[Fantasia ’24] ‘Dead Dead Full Dead’ review: Surreal whodunnit

The ensemble whodunnit has seen a resurgence in recent years with movies like Knives Out and Kenneth Branagh’s takes on some of Agatha Christie novels. Dead Dead Full Dead is a Fantasia Film Festival World Premiere that puts a surreal spin on the premise. Two police officers are called to investigate a murder. It seems like an open and shut case, but the more they look into the suspects, the less sure they are of what has really happened.

Dead Dead Full Dead goes beyond the realm of mystery into something much more cosmic. A shocking incident involving a baby goat early on is just the beginning of a number of strange events. An eclipse, dead bodies that can die again, and purgatory are just part of the zaniness the film has to offer. It is a fun mix that can be a little too overwhelming at times.

This is most apparent in the investigative flashbacks that are employed. The moments are neat ideas that see the investigators place themselves in the alibis of the people being interrogated. These scenes give insight into all of the characters while also providing motive for what has transpired.

They are also very confusing. Reality is distorted and it can be hard to follow exactly what is happening. It is especially confusing when the people in the real world have strong feelings for what has happened in their dream scenarios. While it does make sense they would feel powerful guilt over what has happened, it is also never addressed that it is not real. It would make more sense if the characters questions what had just happened.

This may be the point of Dead Dead Full Dead. Time and regret are recurring themes with references to and memories of the past sprinkled throughout. Whether these are big events like a first time meeting or smaller things like emojis, there is the constant idea of how things could have been better. Everyone is in a state of reflection.

The deeper parts of the film are offset by a zany humor that pairs perfectly. While many of the jokes are over the top, some are delivered with a surprising amount of subtlety. There are even some sight gags that will keep the audience guessing what is going to happen next. Overall, Dead Dead Full Dead is a unique mix of heavy ideas, silly comedy, and murder. There are a lot of moving pieces and it can all be a lot to take in. Still, it is a consistently entertaining watch. 

The Fantasia International Film Festival takes places from July 18 – August 4. Check out the latest news HERE