While the events are fictional, true crime fans at this year’s Overlook Film Festival had the opportunity to see a bizarre new thriller, Dead Mail. Written and directed by filmmaking duo Joe DeBoer (BAB) and Kyle McConaghy (BAB), Dead Mail transports audiences back to the the 1980’s. A mysterious, blood covered cry for help arrives at a local post office. When the post office’s “dead letter” investigator attempts to track its origin, it leads down a dark path of obsession, kidnapping, and even murder.

This film is certainly a slow burn, but with a constant undercurrent of bubbling tension. The suspension continually grows until finally reaching a boiling point. While the climax ultimately fizzles a bit, it’s the journey that’s most important. Dead Mail opens by showing the mystery note being desperately placed in a blue postal collection box. This is where it’s found by the dead letter investigator. He’s a quiet man who has a unique knack for finding clues to find where the dead letters come from so they can get back to their home. From there, the audience is presented with a non-linear narrative, slowly unfolding the story of both the kidnapper and the kidnapped. This incongruous storytelling method keeps the audience feeling unsettled until the clues eventually come together to reveal the whole truth.

There are many interesting themes throughout Dead Mail, such as loneliness and obsession. One of the more interesting themes is the lack of police investigation when harm befalls Black men. Even when there is unexplained evidence, these cops stick with the simplest explanation rather than doing a thorough job. It’s something that feels authentic to the 80’s, but still remains sadly relevant today. One aspect of Dead Mail that is a bit concerning is its possible queer representation. While never specifically stated, many viewers will likely get a queer read on the subtext surrounding the kidnapper, perpetuating the still all-too-common horror trope of the queer villain. That being said, if this character is meant to be queer, even as a villain this character is shown in a more sympathetic light than many that came before him.

Watching Dead Mail, many viewers will likely get the sense they are watching a crime reenactment from a show like Unsolved Mysteries. There is a texture and graininess to the film, lending to the 80’s look and feel. Even some of the odd camera angles are reminiscent of those old true-crime shows. Furthering this sense that what you’re watching really happened is a sequence just before the end credits. This sequence shows pictures of the actors, which then morph into pictures of the “real” people involved, along with updates on what happened to them in the wake of the crime. Lending to this 80’s true-crime vibe is the detailed production design by Payton Jane, stunning costume design by KerriAnne Savastano (Scalper), and music that oscillates between killer 80’s synth and unnerving organ music.

At times the performances in Dead Mail come across as a bit goofy or stiff, but that also seems to be in keeping with the crime reenactment tone of the film. Sterling Macer Jr. (Wicked, Where the Crawdads Sing) stars as Josh, the kidnapping victim and talented keyboard engineer. Macer portrays this character as kind and determined, making him an immediately endearing protagonist; and yet, it’s these traits that ultimately put him in harms way by ignoring all the red flags. John Fleck (Waterworld, Velvet Buzzsaw) gives a chilling performance as Trent, the kidnapper. At first, Trent seems like a nice guy who happens to be very passionate about organ music. Fleck particularly shines as the cracks in Trent’s outward persona fall away, revealing the abandonment and obsession driving his increasingly deranged actions. While Macer and Fleck are the focus of the film, the film also boasts great performances from Tomas Boykin (The Munsters) as dead letter investigator, Jasper, and Micki Jackson (Drumline: A New Beat) as Ann, Jasper’s co-worker and one of the few trying to find the truth when the cops won’t.

Dead Mail is a textural 80’s throwback that gives an intimate, even empathetic view of the drastic measures one man will take to avoid loneliness. DeBoer and McConaghy certainly have a unique vision, as well as a distinctive storytelling style. While it might be a bit too slow and contemplative for some audiences, many are sure to be captivated by the true-crime feel of the film. Macer and Fleck, as well as the rest of the cast, add a great sense of emotional depth and nuance rarely seen in modern crime thrillers. The imagery lends perfectly to the 80’s, giving an authentic look of the time period without the nostalgia blinders most films convey for this era, making Dead Mail stand out.

OVERALL RATING: 7/10