Mikes Film Talk

The 2022 comedy film Daniel’s Gotta Die feels a little like a retelling of Rasputin, without the monk. A sort of cross between a cat with nine lives and the mysterious Russian. To those folks who may not know about the mad monk, rest assured, he was a hard kill.

Daniel’s Gotta Die Story

Daniel is the baby of the family. His siblings are sent to boarding school after their mother’s death. Daniel stays home with dear old dad. Years later, Pop is dying and he grants his youngest son’s wish to reconnect with is family. Dad then dies and Daniel meets up with his fam, at the beach house. The clincher? They all want to kill him for his money.

The Cast

Joel David Moore is Daniel Powell.

Carly Chaikin is Jessica Powell.

Mary Lynn Rajskub is Mia Powell.

Bob Saget is Lawrence.

Iggy Pop is Edward Powell.

Jason Jones is Victor Powell.

Chantel Riley is Emily Montgomery.

Varun Saranga is Carter.

Dax Ravina is Pierce.

Kudos to Iggy Pop for his brilliant cameo as the dad. High praise also goes to Rajskub as Mia; she endows this woman with an nth degree of creepiness. The late Bob Saget is brilliant here as the dissatisfied solicitor. This was his last film role.

Let’s Talk Greed and Luck

Director Jeremy LaLonde takes writer Matthew Dressel‘s Daniel’s Gotta Die screenplay and makes it pop. Like the film’s soundtrack, it is fast paced, eager to tell its tale and funny. It really does feel like Daniel could be the ethereal twin to Rasputin.

*Rasputin was a monk who was in favour with the Russian Czar, “back in the day.” He was feared by the Oligarchy who tried to kill him. One evening they shot, poisoned, strangled and stabbed him. Finally, they threw his hogtied body into a freezing river. Rumour has it, he was found later with some of the ropes untied. Cat with nine lives right?*

Daniel does not fall victim to as many homicidal attempts, but his siblings have much in common with the Oligarchy. They want little brother dead, no doubt about it. The motivator here is greed. While his brothers and sisters have their eye on the prize, so too does Lawrence, Dad’s lawyer.

Daniel does have some extraordinary luck though. This “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm” really does believe the best of his villainous fam right to the end. This eternal optimism may be the secret behind his death defying luck.

A Whole Lot of Shaking Going On

Daniel’s Gotta Die uses greed and revels in it. Everyone, it seems, except Daniel and his fiance Emily, worship the almighty dollar. This is makes the bad guys and dolls pretty two dimensional but it doesn’t matter. The film is funny as long as we’re not expecting Shakespeare. There are multiple murder plots going on all at once and this adds to the comedy.

*Side note. There is a whistling sequence that is a clear nod to Kill Bill and that “nurse’s whistle.” Pretty doggone good.*

Everyone is Irritating

Not one of the characters is likable. Even Daniel with his “I’m okay, you’re okay” attitude irritates. This may reduce the comedy level somewhat but I believe this adds to the fun.

Daniel’s Gotta Die Verdict

This comedy is pretty funny. It earns a solid 3.5 stars. The film could have been so much more if the characters had been likable. *Although Carter is slightly less irritating than the rest.* You can stream the movie on Prime, Tubi, Plex, Roku Channel, et al.

The Trailer