Movie Info:
Alex is trapped in a downward spiral of shallow hookups and tepid connections, but she is caught off guard when her dating app swipes lead her into the arms of a mysterious, charming young man Kyle. Despite their passionate night, when the sun rises, the mystery man is nowhere to be found. Alex then sets out to find the one person who made her feel alive. Through her investigation, she reconnects with Kyle, but also digs up a ghastly supernatural secret. The pair quickly descend into a whirlwind of obsession, dependence, lust, and infatuation that has grave consequences.Content expanded.
Review:
Elric Kane‘s directorial debut, **”The Dead Thing,”** is a supernatural thriller that attempts to blend the eerie with the emotional, but ultimately falls short of its ambitious goals. The film stars Blu Hunt as Alex, a young woman trapped in a cycle of shallow hookups and unfulfilling connections. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she meets Kyle (Ben Smith-Petersen), a mysterious and charming man she meets through a dating app.
Their passionate night together is cut short when Kyle vanishes without a trace, leaving Alex desperate to uncover the truth. As she delves deeper into the mystery, she uncovers a dark supernatural secret that binds her to Kyle in ways she never imagined. The film’s premise is intriguing, but the execution leaves much to be desired.
Blu Hunt delivers a strong performance as Alex, capturing her vulnerability and desperation with a raw intensity. However, the chemistry between her and Smith-Petersen’s Kyle feels underdeveloped, making it difficult to fully invest in their relationship. The supporting cast, including Katherine Hughes, Joey Millin, and John Karna, are largely wasted in roles that feel inconsequential and underdeveloped.
Kane’s background in horror podcasts and film criticism is evident in the film’s meticulous attention to atmosphere. The dimly lit interiors and neon-drenched cityscapes create a haunting and unsettling mood. However, the film’s pacing is inconsistent, with long stretches of Alex’s investigation feeling aimless and repetitive. The tension and dread that the story demands are often missing, leaving the audience disconnected rather than on edge.
Despite its flaws, **”The Dead Thing”** has moments of genuine intrigue and atmospheric beauty. The film’s exploration of modern dating and the dangers of superficial connections is a timely and relevant theme. However, the lack of narrative cohesion and underdeveloped character arcs prevent it from reaching its full potential.
In the end, **”The Dead Thing”** is a mixed bag of atmospheric horror and emotional drama that struggles to find its footing. While it has its moments, it ultimately falls short of being a truly compelling and satisfying experience.
**Grade: B**
Credits:
Directed by
Elric Kane
Screenplay by
Elric Kane
Webb Wilcoxen
Produced by
- Matt Mercer
- Monte Yazzie
Starring
- Blu Hunt
- Ben Smith-Petersen
Production
companies
- Yellow Veil Pictures
- Rubric Pictures
- Coda Films
Distributed by
Release dates
- 26 August 2024(Fantasia)
- 14 February 2025(United States)
Running time
94 minutes
Country
United States
Language
English
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