‘Handling the Undead’ Review: Exploring Grief and Loss in Norwegian Drama

In the chilly Norwegian drama ‘Handling the Undead,’ the dead make a haunting return, turning the zombie genre from midnight movie to arthouse exploration. Director Thea Hvistendahl’s debut film delves into the depths of grief, testing the boundaries of acceptance and denial as characters grapple with the chance to reunite with their loved ones.

Set against the backdrop of Oslo on a summer’s day, the film follows three intertwined dynamics disrupted by the perplexing reappearance of the deceased. A single mother, portrayed by Renate Reinsve, confronts her past when her once-dead son miraculously returns. An elderly woman attends her partner’s funeral only to find them alive again at home, while the death of a mother shatters her family, only for her husband to discover her breathing once more.

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Based on John Ajvide Lindqvist’s novel, the film raises thought-provoking questions about grief and longing. Hvistendahl’s narrow focus delves into individual experiences rather than the broader societal response to the phenomenon. Grief, portrayed as a strange and consuming force, drives characters to dark and irrational places, challenging their perceptions of life and death.

Though never explicitly labelled as such, the zombies in the film exist as silent, breathing corpses, prompting loved ones to question the true nature of their grief. The script, crafted by Hvistendahl and Lindqvist, subtly explores these themes through the characters’ eyes, particularly through Reinsve’s compelling performance.

While the film’s lugubrious pace may test patience, Hvistendahl’s direction leads to a gripping climax that balances emotional depth with expected horror. The final moments of ‘Handling the Undead’ leave a haunting impression, reflecting the enduring pain of loss that may never fade, no matter how hard one tries to move on.