Why Don't You Just Die!

A tight little horror/criminal drama/dark comedy title from a young Russian director. It won't change your world but will remind you what a movie made with passion and good taste can look like, even made on a tiny budget.

The boyfriend reminded me of Daniel Craig.

If you'd have to describe this movie, it'd be Tarantino's 'Pulp Fiction' meets Guy Ritchie's 'Lock, Stock...'. It is a no nonsense tragicomedy with plenty of blood and violence. It helps that the protagonist is a very naive but kind-hearted guy who just wants justice, which is pure comedy.

I like how they did the absolute most with a shoestring budget and invested a lot in writing a good, engaging story. I had to look hard for this gem as it's not a big budget US popcorn flick, nor was it advertised anywhere in the West, but it's well worth the effort. Good movies never hide in plain sight.

Warning for sensitive people: This movie contains very explicit violence, very hard visualized violence and bloody scenes - liters of blood. The story beginns slowly with a guy who wants to kill a man, who he believes has raped his own daughter. The man is a police man - an investigator - so the situation escalates.

The story is shown from different angles and times. The time jumps are ok, because they are a continous part of story telling. Time by time other characters are added, so the story becomes enhanced until the end, with a few turns in it. Clever story! :D

Most of the story happens in one flat, but there are several side scenarios, especially in the time jumps. The violent scenes are greatly exaggerated visually, to show the audience some blood showers. But on the other hand it is also very comedic and always ballances on a fine line to not get too serious. I think it's the mix of story telling, good camera shots, good cutting, good acting, gory visuals and humor that makes it interesting. There is also some weired folk music, which makes it even more bizarre. I really liked it.

Having just caught this at a film festival, having read these reviews I feel I should defend the film as more than just a gruesome comedy, the Director himself would be offended at the suggestion that there isn't a lot more going on under the surface. Of course it is laced with a wry, bleak humour, and much of the blood spurting has a balletic, often fun energy. But energy is the key word here, the direction, the cinematography, the unusual movement of the camera that replaces where lazier directors would cut, the infectious soundtrack, the script that unravels it's mysteries precisely, I found the film to have very unique and energetic style. Thrilling, gory yes, but grounded with excellent performances and a biting script that deconstructs corruption in Russian society; how that eats away at institutions, friends and family. I would recommend this film to anyone (with a strong stomach).

This kept popping up at all the genre festivals so I had high hopes and was very impressed. Super violent and super funny. Had a very fun time watching this with a late night crowd.