← Back to results
Play Dead
2022 106 min United States of America R 18+
★5.9
Horror, Thriller
Director: Patrick Lussier
Trailers
EN
EN
EN
Description
Criminology student Chloe fakes her own death to break into a morgue, in order to retrieve a piece of evidence that ties her younger brother to a crime gone wrong. Once inside, she discovers that a sadistic coroner is using the corpses for his sick and twisted business, and when he realises that Chloe still has a pulse, a terrifying game of cat and mouse ensues.
Worldwide:
$356,840
Starring
Bailee Madison
Actor
Jerry O'Connell
Actor
Anthony Turpel
Actor
Key opinion
Play Dead is generally regarded as a mediocre thriller with a high-concept premise that fails to overcome its weak script. While the core idea of infiltrating a morgue creates moments of tension, the execution is hampered by inconsistent narrative flow, absurd dialogue, and lackluster technical production.
| Screenplay | The script suffers from weak, often absurd dialogue that undermines the film's intended suspense. | |
| Originality | The film fails to live up to the 'quest' or 'escape room' implications suggested by its localized marketing, resulting in a predictable and routine thriller. | |
| Direction | Director Patrick Lussier shows flashes of competence in staging isolated, visceral horror sequences, yet these moments are frequently undercut by an uneven narrative flow. | |
| Acting | Jerry O'Connell's performance as the psychotic coroner is polarizing; some viewers find his portrayal compelling and menacing, while others feel his character's threat level diminishes once he begins speaking. |