While Didn’t Die is overall entertaining, it’s also a letdown that there is little horror or action in such a prime setting.
Didn’t Die, playing at Sundance, is a horror film that explores relationships and growth more than scary. While interesting with moments of tension, the movie fails to maintain it. Plus, although the synopsis describes it as a podcast host, Vinita, played by Kiran Deol (Advanced Chemistry, Sunnyside), fighting to keep her dwindling audience in a zombie apocalypse, the film does not deliver that. It’s more of a jumping-off point for diving into relationship drama with the zombies, which serves as more of a backdrop. While Didn’t Die is overall entertaining, it’s also a letdown that there is little horror or action in such a prime setting.
Directed by Meera Menon and written by Menon and Paul Gleason, it starts with a couple searching for gas in cars with their baby. As they argue about the husband’s mistake in thinking they have enough gas, it feels like the wife is not mad enough as the dire situation becomes clear. In this world, zombies are active at night. Maybe they’re soaking up UV rays as they sleep during the day. So, it’s a race against time to find gas and get to his mother’s place. Next is Vinita, dealing with her podcast, family, ex-boyfriend, and a baby.
Conflicts in Didn’t Die Sometimes Feels Inauthentic
Conflict, for the sake of it, deflates tension because it makes no sense to the viewer. Some conflicts make sense, such as evolving zombies becoming active during the day. The discomfort also makes sense when faced with a former partner with a baby in tow. But there are other moments, such as the former lovebirds arguing while zombies get closer, that do not. No one in their right mind will deny assistance escaping when zombies are mere feet away. Because of this, the few moments when zombies attack in Didn’t Die lose their dire quality.
The Cast Does Well, But The Lead Shines
Kiran Deol is the beating heart of the story, balancing a rugged exterior with moments of fear and pain that are palpable. Vishal Vijayakumar, who plays her brother Rish, does well playing her counter. He conveys all his feelings and struggles with the current world. Samrat Chakrabarti, who plays her other brother, Hari, feels emotionally closed off. However, Katie McCuen, who plays his wife, Barbara, there are moments of surprising comedy in the hermit couple. As Vinita’s former partner, Vincent, George Basil (Werewolves Within) feels a bit unbelievable because he has few redeeming qualities. Still, Kiran Deol ties it all together in Didn’t Die.
Barely There Action
By the film’s halfway mark, there is still little action despite being in a zombie apocalypse. The problem is that Didn’t Die takes on too much—evolving zombies, an ex-boyfriend, an orphaned baby, scared to kill brother, and more. So, there is little time to tackle the zombie hordes, let alone a podcast. The podcast comes more in the occasional dialogue from Vinita regarding her trip cross-country to meet with listeners and her thoughts on returning to her hometown. Rather than horror, it’s a drama that takes on too much within its runtime. Still, thanks to the cast—the lead in particular—Didn’t Die keeps it entertaining as people struggle to live, not just survive in an apocalypse.
Didn’t Die is a movie you’ll enjoy for what it is while still being disappointed for what it isn’t. It will feel like a letdown if you’re looking for a blood-soaked zombie horror movie. But with the acting, direction, and the black and white cinematography, there’s more here that works if you can let that go. It explores hiding fear while others drown in it.
Plus, it looks at what surviving and living mean when freedoms once taken for granted are gone. Also how one comes to terms with the new world after a crisis. In a time where some act like the pandemic is over while others prepare for doomsday, Didn’t Die highlights these different mindsets in a horrific setting without much horror.
