Like peanut butter and jelly, curry with sultanas or Atomic Kitten and Kool and the Gang I believe some things should just not mix. In the last few years there has been a glut of post-ironic horror/comedy movies such as the Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer series. Personally, I find these kind of films neither funny nor scary. Had I known Dead End was of that ilk I would have chosen to waste my time watching something else.
Anyway..Its Christmas Eve, the archetypal American family comprising of generic snotty teenager, attractive blonde daughter + jock boyfriend and Mom and Dad are on their way to crimbo dinner with the in-laws. Dad takes a short cut through a dark forested road, that seems to go on forever and one-by-one they die at the hands of a mysterious stranger with apparently no motive.
This concept has been done to death a billion times before and frankly the premise would just about fill half an hour in Tales of the Unexpected. Despite its restrictions there are some funny moments. Mick Cain, a newcomer is suitably obnoxious as the masturbating, nu-metal dope smoking teenager. Ray Wise (Jeepers Creepers, Robocop, Twin Peaks) does an adequate job as the hen-pecked husband and Lin Shaye who will be remembered for French-kissing a dog in Theres Something About Mary is competently neurotic as the family slowly go out of their minds due to the gradual deaths in their party.
Despite the best efforts of the cast, first time writer-directors Jean-Baptiste Andrea and Fabrice Canepa have few ideas and struggle to generate either the suspense or cover-your-eyes fear factor that a horror movie relies on. By opting for a fifteen certificate they have had to reduce the gore content. This isnt a criticism. Some of the most memorable movies use the psychological element for effect. However by reducing the gore-factor directors have to up the mystery factor. Here potential is wasted as classic elements that create unease such as suddenly spotting a mystery woman by the side of the road are directed in a rather unimaginative and ham-fisted way.
Were they unsure what kind of film to make? At times its a spoof but without the knowing references and any attempt at mystery comes across as half baked (a hearse pulling up signals an imminent death). It all ends up as a bit of a joke with a damp squib of an ending which is supposed to explain the whole sorry mess. Was it real? Was it a dream? Did I leave the oven on?
For a film to be scary it has to be believable and for a film to be a thriller you have to care what happens next. What you get here is a couple of cheap laughs. Save your money and go rent The Shining instead.
Review submitted by Dara Yazdani
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