Swipe Right into Terror: ‘The Dead Thing’ Unveils Dating App Dangers!

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In the cherished movie “In Bruges” (2008), Oscar-nominated actor Ralph Fiennes delivers a memorable introduction filled with intensity. Upon receiving a distressing call, he angrily destroys his phone multiple times. His wife enters in a huff and exclaims, “That’s just a lifeless object!” To which he retorts, “You’re just as lifeless!” Fast forward to today, those “lifeless objects” have evolved into something more significant, bringing about various advancements, conveniences, and issues. They have virtually taken on lives of their own. The influence that phones, especially mobiles, have over our lives at any given moment is the foundation for the chilling new thriller, “The Dead Thing“.

Are you single and looking for love? You might have heard the advice, “Try online dating, but watch out!” Shudder, a popular streaming platform, is diving into current topics related to horror, and this time it’s modern dating that’s in focus. If you’re a horror fan who’s tired of rom-coms around Valentine’s Day, The Dead Thing could be an intriguing alternative. This new satirical thriller from New Zealand director Elric Kane delves into the darker aspects of contemporary relationships, such as toxic co-dependency and harmful obsession. Although you might guess what’s going to happen by the third act, it promises a spirited and alluring ride nonetheless.

Dating Is So ‘Dead’ Right Now

In the horror film “The Dead Thing,” Alex, portrayed with captivating intensity by Blu Hunt, is the central love interest. Her life aligns perfectly with the typical Shudder production, as she spends her days working nights in an office, scanning documents alongside a coworker (Joey Millin) of the same age who has a crush on her. In her spare time, Alex tans at home under a strange UV light and aimlessly swipes through dating apps. You might find yourself exclaiming, “I’d give a thousand for a better lifestyle, Alex!” in a familiar “Jeopardy” tone. However, beneath the melancholy lies a sharp and intelligent mind – evident in her witty retorts and her ability to read people, whether it’s a troublesome colleague or another unsuccessful connection through dating apps.

Later on, the captivating character of Kyle (Ben Smith-Petersen) enters Alex’s world and stirs things up. He’s not just good-looking but has an alluring charm that leaves Alex yearning for him. His enigmatic aura adds to her determination to spend a restless night with him in bed. However, as the saying goes, all good things eventually pass, and Ben vanishes without a trace the following morning. In desperation, Alex even attempts to find him at his job when he stops responding to her messages. This is where events take a turn for the worse, as Alex learns some distressing news about Ben that raises more questions about this enigmatic man who had made Alex feel alive once more…

Romantic Fixations

In her spare time, Alex doesn’t only work but also engages in personal detective work. During office hours, she interacts with a new coworker, Chris (John Karna), who seems quite smitten with her, and there’s a possibility that Alex might feel the same – unless her feelings are still tied to Ben’s lost image. Meanwhile, her roommate Cara (Katherine Hughes) has an obsessive affection for marriage, which is closely linked to her plans for a future wedding with her boyfriend they often argue with.

It seems Cara has chosen her wedding gown and all the trimmings, which makes one wonder: How much will she spend in order to wed, fulfilling her long-held dream of becoming a married woman? Similarly, there’s speculation about how much Alex might give up, including her strong work relationship with Chris, in pursuit of recapturing that fleeting spark with Ben, who could be little more than a lingering memory from the past.

Be Careful What You Fall For…

The Unseen Entity is likely to resonate deeply with millennials and those in Gen Z still navigating the dating world, particularly those who have experienced turbulent relationships leading to feelings of confusion, anxiety, and more. It’s a subject that seems tailor-made for therapy sessions. Despite some predictable plot twists, when director Kane’s latest thriller introduces a supernatural element, the themes actually become more profound rather than losing impact.

Indeed, Ben doesn’t vanish entirely from Alex’s life in the same way former lovers don’t completely fade away following a tough separation. To reveal no spoilers, Alex devises an unusual method to maintain enigmatic Ben within her realm while managing her life beyond the bedroom. Regrettably, the primary issue with The Dead Thing lies in the fact that many of its plot developments and secondary characters outside Alex and Ben (their intimate moments excluded) tend to be forgettable or even off-putting at times.

In a surprising turn of events, even Alex’s latest romantic interest, Chris, creates an unpleasant impression when he arrives on the scene. His attempt at humor, a crude joke about his own anatomy in the office, falls flat and seems more like an awkward advance. On the other hand, the captivating duo of Hunt and Smith-Peterson grace our screens with their presence, portraying a contemporary take on tormented love that could potentially pave the way for a sequel if it resonates with audiences who have experienced heartache. The intriguing series titled The Dead Thing will be available for streaming on February 14 on Shudder.

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2025-02-12 04:32