Didn't Die

Podcasting doesn’t seem like a dangerous endeavor, but it sure is in the middle of a zombie apocalypse in this chilly horror drama from Indian American director Meera Menon (“Equity,” Ms. Marvel). The end times have come, and Vinita must hold onto her fractured family, her show’s listeners…and her sanity.

DIDN’T DIE is a post-apocalyptic dramedy about Vinita, a podcast host who hides her fear behind sarcastic humor while documenting a world overrun by “biters.” With civilization crumbling and her dwindling audience stuck in quarantine, Vinita’s emotional armor begins to crack when her ex, Vincent, shows up with a baby. As an homage to George Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead,” DIDN’T DIE, is a take on the zombie genre that poignantly explores the psychological toll of living through societal collapse. Director Meera Menon uses stark black-and-white cinematography to create an atmosphere of dread that surrounds an intimate story about flawed characters. Kiran Deol brings depth and droll humor to Vinita’s character, revealing the vulnerability beneath her cynical exterior. This film explores contemporary anxieties, particularly those shaped by the pandemic.