Reviewed on 26th January at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival
Cast: Grace Glowicki, Ben Petrie, Leah Doz, Lowen Morrow
Genre: Comedy, Horror, Romance, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Director: Grace Glowicki
In Irish Cinemas: Now
Opening with a quotation from Mary Shelley tends to signal a familiar trajectory, hinting at gothic revival and reanimation. “Dead Lover” initially appears to follow that path, but filmmaker Grace Glowicki subverts expectations at nearly every turn. What unfolds is not simply a tale of resurrection, but a wildly inventive, offbeat experience filled with strange humour and unexpected detours. The film’s eccentric characters and surreal predicaments are matched by an equally imaginative visual style, costumes, makeup, and production design, all of which contribute to a distinctly odd and memorable aesthetic. After debuting in Sundance’s Midnight lineup and continuing its run through festivals like Rotterdam, the film seems poised to attract a niche yet passionate following.
At the centre of the story is a peculiar gravedigger, portrayed by Glowicki herself. Immersed in death for so long, the character carries the scent of decay, making a romantic connection nearly impossible. That changes during a funeral, where an unlikely bond forms with a grief-stricken aristocrat mourning his sister. Rather than recoiling, he finds her odour alluring, and the two quickly become entangled in a fervent, almost absurd romance. Their devotion is cut short when he is lost at sea, leaving behind only a severed finger as a grim keepsake. Determined to undo fate, the gravedigger turns to an ancient potion in hopes of restoring her lost lover.
From there, the narrative veers into even stranger territory. The fragment proves insufficient, prompting a desperate solution: reconstructing a body using the remains of the lover’s sister. This decision introduces a new conflict, drawing the sister’s bereaved husband into pursuit and transforming him into a vengeful adversary.
Surrounding this central plot is a chorus of quirky side characters who add texture and humour. A circle of gossiping knitters functions almost like a comedic Greek chorus. At the same time, the main chase intersects with an assortment of odd figures, romantically entangled nuns, a yearning sailor, and a devoutly strange community eager to condemn the gravedigger’s transgressions. Even brief appearances feel carefully crafted, giving each character a vivid presence.
Visually, the film embraces its artificiality. Shot entirely on a soundstage, it relies on practical effects and theatrical illusion to construct its eerie world. The deliberate stylisation, evident in everything from lighting to sound design, enhances the film’s tone rather than detracting from it. This handcrafted quality, combined with a dry, sharply written script, reinforces its unique identity.
The small cast takes on multiple roles, often crossing gender lines in a playful challenge to conventional norms. This approach adds another layer of absurdity, underscoring the film’s preoccupation with desire in all its forms. Attraction drives nearly every character, regardless of how unnatural or extreme the circumstances become. Themes of longing, obsession, and physicality are explored with both humour and grotesque flair.
Glowicki’s performance stands out, her expressive features and physical presence shaping a character that is as unsettling as it is compelling. Ben Petrie leans into exaggerated, almost cartoonish portrayals that suit the film’s tone, while Lowen Morrow brings a brooding intensity that cleverly parodies the archetypal romantic figure.
The momentum begins to waver slightly in the final stretch, where repetition dulls some of the earlier inventiveness. Even so, the film remains engaging for most of its runtime, showcasing a bold, creative voice. With its blend of horror, comedy, and surrealism, “Dead Lover” is likely to resonate with audiences drawn to unconventional storytelling, building a reputation through word of mouth and securing a lasting place among cult favourites.
Overall: 5.5/10
Movie Reviewer
