PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Note: This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the film being covered here wouldn’t exist. PopHorror fully supports the WGA and SAG-AFTRA and their efforts.
In The Beginning… There Was a Comic
Those memes always crack me up. A decade passing doesn’t make me feel as aged as 2 or 3. And here we are. Rest in Peace Department, more commonly known as R.I.P.D. was a Dark Horse comic turned Universal Film.
Written by Phil Hay (Destroyer 2018), Matt Manfredi (Destroyer 2018), and with a story by David Dobkin (Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga 2020), Hay & Manfredi. Directed by Robert Schwentke (Seneca – On the Creation of Earthquakes 2023) and starring Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool Franchise 2016), Jeff Bridges (Old Man 2022), Kevin Bacon (They/Them 2022), Mary-Louise Parker (Seneca – The Creation of Earthquakes 2023) and Stéphanie Szostak (A Million Little Things 2023).
The legendary James Hong (Everything Everywhere All at Once 2022) also portrays Grandpa Jerry Chen, Nick’s avatar. But we’ll get into all that for those who haven’t seen the film.
But Do Comic Book Movies (That Aren’t Marvel) Work?
R.I.P.D. was a glorious flop at the box office. Though I’m not sure why – Reynolds and Bridges have fairly large and diverse fanbases. Although, in Reynolds’ case, this was pre-Deadpool, and there was a very loud group of people who weren’t happy with Green Lantern… But I digress. R.I.P.D. falls into one of my favorite genres of horror, comedy. With hilariously disgusting special effects and all-around ridiculousness, R.I.P.D. is indeed a stupid-great time.
The Breakdown
R.I.P.D. tells the story of Detective Nick Walker (Portrayed by Ryan Reynolds and originally named Nick Cruz in the comic). Nick and his friend and partner Bobby Hayes (Kevin Bacon) steal gold during a drug bust. Nick later expresses remorse and tells Bobby that he wants to turn it into evidence. Bobby doesn’t like the idea, so while out on another bust, Bobby shoots and kills Nick.
When Nick dies, he’s sucked into a strange vortex with an office-like waiting room on the other side of it. Nick gets seen by a woman named Mildred Proctor (Mary-Louise Parker) who gives him the low-down. He’s awaiting judgment and faces the possibility of Hell, but can serve as an officer with the Rest in Peace Department instead, reaping souls, affectionally called Deaddos, trying to escape judgment.
Nick agrees and gets partnered with Roicephus “Roy” Pulsipher (Jeff Bridges), an Old West sheriff. Roy himself is a hoot and a half, and I would’ve definitely wanted to see his own movie, which they kinda did with a prequel. Which I haven’t seen because that’s not the same thing. Don’t judge me. Roy had the “doesn’t want a partner” trope but takes Nick on anyway because he doesn’t really have a choice.
He tries to lay out the rules for Nick, but of course, Nick doesn’t want to obey them. The biggest problem is that Nick wants to connect with the wife he left behind, Julia (Stéphanie Szostak). Roy takes Nick to his own funeral, where he learns the hard way that he has to follow the rules. He approaches Julia to try and tell her that he’s still “here”, but she freaks out, and he discovers that he now looks like a Chinese senior (James Hong).
This Is Where The Fun Begins…
R.I.P.D. officers’ identities are blocked by avatars used in the material world. Nick is now Jerry Chen, and Roy is a young, blonde, vixen Opal Pavlenko. Which makes for some hilarious moments. Some of those moments and situations may not appeal across the board, but that’s not all the film can be held to.
But Should You Watch It?
I mean, you should know me by now! I’m all about having a great time watching movies. Having experiences. “Should” you? There really are some great special and visual fx and excellent action sequences. And for those who enjoy light spiritual concepts, there are some really great moments. And honestly, it is a well-written story.
R.I.P.D. was on Tubi for a while but has since only been available through VOD. But if you find yourself curious, I personally don’t think the $4 or $5 to rent it would be a waste, because I’m sure you’ll find something you enjoy if you’re into comedy horror, gooey, gross monsters, and ridiculousness abound. So you could watch it because it’s a lot of fun!
