Daisy Ridley & Brenton Thwaites On We Bury the Dead’s Emotional Ending & Character Dynamics

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Be warned, this contains spoilers for the movie We Bury the Dead! Daisy Ridley’s character experiences a heartbreaking fate in the film, though it isn’t quite as devastating as it first seems. The Star Wars actress plays Ava Newman, who travels to Tasmania after a US military experiment goes horribly wrong, killing 500,000 people. Some died in the initial explosion, while others were affected by a pulse from the bomb that stopped their brains.

Ava joins a team that recovers bodies after a mysterious event, hoping to find her missing husband, Matt Whelan. Their marriage was struggling before he disappeared. While working with Clay, a local tradesman played by Brenton Thwaites (known from Titans), Ava is horrified not only by the bodies they find, but by the fact that some of them start to come back to life and become dangerous.

The story of We Bury the Dead comes to a close when Ava and Clay finally reach the resort where Mitch was staying. They discover he was, in fact, a victim of the explosion, which brings Ava some peace. Clay reveals he’s been grieving the loss of his pregnant wife. As they begin to rebuild their lives, they stumble upon a pregnant zombie who has just given birth. Before the credits roll, Ava and Clay decide to take in the newborn baby.

Before the film’s release, Tatiana Hullender from ScreenRant spoke with Daisy Ridley and Brenton Thwaites about We Bury the Dead. When asked about the movie’s ending and its meaning, Ridley explained that it highlights the idea of always having something to cherish. She also noted that Ava, her character, still has a lot to process, suggesting she’s still growing emotionally and hasn’t reached a final conclusion.

Daisy Ridley explained that her character finds a sense of peace in a specific moment. Director Zak Snyder had always included this small, hopeful scene—a little miracle amidst all the destruction and confusion—in his various versions of the story. This moment of hope is what will ultimately sustain her and Clay.

Ridley & Thwaites Found Something In Each Other Similar To How Their Characters Do

ScreenRant praised We Bury the Dead, specifically noting the effective use of brief flashbacks to show the connection between Ava and her husband. They asked if I discussed that relationship with my co-star, or if I developed my own ideas that influenced how I acted in those flashback scenes.

It was a really interesting process. Before filming began, we spent a few days discussing the characters’ relationships. Matt Whelan, who played Mitch, was a fantastic actor, and working with him was great. We actually filmed the wedding scene first, which was a lovely way to start – capturing Ava’s happiest moment right away. That scene really set the tone for everything that followed. A lot of the performance came down to my connection with Matt. I remember thinking during the wedding scene, ‘Wow, this is our first time filming together, and it’s this!’ But I immediately felt comfortable with him. The pregnancy test scene was similar – we experimented with different camera angles and positions, and director Zak Hilditch gave us space to improvise. A lot of that freedom came from feeling comfortable with Matt, and Zak trusting us to find the right moments organically.

ScreenRant asked about the relationship between Ava and Clay throughout the movie. They noted that Clay initially keeps his distance. The interviewer wanted to know how this dynamic changed as the film progressed, and how that played out between the actors, specifically with Brenton (who plays Clay).

Brenton and I connected instantly. He reminded me a lot of my brother-in-law, which made it easy to get along with him. He’s just a really warm and likable person. As we filmed, I found he brought a lightness out in both me and Ava that I hadn’t anticipated. There was a shared understanding between them – they were both going through this together, and Ava genuinely believed Clay had good intentions, even when she was pushing him to answer difficult questions. She understood his hesitation because she wasn’t ready to share everything about herself either. When they reunited after being apart, it was a really touching and beautiful moment, because they’d already built such a strong connection without knowing the full story. It’s a truly genuine and wonderful friendship. Honestly, Brenton and I were having a great time the entire time we were working together.

ScreenRant asked about Clay’s initial distance from Ava when they first meet, and how their relationship changes over time. I was asked to describe his first impression of her and how their connection develops.

Brenton Thwaites explained that the connection between his character, Clay, and Ava is interesting. Ava sees past Clay’s tough exterior – the cigarettes, tattoos, and carefree attitude – and realizes he’s actually running from a difficult past. He, in turn, recognizes that she’s striving towards something, and he chooses to help her, even if it means putting himself at risk. Clay is deeply wounded and seems indifferent to his own safety, perhaps even reckless, and struggles with self-loathing. However, throughout the film, he begins a journey of self-forgiveness and acceptance. He starts to resolve the internal conflicts that have haunted him. Ava goes through a similar process, though her journey is perhaps more direct and outwardly focused.

ScreenRant asked if the filmmakers talked with Zak Hilditch about the character’s history before the events of the movie, or if they developed details themselves to add depth to his story beyond what was written in the script.

I really dug into the character’s background – things like his childhood, family life, and whether he had positive male role models. We explored how those experiences might have led to things like his tattoos, smoking, and drinking. But ultimately, I focused on the fact that his tattoos of his wife and child showed a deep connection to his family and a real sense of regret. I felt keeping it simple – focusing on that longing for family – was more effective than overcomplicating things. He actually reminded me a lot of guys I know – builders, like some of my friends and neighbors. It was a combination of different influences, but that core desire for family was what guided my performance.

ScreenRant praised the film’s beautiful scenery, particularly the outdoor shots. They asked how filming in actual locations contributed to the final result.

Brenton Thwaites described filming in Albany, Western Australia – about four hours south of Perth – as an incredible experience. Although the movie is set in Tasmania, the rugged and remote coastline of Albany was perfect for a horror film that took place outdoors, rather than on a set. Having just finished another horror movie filmed entirely in a studio, Thwaites especially appreciated the magic of being on location with the cast and crew in a small town. He found it much easier to immerse himself in the story and the time period when filming in such a realistic environment, and he prefers this approach to filmmaking.

ScreenRant asked about the zombies in the show – specifically their distinct appearances and behaviors, noting the particularly disturbing way they bite. They wanted to know what it was like filming those scenes, and how encountering these aggressive zombies impacts Clay’s character.

That’s a great question. One of the most fascinating things about the film is the different types of zombies. At first, you almost feel bad for the infected – the military quickly deals with them. But as the story unfolds, you realize these zombies can reactivate if they have something left they need to finish. It’s an interesting twist that adds depth beyond the typical zombie movie. My character, Clay, isn’t a hero who goes looking for a fight, though. He’s more about getting the job done and is shocked by what’s happening. However, you definitely see his protective side with Ava – he’d do anything for her. I think that’s when we really see his heroic qualities emerge, after encountering that first truly aggressive zombie.

You know, before working on ‘We Bury the Dead,’ I’d spent years thinking about what really makes a great zombie movie. Honestly, it’s a tough call – there are so many! But when it comes to horror overall, what I love most is how it lets us explore our deepest fears in a safe space. It’s a way to confront the things that genuinely scare us, and sometimes even find a little catharsis in the process.

Brenton Thwaites is a big fan of the movie District 9. While it’s not technically a zombie film, he feels it fits the spirit of the genre because of the uncontrollable, widespread threat it presents. He considers it one of his all-time favorites, praising its South African origins, low budget, and excellent performances.

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2026-01-03 01:33