2019 BITS: ‘She Never Died,’ An Electric Companion Piece To ‘He Never Died’

Playing at the 2019 Blood in the Snow Film Festival in Toronto, Canada, is an amazing new film directed by Darken’s (2017) Audrey Cummings (read our interview with her here) called She Never Died. The film stars Olunike Adeliyi (The Prodigy 2019 – read our review here), Peter MacNeill (A History of Violence 2005), Kiana Madeira (Level 16 2018), Michelle Nolden (The Time Traveler’s Wife 2009), and Noah Dalton Danby (Riddick 2013).

Synopsis:

A social outcast battling depression and severe anti-social behavior embarks on a bloody quest to save his long-lost daughter from a crime syndicate.

Filmed as a companion piece to the film He Never Died (2015 – read our review here) rather than a sequel, She Never Died is also absolutely fantastic on its own. Lacey (Adeliyi), a detached immortal, acts as a vigilante to feed her hunger for the human marrow she needs to survive. One day she accidentally stumbles into a group of human traffickers and reluctantly befriends Suzzie (an irresistible Madeira), one of their victims. Lacey joins Suzzie and a rogue detective (MacNeill) in stopping the traffickers.

It’s completely natural to want to compare this film with He Never Died. I want to start by saying that, while I loved them both, I definitely feel that She Never Died is a more forceful film. The dry, wry humor works better this time around, mostly due to the strong acting by Adeliyi. Audrey Cummings’ direction also helps to keep careful control of the pacing, making sure the film never lags, but instead, keeps building all the way to the finish.

As I said, the acting is very strong. This is meant to be a female-led film, and the two women in She Never Died shine in different ways. Lacey is a distant, almost emotionless character, but she can also explode with unhinged brutality that is terrible to behold. It’s a fierce performance by Olunike Adeliyi, and not one I’m sure just anyone could have managed. Kiana Madeira was given an entirely opposite role as Suzzie, a chatty, energetic, extroverted, sweet girl who could be the most annoying person on earth if played by the wrong actress. However, Madeira comes off as endearing. Both actresses make this film and have terrific chemistry together.

With great acting, directing, and plenty of delicious gore for any hardcore horror fan, She Never Died is a must-see film!

Read another PopHorror reviewer’s thoughts on this film here.