Play Dead (2022)

 

 
The movie Play Dead is about a criminology student, Chloe,  played by  Bailee Madison , who fakes her own death so that she can break into a morgue in order to retrieve a piece of evidence that ties her younger brother to a crime....a crime that had gone wrong.   We learn that Chloe is in a bad situation as the bank is about to foreclose on her family home after the death of her parents and, to make matters even worse, her younger brother T.J., played by Anthony Turpel, has become involved in a robbery plot with her ex Ross, played by Chris Lee, in an attempt to raise the money they need.  Ross, however, is killed and T.J. is able to make a clean getaway but they had planned the entire crime through text messages and Ross' phone, holding the evidence of text messages, is inside the morgue, along with Ross' body.   Once inside, Chloe discovers that a sadistic coroner, played by Jerry O'Connell, is using the corpses for his business, and when he realizes that Chloe is still alive, a terrifying game of cat and mouse ensues.   Although the story is an unusual one, this thriller is fast moving and keeps one's attention through the strange plot and continuous action.  

The movie follows Chloe (Bailee Madison), a criminology student facing eviction from her home. In a bid to help, her younger brother T.J. (Anthony Turpel) teams up with her ex-boyfriend Ross (Chris Lee) to turn to crime to pay the bills as they plan a robbery.

However, things go awry when Ross is shot dead and T.J. flees the scene, leaving his phone – filled with evidence – at the scene to be collected by police.

Now it's Chloe's turn to help. She puts together a concoction that can make her appear dead in a bid to break into the local morgue and retrieve the phone, however, in classic horror fashion, she discovers more than she bargains for when she stumbles upon the coroner's (Jerry O'Connell) illegal organ-selling scheme.

A game of cat and mouse begins as Chloe fights to survive the night against the coroner who is hell-bent on mutilating Chloe and giving her body parts to ‘the more deserving'.

While implausibility in horror is not something I detest – it is a genre filled with mythical monsters and kills that defy the laws of physics, biology, and many other schools of study, after all – the serious tone of Play Dead made the questionable decisions of some characters and some of their even more bizarre actions cause the plot to fall flat.

No amount of blood-splattered imagery, eerie sound, or dark and dank set design could detract away from the mess that the narrative turns into. At parts, it offers glimmers of hope in its at-times stomach-churning gore, thrilling twists, and some great jump scares, but they're few and far between in the monotonous cat-and-mouse plot.

I'm sure most horror fans will have seen a film like this in some form, organ dealing horror is not exactly new, and Play Dead does not add anything new to the subgenre, and once you've been introduced to all of the characters, it's a pretty easy task to work out what will happen by the final act.

While the plot didn't exactly do it for me, one thing I can attest to is I did have fun watching this film – predictable or not. There's always something going on to keep you on the edge of your seat, whether that be Chloe desperately running away from the coroner or another grizzly discovery in what must be the least peaceful morgue depicted.

Adding to the fun factor and the overall lunacy of the film is Jerry O'Connell in the role of the coroner, who was a shining star amid the many questionable factors within Play Dead.

His pointing out some of Chloe's ridiculous actions somewhat resolved some of the implausibility of the plot and the tone in which he delivered some of his more harsh and bleak lines sent a chill down my spine.

Though Play Dead tries to thrill you to death, it falls short on numerous occasions, though if you can look past its implausibility and shortcomings, you won't be left feeling cold on the slab with its quick bursts of fun and fear. 

"Play Dead," directed by Patrick Lussier and released in 2022, is a gripping thriller that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats with its blend of suspense and drama. The film stars Bailee Madison as Chloe, a young woman who stages her own death in order to infiltrate a high-stakes crime syndicate and seek justice for her murdered brother.

The film’s premise, while straightforward, is executed with intense precision. Chloe's plan to feign her death and work undercover within the criminal organization is fraught with tension and danger, and Madison delivers a compelling performance as she navigates this perilous journey. Her portrayal of Chloe captures a blend of vulnerability and resilience that adds depth to the character and makes her plight all the more engaging.

"Play Dead" excels in creating a suspenseful atmosphere. The screenplay, written by Lussier and Justin Doble, is tightly woven with twists and turns that keep the audience guessing. The stakes are high, and the film’s pacing ensures that the tension remains constant, with each scene building on the last to create a palpable sense of urgency.

Visually, the film is well-crafted, with sharp cinematography that enhances the thriller’s intensity. The use of lighting and camera angles contributes to the film’s suspenseful mood, while the score complements the action with a fittingly tense and atmospheric soundtrack.

While "Play Dead" thrives on suspense and plot twists, it does occasionally fall into genre clichés, and some character developments feel a bit predictable. However, these minor shortcomings are offset by the film’s strong performances and its ability to deliver genuine thrills.

In summary, "Play Dead" is a riveting thriller that combines a well-executed plot with strong performances and a tense atmosphere. It may follow familiar genre conventions, but its engaging narrative and heart-pounding suspense make it a standout entry in the thriller genre. For fans of high-stakes drama and edge-of-your-seat tension, this film is a compelling watch that delivers on its promise of suspenseful entertainment.