not the problem. In the same way, “Dead Men Tell No Tales” is probably my least favorite of the “Pirates” films. But there are also things to like about it, Brenton Thwaites’s performance is in fact one of those things. Although when it comes to Turners, Henry is no Will. I feel like Orlando Bloom was born to play Will Turner. As much of a match Thwaites is as his son, Will’s just a slightly more likable character. I bought Orlando Bloom as a brave apprentice in “The Curse of the Black Pearl” and ever since he has grown on me. If they make a “Pirates 6,” which seems less likely by the day given what’s going on with Johnny Depp, who does a good job in the movie, I would be curious to see Henry Turner again, I just don’t know if he’ll maintain the charisma that his father had.

If you want to get a simple perspective of my thoughts on “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales,” I will just sum it up like this. Even though “Dead Man’s Chest” earned a lower grade than the other four films I reviewed before this one, I at least remember a good portion of that film. I am increasingly forgetting “Dead Men Tell No Tales” by the second. It’s not that I want to forget it. It’s just not as great of a film as maybe I would have hoped to have gotten. In fact one of my complaints regarding “Dead Man’s Chest” that is also one of my complaints regarding “Dead Men Tell No Tales” is that Jack Sparrow goes through this event where he almost arguably should die. Now, it’s probably not as absurd as the one in “Dead Man’s Chest,” where we see Jack falling from such an enormous height and being completely okay. But if I put myself in another mindset, it also kind of is more absurd. It’s hard to compare these two unrealistic events in terms of which one ticks me off more. I’m not gonna say exactly what happens, but if you’ve seen “Dead Men Tell No Tales,” you probably know what I am referring to as soon as I say the word “guillotine.”

“PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES”..The villainous Captain Salazar (Javier Bardem) pursues Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) as he searches for the trident used by Poseidon..Ph: Film Frame..©Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

I think if there’s one thing that I like about “Dead Men Tell No Tales” it’s that there is a sense of maintained consistency between this film and all the other ones that have been done so far. A lot of the familiar music returns in this installment. Some characters like Jack Sparrow, Barbossa, and Gibbs return as their charismatic selves. Per usual, the movie does make me want to immerse myself in a high-seas adventure. Although I feel like the fun that I had in this film is a far cry from the fun I had with say “The Curse of the Black Pearl.” The supporting characters in this film, and I will also admit that the first movie had this problem to a degree, were not as fascinating as the script was trying to make them out to be. Although I do think Kaya Scodelario and once again, Brenton Thwaites, gave competent performances.

“PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES”..The villainous Captain Salazar (Javier Bardem) pursues Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) as he searches for the trident used by Poseidon..Ph: Film Frame..©Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

In the end, I have already forgotten a good portion of “Dead Men Tell No Tales,” and I did not want to say that. This is easily my least favorite of the “Pirates” films. I do want to watch it again at some point. Maybe it’s better the second time, but based on the collective consensus, I think most people would agree with my statement. The film looks good, sounds good, is performed decently, but they just couldn’t stick the landing. It seems as if the directors did everything they could to recapture the magic of the original movie, but as they tried to do it, they just ended up making something that would make me tune out every now and then. The vibe is okay, I just wish that it were in a better movie. Do I want to see a “Pirates 6?” I wouldn’t say no. But if we do get one, I just hope it’s better than this. I’m going to give “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” a 5/10.

“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” is available wherever you buy movies including DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K Blu-ray. You can also subscribe to Disney+ and watch the movie there at your convenience.

Thanks for reading this review! Also, thanks for tuning in to my “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Chest of Reviews” series. I hope you enjoyed reading these reviews! Speaking of Disney theme park rides, be sure to stay tuned for my eventual review of “Jungle Cruise.” It won’t be my next post, I still have to review “Snake Eyes.” But it is coming!

Also, stay tuned for August because I will be diving into a cult classic series that I often look back on, “Revenge of the Nerds.” That’s right! On August 9th, we will be doing a brand new review series titled “Revenge of the Nerds: Nerds in Review!” This means on Monday, August 9th, I will be talking about the first “Revenge of the Nerds” installment, which has become one of my more rewatched comedies in recent years. On August 16th, I’ll be discussing “Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise.” AND YES, I’ll even discuss the TV films. Look forward to my reviews of “Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation” on August 23rd and “Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love” on August 30th. I’m doing this review series, in addition to a bunch of others in honor Scene Before’s fifth anniversary. I have always wanted to do a “Revenge of the Nerds” themed month, so I cannot wait to share my thoughts on this long-awaited series. If you want to see this and more on Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account, and like the Facebook page, so you can stay tuned for more great content! I want to know, did you see “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales?” What did you think about it? Or, give me your ranking of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” films from best to worst. Which swashbuckling adventure is following its compass into the right direction? Which high-seas escape sinks into the ocean? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!