PopHorror Let's Get Scared
One of my favorite types of films to watch (and one of the films I am most critical of) fall into the category of the mindbender: the film where nothing is what it seems, and even memories and identities are unreliable. It’s not often that I am faced with a film as strikingly original and sleekly executed as director Robi Micheal’s Every Time I Die.
Synopsis for Every Time I Die
Sam is murdered in a remote lake, his consciousness begins to travel through the bodies of his friends in an effort to protect them from his killer. This dark passage leads him on a greater journey – discovering his own true identity.
When we first meet the main character Sam (Drew Fonteiro – The Last Ship TV Series), he is struggling with strange headaches and blackouts. But he is under stress, as he is having an affair with Mia (Melissa Macedo – Girlboss), who is married to Tyler (Tyler Dash White), a jealous, possessive, soldier. Mia’s sister Poppy (Michelle Macedo – Blood Heist) is married to Sam’s friend Jay (Marc Menchaca – Ozark TV Series). This group decides to go out to the woods for a relaxing weekend, a trip that will spell certain disaster for Sam.
The blackouts have left Sam disoriented and acting perhaps more compulsive than he ordinarily would, quickly rousing the suspicion of Tyler. Tempers flare (well, Tyler’s anyway), and Tyler brutally murders Sam. But don’t think that’s the end of the film! Not by a long shot. Sam’s consciousness wakes up in the bodies of his friends one by one, offering him the opportunity to protect them from his killer.
It would be an understatement to say that I have never seen a film quite like this before. That’s a compliment. This is breaking new ground in a way that is visionary and skillfully executed. The acting was strong across the board, with the standout for me being Marc Menchaca. He is not only great as Jay, but he is also outstanding as “Sam inside of Jay” – an entirely different level of acting. The same can be said of Melissa Macedo as Mia, who brings a tragic soulfulness to the last part of the film.
A word of warning to the impatient viewer. Stick it out. I repeat. Stick it out. The first part of the film moves a little slowly – but the payoff is absolutely worth it. To say more would give away too much. This is a film that will certainly only get better after repeated viewings.
As the first feature film for director Robi Michael, this is one hell of a debut. I absolutely cannot wait to see what’s next! Whatever project it is, consider me there! Every Time I Die is one of the best films I have seen this year. An absolute, positive, must see! It will be available on all Digital platforms starting on October 26, 2020.
