Written by Laura Brennan and directed by Anthony DiBlasi (Last Shift, Dread) ‘Most Likely to Die’ could be seen as a “#FlashbackFriday” slasher film. A nostalgic look at a genre that has sliced and diced countless teens and 20 somethings since the 1980s. The film will be released on Friday the 13th in a limited theatrical release and on demand.
The Cast
The cast includes: former ‘Glee’ regular Heather Morris as Gaby, the world class professional poker player, celebrity blogger/columnist Perez Hilton as filmmaker wannabe Freddie (who spoke with Mike’s Film Talk about being in the film) Jake Busey as Tarkin, the caretaker (in a blink and you will definitely miss him cameo).
‘Most Likely to Die’ also has Chad Addison, Tess Christiansen, Tatum Miranda, Ryan Doom, Johnny Ramey, Marci Miller, and Jason Tobias as the rest of the former classmates who face the wrath of a former student bent on deadly revenge.
The Story
The plot deals with a group of friends who get together for a “pre-party” just prior to their 10 year reunion. As they start bonding, while wondering where two of the group are, they remember a classmate they bullied who is not there.
All are in danger as a madman, or woman, hunts each reunion guest down and kills them in the manner of their senior yearbook predictions, “most likely to…” and Gaby teams up with her friends to fight the killer.
‘Most Likely to Die’ is a fond look back at the slasher format. It is reminiscent of ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer,’ ‘Friday the 13th’ and so on. There are a number of deaths which are impressive in their execution and at least one is pretty unique (it involves a head-butt with a hat).
Busey’s presence is possibly a nod to his status on the El Rey! network horror series From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, and most likely the reason his character is on screen such a short time, it would have been brilliant to have a bit more Busey though.
Morris proves that she does not need Ryan Murphy or ‘Glee’ to perform. The actress has got chops to spare and shines in this interesting little walk down memory lane. All of the cast do well and the big surprise is Perez as Freddie.
It works
As Hilton pointed out in his interview, he started out with plans to work as an actor and now is getting back to it. Watching him in this film it is apparent that the man has the ability and believability to continue.
Not only does the man have some impressive chops in the film, but, he manages to do a great “Tom and Jerry” type scream of horror not once, but twice. Ripping out these screams is not easy and Mr. Hilton does so almost effortlessly.
There is not an overabundance of gore in the film, although the FX are impressive and pretty realistic in most cases. (There is one boo-boo with a broken hockey stick though.) Timothy A. Burton does a cracking job on the cinematography and DiBlasi also does a brilliant job eating the film.
By the end of the film, the killer has worked busily through the group and there is room for a sequel, or two, if the film does well. ‘Most Likely to Die’ has a message, “Do not bully children because one day a bad man/woman will come back for revenge.”
There is a rumor that the filmmakers wanted a YouTube personality in the film, something quite popular at the moment (See Bad Night for an example of the type film that features YouTube stars in leading roles.)
The Verdict
The film premieres via a limited theatrical release and on VoD on May, Friday the 13th. Until then have a look at the trailer and see what you think, whether it is worth a look at the cinema or watch on VoD? Either way, give it a look. Perez and Morris kill it. A 3.5 star film out of 5, just for those Tom and Jerry screams alone.
The Trailer
POSTSCRIPT: Since this review was written, the film can be seen on Peacock and rented/purchased on Prime.
Michael Knox-Smith
07/22/2024
USA
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