The new film 'Dead Love' in a deliberately slow-paced manner meant to emphasize building tension and tonal shifts. It uses the slow-burn-method of suspense in a manner that makes Ti West seem like Steven Spielberg.
The film begins as a morbid love story without any real horror elements manifesting until the second act. The horror elements dominate the third act but the contrast seems to stark at times to completely work.
The plot concerns a young aspiring musician (Grayson Low) mourning the death of his mother and unable to pay for her funeral. Two weird sisters (Kate Linder and Nicole Elizabeth Olson) that run a local funeral parlor give him a break on the price -- romance blooms between he and the prettier of the pair, who turn out to harbor a repulsive secret (no spoilers here, although certain elements will seem familiar to jaded horror fans).
The script by Emanuel Isler and Chad Israe contains some original ideas that borrow slightly from vampire mythology (no, the sisters are not undead). But the climax reduces a principal character to an exposition dump and it seems too awkward compared to what has come before it.
Colin Floom and Greg Nemer direct the excellent cast wonderfully nd strike the right balance between romance and gloom throughout most of the film. The excellent cinematography by Luke Askelson takes full advantage of the claustrophobic interiors and beautiful mountain exteriors.
This is an original, elegant film that contain original ideas despite a flawed third act. Horror fans looking for something different should definitely check it out.
