ICYMI. Neon revealed the official trailer for Handling The Undead, the Norwegian horror film, based on the book of the same name by John Ajvide Lindqvist, gives an emotionally haunting twist on the zombie genre when three families discover that their loved ones, recently dead, have returned.
Starring in the movie are Renate Reinsve, Anders Danielsen Lie, Bjørn Sundquist, Bente Børsum, Bahar Pars, Inesa Dauksta
Release Date
Directed by Thea Hvistendahl, Handling the Undead world premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, and opens at the IFC Center in New York on May 31st before expanding on June 7th.
Synopsis
On a hot summer day in Oslo, the dead mysteriously awaken, and three families are thrown into chaos when their deceased loved ones come back to them. Who are they, and what do they want?
A family is faced with the mother’s reawakening before they have even mourned her death after a car accident; an elderly woman gets the love of her life back the same day she has buried her; a grandfather rescues his grandchild from the gravesite in a desperate attempt to get his daughter out of her depression.
Handling the Undead is a drama with elements of horror about three families, a story about grief and loss, but also about hope and understanding of what we can’t comprehend or control.
“I wanted to make a film about how people in deep grief would react to getting their dead loved ones back. I wanted to investigate the emotions, conflicts and existential questions that this phenomenon could unearth in someone. To try and give resolution to individuals, characters that are longing for the return of those lost… and show them what this would actually mean.” – director, Thea Hvistendahl.
Reviews
Deadline review brilliantly sums up the film, writing, “In the landscape of zombie cinema, a genre full of predictability, Handling the Undead emerges not as a full-fledged horror film but a unique, slow burn, dominated by drama and avoiding jump scares, for a haunting and atmospheric journey.”
The review continued, “The film stands out for its measured approach to a typically action-packed genre, and challenges viewers to confront their notions of loss and acceptance, delivering an emotionally resonant message long after the credits roll.”
Official Trailer
Watch the official trailer for Handling The Undead