Despite a clever premise and a clear affection for horror culture, writer and director Joseph Scrimshaw’s “Dead Media” never quite comes together in a satisfying way.
The film aims to be both a satire and celebration of horror tropes, wrapped in a nostalgic love letter of sorts to DVDs and physical media. On paper, that’s a fun and even meaningful concept, especially as it explores how people use movies and pop culture as a fundamental element to navigating their lives. In execution, though, the film feels scattered and overly indulgent.
The story centers on troubled young woman Maggie (Sammi-Jack Martincak) and her eccentric Gen X uncle (Sam Landman), who insists on watching a horror movie the “right way”– on DVD. When Maggie unlocks a hidden Easter egg, the disc reveals itself to be haunted, trapping them in a movie night that can’t die. They’re pulled into bonus features, forced to confront bizarre scenarios, monstrous Lurchers, and even a frantic, self-referential director figure. It’s a setup with a lot of creative potential, but the narrative quickly becomes rambling and unfocused.
Tonally, the film struggles to balance horror and comedy. The satire of genre conventions is obvious, but rarely sharp enough to land, while the horror elements lack the tension needed to feel truly engaging. The metaphor at the center about being stuck in cycles and unable to escape your past is basic but interesting, and the Lurchers’ gimmick of “stealing movement” is a neat symbolic touch. Still, these ideas feel underdeveloped, buried under a series of loosely connected scenes that drag on far too long.
There are bright spots. The low-budget makeup work is genuinely impressive, and the film’s nostalgia for the DVD era has an authentic charm. You can feel the filmmaker’s love for physical media and the ritual of movie-watching, but that passion doesn’t translate into a compelling viewing experience.
Ultimately, “Dead Media” feels like a good idea that needed more discipline. It’s too long, too unfocused, and never quite finds its rhythm. While some viewers might connect with its nostalgic nature, it’s a film that’s easier to admire in concept than to actually enjoy.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 