Daisy Ridley Explores Emotional Depth in "We Bury the Dead"

Daisy Ridley stars as Ava in the upcoming film *We Bury the Dead*, a character grappling with the emotional and relational strains of infertility. Ridley draws from personal experiences and the stories of those around her who have faced similar challenges, emphasizing the profound impact that such struggles can have on individuals and their relationships.

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In *We Bury the Dead*, Ava's marriage is strained due to her and her husband's difficulties in conceiving. Ridley reflects on the emotional toll of in vitro fertilization (IVF), stating, “It can take a toll emotionally and physically on women, but also on their relationships while they’re going through it.” This connection to real-life experiences enhances her portrayal, as she channels the palpable feelings of longing and frustration that accompany the journey of trying to conceive.

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Ridley notes that her character's journey is not just about personal grief but also about understanding the grief of others. A particularly unsettling scene involves a soldier, played by Mark Coles Smith, which showcases a complex emotional exchange. Ridley describes how the scene took unexpected turns, leading to moments of genuine fear and spontaneity during filming. “There were things that weren’t scripted that ended up happening during that sequence,” she explains, highlighting the collaborative atmosphere on set that allowed for authentic emotional expressions.

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In addition to *We Bury the Dead*, Ridley is set to star in *The Last Resort*, a romantic comedy alongside Alden Ehrenreich. The film marks a long-awaited collaboration between the two actors, who were initially supposed to work together a decade ago. Ridley expresses excitement about this project, stating, “I was really thrilled when he came on.”

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Moreover, Ridley’s husband, Tom Bateman, is also involved in the film industry, recently wrapping up a romantic comedy titled *The Love Hypothesis*, which has roots in fan fiction related to Ridley’s character, Rey, from *Star Wars*. Ridley humorously recounts how Bateman was unaware of the film's origins until after he was cast.

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Ridley acknowledges a recurring theme in her roles, often portraying characters who experience loneliness. She reflects on this trend, stating, “I’ve never had a plan of what I want to do next. I’m just drawn to what I’m drawn to.” However, she notes that her character in *The Last Resort* offers a contrast, as it allows her to explore joy in companionship, diverging from the loneliness often depicted in her previous roles.

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Ridley emphasizes the importance of authenticity in her performances, particularly in *We Bury the Dead*, where she aims to represent the emotional complexities of infertility. She states, “I understood that feeling of wanting something so much, and how difficult that can be, in a way that I never had before.”

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• “It can take a toll emotionally and physically on women, but also on their relationships while they’re going through it.” — Daisy Ridley, Actress

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• “I generally don’t take my work home with me, but there were things that weren’t scripted that ended up happening during that sequence.” — Daisy Ridley, Actress

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• “It ended up not happening, but we became buddies, so I was really thrilled when he came on.” — Daisy Ridley, on Alden Ehrenreich

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• “But I have never had a plan of what I want to do next.” — Daisy Ridley, Actress

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Through her roles, Ridley continues to explore deep emotional themes, connecting personal experiences with the narratives she portrays, making her performances resonate with audiences.

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