Sunday, July 28, 2019
Michael Allen
Writer: Jayme Laforest.
Cast: Aidan Devine, Ava Preston, Jess Salgueiro, Michael Reventar and Ari Millen.
I'll Take Your Dead is the latest horror film from director Chad Archibald (Bite, 2015) and his production house Black Fawn Films. Also developed by Breakthrough Entertainment and writer Jayme Laforest (The Heretics, 2017), I'll Take Your Dead could only have been shot in the snowy climes of Ontario. One part gangster thriller and one part ghost story, I'll Take Your Dead begins with a father - trying to protect his daughter. His work of choice is dissolving bodies, for the local gangbangers. Not much later, Act II slows the film's plot development, while supernatural elements waver in and out of the film. Overall, I'll Take Your Dead is a decent thriller, which requires a bit of patience.
The ghost story elements begin with a robbery. But, what are the rules for ghosts entering or exiting scenes and being seen? These rules are inconsistent at best. For most of the movie, Gloria (Ava Preston) is able to see some of the gang's victims. They stand in doorways, with serious cataract problems. Later, they enter action sequences and help some of the characters. But, why can Gloria see the ghost and not her father, William? William does eventually see one of the ghosts, a character who he helped burn. This burned victim comes to William's aid, late in the picture. Again, why would a ghost help a living being, especially one who helped hide the evidence of his murder? There are so many questions revolving around the ghostly elements and there are no real answers - in the film.
The story is a bit more simple. William and daughter Gloria live alone, on an isolated farm. Here, William has a side business. He gets rid of bodies, with the help of chemical agents. However, one body is not quite dead. And now, William is tasked with a moral decision. This gravedigger is no killer. Soon, the local gangbangers show up and want to know why William has not informed them of the living corpse. This disagreement leads to gunfire and a fairly entertaining shootout.
To get to the climax, horror fans will have to slog there way through Act II. In Act II, plot developments really slow down and come to an almost standstill. However, this middle portion is used to develop the film's primary characters: William, Gloria and Jackie (the living body). Their characters are deepened. Yet, all of the scenes take place on the farm, leading to a bit of repetition and even a feeling of claustrophobia. The camera almost never goes outside, during this middle part. So, the pacing suffers through Act II and viewers are required to utilize their patience. A bit more conflict was required in these middling parts.
I'll Take Your Dead was recently released on Digital formats, this past May. As well, the DVD and Blu-ray versions were released in the United States, exclusively (June 4th). Tracking down a copy for a Canadian review, this was not the easiest of tasks. Still, most horror fans will find something of substance here, despite the film's reliance on ghosts, to increase the tension. As mentioned, Act II really slows down the film. However, the finale and climax are worth the wait, with ghosts and gangsters fighting it out in the farmhouse basement. The premise on which the film is built, dissolving murder victims, is also interesting. And, I'll Take Your Dead is a film that is memorable, despite a few ghostly foibles.
Overall: 6.75 out of 10.
*as a side not, the "Stew Maker" dissolved over 600 bodies for the Tijuana Cartel. Nine years after his arrest, he still has not been sentenced for this crimes.
U.S. horror fans can buy the film, on home entertainment formats, at Scream/Shout Factory: I'll Take Your Dead at the Shout Factory
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Posted in: 2019,black fawn films,breakthrough entertainment,ghost,ghost story,horror,horror movie review,movie,movie review,review,united states
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