Those attending this year’s Fantasia International Film Festival had the opportunity to attend the world premier of The Dead Thing. The film was directed by Elric Kane (Kissy Kissy, Murmurs), who also co-wrote the film with Webb Wilcoxen (The Frontier). It tells the story of a woman, Alex, stuck in a cycle of dating apps and meaningless hookups. When she meets a seemingly perfect man, it sends them both down a dark path of lust, obsession, and danger.

There is an intimacy to The Dead Thing that will captivate audiences. We are given a look into the side of Alex’s life she likely doesn’t show to the rest of the world. Every day is the same: work, sleep, light therapy, and dates that inevitably lead to one-night stands. It creates the sense that Alex is numb to life, going through this same routine just to try to feel something. Then she meets Kyle. Alex and Kyle seem like a perfect match, connecting both emotionally and sexually. Unfortunately, this chance encounter will greatly impact their lives. What makes this story so compelling is that the horror acts as a metaphor for abusive relationships. It starts with love-bombing, giving the illusion the match is too good to be true. The happiness doesn’t last long though as jealousy and possessiveness bubble up to the surface, eventually exploding into obsession, control, and violence. While the plot is compelling, The Dead Thing does have some pacing issues. At times there are lulls in the momentum, making the film feel longer than it is and making the final moments a bit anticlimactic. There are also aspects of the mythos that I wish had been explored more, allowing for a better understanding of the supernatural elements presented. Despite these issues, there’s no denying this is a captivating film that expertly uses horror to tell a very human story.

The Dead Thing features a wonderful cast. Blu Hunt (The New Mutants, Another Life) stars as Alex. What stands out about Hunt’s performance is how she portrays Alex’s numbness to the world around her. Once she falls for Kyle, there is a marked change in Alex’s demeanor. Hunt’s performance lets the audience know Alex suffers from depression, without having to explicitly state it, and shows her try to find happiness. Ben Smith-Petersen (Mad Max: Fury Road, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga) plays Kyle. Smith-Petersen is great at showing two very different sides of Kyle. At first he is charming and caring, but eventually the audience is shown the darker, obsessive side of his personality. Hunt and Smith-Petersen have truly electric on-screen chemistry, easily conveying the passion between these two characters, as well as the danger.

With such a grounded story, The Dead Thing also features striking, yet understated, visuals. The wardrobe for Alex is an immediate standout, adding to the sense of effortless cool the character conveys. That is the only aspect of her life that appears put together. The apartment she shares with her best friend is quite nice, but the set design in Alex’s room is quite different. The room looks more like that of a young man who just moved in rather than an adult woman who has been there for 2 years. The only element that shows Alex adding her personality to the room is an array of her sketches pinned to the wall. Her artwork is another nice touch to the film, helping to let the audience know art is the one thing that gives Alex joy. The Dead Thing also features well done, subtle horror visuals. This includes practical effects makeup for various wounds and bruises, as well as more shocking scenes of violence carried out by an invisible assailant. The visuals are all very intentional in how they reveal details about the characters, and they help to inject horror into the already tense moments.

The Dead Thing is an understated, thought-provoking film using horror to tell a very human story of depression and toxic relationships. Kane and Wilcoxen created a fascinating film that is sure to resonate with many viewers. Even with the pacing issues, it’s impossible not to be drawn in as the tension unfolds. Hunt and Smith-Petersen are electric on screen and have a chemistry that only adds to the appeal of the film. If you appreciate horror as a metaphor, adding something more sinister to a dramatic relationship story, then you don’t want to miss The Dead Thing.

OVERALL RATING: 7/10