Introduction to Play Dead (2022) – Tense, Thrilling, and Full of Suspense

Play Dead (2022) is an American horror-thriller film directed by Patrick Lussier and written by Simon Boyes and Adam Mason. Featuring a talented cast led by Bailee Madison and Jerry O’Connell, the movie delivers a gripping, suspenseful, and chilling story set in the eerie confines of a morgue.

Overview

• Director: Patrick Lussier (known for My Bloody Valentine 3D and Dracula 2000)
• Screenplay: Simon Boyes, Adam Mason
• Main Cast:
  • Bailee Madison as Chloe Albright
  • Jerry O’Connell as The Coroner
  • Anthony Turpel as T.J. Albright
  • Chris Lee as Ross
• Genre: Horror, Thriller
• Runtime: 1 hour 46 minutes
• Release Dates:
  • December 9, 2022 (Baltic countries like Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia)
  • January 18, 2023 (Australia, on platforms like Fetch TV and Telstra TV Box Office)
  • February 13, 2023 (UK, on Icon Film Channel), theatrical release in the UK on March 17, 2023
• Producers: Voltage Pictures, Green Light Pictures
• Ratings:
  • IMDb: 5.2/10
  • Rotten Tomatoes: 80% Tomatometer (based on 5 reviews, 4 fresh, 1 rotten)

Plot

Play Dead centers on Chloe Albright (Bailee Madison), a criminology student facing financial ruin after her father’s alleged suicide, which leaves the family without insurance money. Alongside her younger brother T.J. (Anthony Turpel), they risk losing their home due to mounting debts. T.J. and his friend Ross (Chris Lee) plan to rob a store to solve their financial woes, but the plan goes awry, resulting in Ross’s death and incriminating evidence against T.J. on Ross’s phone.

To save her brother, Chloe devises a daring plan: she fakes her own death using propofol to slow her brain activity, allowing her to be taken to the morgue to steal the phone. However, things take a dark turn when she discovers that the coroner (Jerry O’Connell) is running an illegal organ trafficking operation out of the morgue. When he realizes Chloe is still alive, a terrifying game of cat and mouse ensues, forcing her to fight for survival and expose the truth.

Highlights

1. Impressive Performances:
   • Bailee Madison delivers an emotional and versatile performance, portraying Chloe’s intelligence, bravery, and vulnerability. To prepare for the role, she trained to walk barefoot for weeks to authentically depict scenes in the morgue.
   • Jerry O’Connell shines as a chilling, calculated, and menacing villain, drawing comparisons to Patrick Bateman in American Psycho for his eerie calmness. His performance is widely praised as a standout.
2. Setting and Atmosphere:
   • The film’s primary setting in a morgue creates a grim, claustrophobic atmosphere that heightens tension and horror.
   • Despite a familiar plot, director Patrick Lussier maintains a fast pace, keeping the suspense high with chase scenes and unexpected twists.
3. Horror and Thriller Elements:
   • Play Dead relies less on jump scares and more on psychological tension and graphic details, such as autopsy scenes and organ harvesting.
   • While some plot twists are predictable, the action and performances keep the film engaging.

Reviews

• Strengths:
  • The performances of Bailee Madison and Jerry O’Connell are standout, particularly their tense confrontations.
  • The morgue setting effectively creates a creepy, suspenseful vibe, perfect for fans of psychological horror.
  • The 106-minute runtime keeps the story concise and engaging.
• Weaknesses:
  • The plot has some logical gaps, particularly Chloe’s fake-death plan, which critics found unrealistic even for a horror film.
  • Some viewers noted the story lacks originality, echoing themes from films like Coma (1978) or Turistas (2006).
  • The level of gore and violence may disappoint fans of hardcore horror expecting more intensity.

Where to Watch

• Streaming:
  • Amazon Prime Video (available in select regions, e.g., Icon Film Channel in the UK before March 15, 2023)
  • Apple TV
  • Tubi (free in the US)
  • Check JustWatch for streaming availability in your region.
• Purchase or Rent: Available on Fandango at Home, Amazon (DVD/Blu-ray).
• Theatrical Release: Released in UK theaters on March 17, 2023. No official US theatrical release information is available.

Critic and Audience Feedback

• Critics:
  • The Guardian gave the film 3/5 stars, praising O’Connell’s performance and describing it as “a brisk, effective horror-thriller.”
  • Some critics noted a lack of innovation but found it entertaining due to its pacing and acting.
• Audience:
  • Reddit users called it “a tense, enjoyable horror flick” but criticized its implausible plot, especially the medical inaccuracies around propofol use.
  • Some enjoyed its “campy” tone and over-the-top death scenes, while others felt it dragged unnecessarily.

Target Audience

Play Dead is ideal for:

• Fans of psychological horror and thrillers with unique settings.
• Those who enjoy the performances of Bailee Madison or Jerry O’Connell.
• Viewers seeking a short, suspenseful horror film that’s not overly complex.

If you’re looking for a light horror experience with tense moments but not overwhelming scares, Play Dead is worth a watch. Get ready to be drawn into a chilling game of survival in the morgue!

Notes

• The film includes graphic scenes of gore and autopsies, which may not suit sensitive viewers.
• The plot may frustrate those expecting high realism, particularly with medical details.

Watch Play Dead and share your thoughts! What did you think of Chloe’s bold plan and the coroner’s terrifying schemes? 💀