[Fantasia ’22] ‘We Might as Well Be Dead’ review: Disconnected tale of mistrust, xenophobia, & a missing dog

We Might as Well Be Dead takes on disturbingly familiar issues in a unique setting. Anna (Ioana Iacob) is the security officer at a high rise apartment that has steep requirements for those who wish to stay. Once seen as a safe haven, the complex faces several incidents at the same time. Anna’s daughter refuses to leave the bathroom due to a evil power she has developed. Meanwhile, a missing dog causes a panic that spreads throughout the residents, leading to drastic changes.

It almost sounds silly and the film is filled with laugh out loud moments, but the comedy leads to uneasy laughter due to the despondent setting and a terrifying cast of characters. We Might as Well Be Dead is set in a different world where people who do not live within the safety of complexes walk around with weapons at the ready. Though the state of the world at large is never explained, there is a sense of fear and depression throughout the entire movie. Even before the plots kicks into high gear, things seem off.

We Might as Well Be Dead wraps much of its tale in mystery. What has happened to society and the missing dog are the most obvious questions, but there are other things that keep the film at arm’s length. For example, Anna’s daughter is shot in a way in which audiences can only catch fleeting glimpses of her. The movie lets you into its world, but only wants to show so much. It is a bold choice to keep viewers watching in the dark, but the performances and premise are strong enough to remain intriguing.

As things progress, it becomes clear what exactly is happening at the building. As fear grips more people, their true feelings begin to emerge. There is a lack of trust to anyone who was not born at the complex and outsiders are not welcome. Soon, some members are arming themselves and taking matters into their own hands. We Might as Well Be Dead is a commentary on immigration and antisemitism that director Natalia Sinelnikova looks at in an almost scientific manner. It still manages to be an emotional watch that is punctuated by its bleak ending.

We Might as Well Be Dead is a subtle movie that will leave audiences bewildered in a good way. The film is able to sneak up on viewers with its dark humor while the social commentary hit hard. Almost light at times, the script deals with serious issues that people will be able to understand. It effortlessly weaves between genres while never losing sight of what it is trying to say.

We Might as Well Be Dead is screening at the Fantasia Festival