DEAD MAIL
Starring: Sterling Macer Jr., John Fleck, Tomas Boykin, and Susan Priver
Directors: Joe DeBoer and Kyle McConaghy
NICK
Dead Mail is exactly what you should be looking for from an indie horror. It’s got a grainy shooting style that gives a grimy feel on top of an engaging story to work with. The reason it works as well as it does, however, is the traumatized performance from John Fleck. Although Trent (Fleck) begins with sympathetic motivations, he soon turns sinister, and his descent into madness is the highlight of the film. Sure, you could shave a little off the runtime (there's a bit of a drag in the middle), but Dead Mail feels destined to do well on Shudder.
KATIE
Dead Mail is an odd little film. Initially, I struggled with the oppressive, almost dingy atmosphere, but as the narrative progressed, I appreciated the impressive lo-fi visuals and distinct 1980s aesthetic. Directors Joe DeBoer and Kyle McConaghy present a bizarre world drained of colour and vibrancy, inhabited by lonely characters; however, despite this bleakness, it's still very compelling, thanks to the understated yet impactful central performances of John Fleck and Sterling Macer Jr. Overall, Dead Mail is a quietly gripping experience for anyone willing to embrace its strangeness.
ADRIANO
Warts and all, there was a sicko smile on my face for the majority of Dead Mail's runtime. Its 80s aesthetic could've easily resorted to a gimmick, but writer/directors Joe DeBoer and Kyle McConaghy play within the confines of this idea to create something truly maddening. I'll admit, I think the pacing sometimes clashes with the mayhem, but the performances and score are enough to bring me back into the bizarre nature of the film as it takes one unpredictable turn after another, culminating in a bonkers final act. Suffice to say, I had a lot of fun here.
This film was reviewed by Nick as part of Bitesize Breakdown's coverage of the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.