TrustNordisk, the international company behind Speak No Evil, Lake of Death, and Attachment, is handling international sales on the upcoming horror drama Handling the Dead, reports Variety, with Anonymous Content repping in the U.S.

Bloody Disgusting has the first look at an image from the Norwegian film directed by Thea Hvistendahl.

A character-driven horror/drama, the film deals with fundamental emotions around grief and mortality and the battle of accepting what we cannot control.

“On an abnormally hot summer day in Oslo, a strange electric field surrounds the city as a collective migraine spreads across town. TVs, lightbulbs, and electronics go haywire, the chaos reaching a debilitating crescendo when suddenly, it’s over. But the strange event has awoken the newly deceased from death…

“Handling the Undead weaves together three families through their loss: Mahler (72) and his daughter, Anna, mourn the too early passing of his grandson; Tora (86) says her final goodbye to her wife at the funeral home; and a family of four face a life without a wife and mother.”

The film is based on a novel by acclaimed writer John Ajvide Lindqvist (“Let the Right One In”).

“From the elaborate directorial concept that Thea sent me, I think her vision was more or less perfect. Mentally, conceptually and visually,” said Lindqvist, who also wrote the script, tells Variety.

“The mere fact that she devoted a densely written page to the behavior, expressions and movement patterns of the undead indicates a huge commitment to getting everything right. She intends to make a zombie film unlike anything seen before. Serious, heartbreaking and very Nordic.”

Local distribution will be handled by Nordisk Film Distribution, with an. expected local release set for fall 2023.