What happens when the end of world isn’t the story… but merely the backdrop? That’s the intriguing premise of Didn’t Die, a new indie film that uses a – yes, I’ll say it – zombie apocalypse as a useful metaphor for pandemic upheavals.
The film follows Vinita, a wonderfully snarky Indian-American podcaster. She’s been travelling the country for her Didn’t Die podcast, documenting the myriad ways humanity is coping, surviving, amidst the undead. But her true journey is inward, as she returns to her hometown – a place brimming with the ghosts of her past: family, a former lover, and the weight of unresolved emotions
Didn’t Die isn’t much interested in jump scares. It’s a character-driven piece, a low-budget marvel that owes as much to the mumblecore movement as it does to Romero. Think of it as an examination of anxiety, grief, connection, and disconnection, and adaptation to “a new normal”
There are moments where the pacing feels a little uneven, and the low budget occasionally shows at the seams. But these are minor quibbles in a film that’s ultimately about the messy, imperfect process of finding our footing in a world turned upside down.
If you’re looking for a film that’s less about “Brains…..” and more about heart, Didn’t Die is well worth your time. It’s a reminder that even in the face of the unimaginable, life – in all its complicated, awkward glory – can find a way.
Optimistic Indie Roleplaying 