Play Dead

It started out quite well, but then quickly turned into a cliche. There's absolutely nothing surprising or noteworthy, you can pretty much figure out the whole plot and even the twists within the first few minutes of the film.

Suspensewise, it was also quite predictable so honestly my heart rate never increased. I mean, compare to suspense from A Quiet Place or Don't Breathe, this film hardly creates a jitter. It is more of a gross type of film where you see a lot of blood, the cutting up of bodies, than it is about actual psychological thriller and even jump scare.

The only point that is noteworthy is the great performance by Jerry O'connell. The moment he came on the screen, you can feel his command of the movie. However, the most impressive of his performance was when he spoke; strong, articulate, and cerebral.

Overall a bore of a movie that you might share with some friends while eating pizza and stuff.

4/10.

This movie starts off messy. The story, acting, characters, felt so poorly created as a horror fan I couldn't see its value. But after we get comfortable in the morgue and the chase is on it picks up. By the end it had my full attention. I really thought they messed up with the lead actress initially but now I get why she was hired. Young lady can scream and showed excellent range in the second half. Displayed great rage. Not just the damsel I thought it was setting her up for. I could see her growing as a scream queen. Hope to see her in more films. Part of why I wanted to stick things out was Jerry O' Connell and he's a great villian in this. I've seen him pop up in a few horrors before and he always entertains. I grew up with his films so I may have a bias admittedly. By the end they do an excellent job at creating a monster. I could see a sequel happen with his character. I'm not a big gore fan, it's not too excessive but body parts are involed so don't be too caught off guard. There's not a lot of bad language. Because I'd read the negative reviews I thought it was worth sharing a positive experience. First half I was going to give it a 4, enjoyed the second so much it earned two points.

I know you usually have to suspend some disbelief in horror and sci fi movies, but there are limits, and this movie strains credibility to the limit right out of the gate.

The main character's loser brother is involved in a robbery that goes wrong, and his partner is shot and killed. He realizes there's evidence on the guy's phone that will incriminate him (these are not the brightest bulbs). His sister, who is a medical student, comes up with a "brilliant" idea: she will take propofol to fake her own death, she'll get taken to the morgue, and steal the phone.

Of course, propofol won't do that. There's a good chance it will really kill you, like it did to Michael Jackson, but otherwise you'll be quite obviously alive. Even if they thought she was dead, she was somehow confident that she would be put somewhere where she could easily find the other guy and his phone, rather than, you know, in a drawer that she couldn't get out of. Like they say in the commercial, "When you're in a horror movie, you make bad choices. It's what you do."

Without giving away any spoilers, the "twist" is pretty obvious - and completely unbelievable.

On the other hand, the acting is pretty good, and if you check your brain at the door, it's reasonably entertaining to watch.

The movie was rather well done, if slow at times.

Obviously, much of what happens in this movie wouldn't be possible in real life, but that's the point of movies is it not?

The acting is good, and there is more than enough suspense to keep you watching. At times it was slow, but it is still worth watching I think.

If you like movies like "Hush" or "Dont Breathe" then this is along the lines of something you may enjoy.

I will say that it is rather predictable, but if you're alright with that sort of thing don't pass up 'Play Dead'.

Quick Summary: Predictable and slow at times, but still worth watching.

Even with the 100% implausible plot and situations, it actually held my attention until the very end. There are scenes that are nicely done and the suspense is through the roof. There are other scenes that you simply have to suspend all disbelief and just be entertained. The final battle between the heroine and the maniac coroner ends in a very well done makeup effect that is both gruesome and also a lesson in anatomy. Although I wasn't familiar with the lead actress, she did well in the role. Most will recognize the evil coroner, Jerry O'Connell, from television and other movies. His deadpan delivery and reserved portrayal was effective.