A Western Australian survival thriller that’s already made waves in the United States is arriving in Australian and New Zealand cinemas today, bringing the dramatic landscapes of Albany and the Great Southern region to the big screen.
We Bury the Dead, written and directed by Perth-born filmmaker Zak Hilditch, opened to an impressive $2.5 million USD at the US box office before its local release on February 5th. The film stars Daisy Ridley (Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens), Brenton Thwaites (Titans), and Mark Coles Smith (Mystery Road: Origin).
Filmed entirely in Albany and the Great Southern region in 2024, the zombie thriller showcases the area’s spectacular landscapes whilst delivering what reviewers describe as impressive makeup and sound effects.
Creative Industries Minister Simone McGurk echoed that sentiment, saying, “The grandeur of our Great Southern landscape is used to great dramatic effect, and the incredibly impressive makeup and sound effects will stay with you long after the credits roll.”
From Perth to Hollywood and back
Hilditch, who previously directed 1922 and These Final Hours, returns to his home state with this production, which was produced by WA-based team Kelvin Munro and Grant Sputore (The Furnace, I Am Mother). The film made its world premiere at the prestigious South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas, before screening at CinefestOZ in Busselton, where it was named a finalist for the 2025 Film Prize.
The production delivered an estimated $9.3 million to the WA economy during filming, supported by the Cook Government’s WA Regional Screen Fund and the Post-Production, Digital and Visual Effects Rebate. Screen Australia, Screenwest, and Lotterywest also provided major production investment.
Part of WA’s screen boom
The film’s release comes during an exciting period for Western Australia’s screen industry. Romantic comedy Twice Over was recently filmed in Fremantle, whilst WAPPA graduate Dacre Montgomery returned to the state last year to direct his debut feature film, The Engagement Party. Last week, Netflix’s first WA-based series, Breakers, also began production in the South West.
Minister Simone McGurk is excited about the project, commenting, “This is such an exciting time for WA’s film industry, with homegrown writer-director Zak Hilditch showcasing our spectacular Great Southern region to the world.”
We Bury the Dead is screening in cinemas across Australia and New Zealand from today.
