From Jeff Nelson

The oversaturated zombie sub-genre has been stretched in practically every direction imaginable, from the creatures to the setting they’re dropped in. Meera Menon’s Didn’t Die makes an indie concoction of Night of the Living Dead and the modern media twist of podcasting. The engrossing concept loses momentum in a tonal misfire that can’t find its flow.

Vinita (Kiran Deol) started a witty podcast with her younger brother, Rishi (Vishal Vijayakumar), after being one of the lucky survivors of the zombie apocalypse. However, the number of listeners with a heartbeat continues to dwindle. They live in quarantine with their older brother, Hari (Samrat Chakrabarti), and his wife, Barbara (Karie McCuen). The evolving house dynamics threaten their safety and sense of home.

This zombie apocalypse more closely mirrors social behaviors seen during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic era. Vinita continues her journey into the world despite the constant threat of “biters.” She isn’t afraid to kill them when faced with their immediate danger. Rishi joins her on these trips, although he’s more apprehensive and struggles to find the courage to attack what look like people. Meanwhile, Hari and Barbara become recluses, utterly terrified of the world beyond their walls. They’re content only remaining around this close-knit family, while Vinita insists on needing the outside world. It doesn’t help that she finds Barbara insufferable.

The podcast itself lacks a coherent identity, strangely operating more as a backdrop for character action and motivation than an inherently interesting part of the story. Vinita doesn’t anticipate the sudden reappearance of a womanizing ex-boyfriend, Vincent (George Basil), who listens to her podcast. However, he doesn’t show up empty-handed – he has a baby he saved from biters. The house dynamics change for good, putting their lives into perspective. Have they really been living?

The tired post-apocalyptic themes of grief, fear, and survival are ubiquitous. However, the actual horror comes in disappointingly small doses. The biters occasionally appear, providing the necessary jolts in a story with a mostly invisible threat that also beckons to the pandemic’s dangers. Unfortunately, the resulting zombie action falls flat, severely lacking thrills and scares. The most enthralling dramatic aspects come at the end, briefly touching on a more profound level of paranoia that isn’t properly tapped into until the credits are ready to roll.

Didn’t Die is a tangled tonal patchwork that struggles to mold its intriguing concept into a cohesive and compelling narrative. Unfortunately, the comedy isn’t funny, the horror isn’t scary, and the social commentary isn’t thought-provoking. Menon has a strong eye for direction, using good use of Paul Gleason’s black-and-white cinematography. The visual aesthetic provides a lo-fi charm that extends beyond simple nostalgia, but this is a far cry from the indie hit it could have been.

Rating: 1.5/5

Didn’t Die played Sundance 2025 on January 26th, 2025.

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