By George & Josh Bate
Have you ever wondered how certain actors become as famous as they are? Not a question of talent, but, rather, how they rose to incredible stardom after such humble beginnings, amidst the thousands of other hopeful actors and filmmakers. Dwayne Johnson famously only had $7 to his name at one point. Jim Carrey once lived in a van and worked as a janitor and security guard. Sylvester Stallone lived at a bus stop and was even forced to sell his dog for money. How did they rise to the top out of nowhere? The new film Theater is Dead, premiering at this year’s Fantastic Fest, ponders this question and posits that such success comes from one thing: making a deal with the Devil.
From director and co-writer Katherine Dudas, Theater is Dead stars Decker Sadowski as Willow, an engineering student, who, after growing bored with her academics, pursues acting. Miraculously, Willow quickly secures a role in a play by big-shot theater director Matthew (Shane West). At first, Willow believes she’s finally found her passion in life, but, over time, she begins to realize she’s in the middle of a far darker situation.
Theater is Dead is far from the first movie to juggle questions about ill-fated deals with the Devil, but its campy fusion of horror and comedy makes this female-driven thrill-ride stand out. From the get-go, Dudas clues the audience in on the film’s tone. The characters act somewhat heightened and there is almost magical quality to the allure of the theater that Willow is inexplicably drawn toward. When she is given a starring role in a big theater director’s play, despite having no prior acting experience, Willow (and the audience) go along for the ride, morbidly gleeful knowing that something is definitely not right about this situation.
Dudas tells this story with a real reverence for theater and the theater scene. Anyone who has been even slightly close to theater kids will see that world on-screen here. Populating the ensemble with a motley crew of quirky, aspiring actors also in the play, Theater is Dead explores competition that breeds among friends, the pressures of succeeding, and, most fundamentally, what one is willing to do to achieve their dreams.
These dreams are tantalizing dangled over the heads of Willow and the others by Matthew, the theater director played by Shane West. The actor known for his roles in Nikita and Once and Again brings a needed gravitas to the role and deftly nails the tempting, almost God-like nature of his character. West is clearly having so much fun in this role, especially in a final act that really lets him chew up the scenery.
When all the pieces of the puzzle click into place and Theater is Dead reveals itself for what it truly is, the results don’t disappoint. The journey to the resolution of this mystery intrigues as, despite carefully placed clues and red herrings, it is difficult to pin down exactly what is going on with this theater production. But when the reveals come, they are presented in (mostly) coherent fashion. A few lingering questions are raised, some of which are ultimately answered come the end of the movie, but the film does live a bit to be desired in terms of the fallout of its reveals. After being entranced by the movie prior to these reveals, it would have been fascinating to see the film breathe a little more after we find out what’s truly going on.
VERDICT: 7/10
Theater is Dead is Glee meets The Devil’s Advocate. Katherine Dudas’ campy, heightened horror comedy uniquely plays with the idea of making a deal with the Devil in posing intriguing questions about fame, competition among friends, and, most fundamentally, what you’re willing to sacrifice to achieve your dreams. Decker Sadowski leads an ensemble clearly in tune with the kind of tone Dudas hopes to strike and capped off by a scene-stealing Shane West as an alluring, mysterious big-shot theater director. Anyone with any reverence for theater, the theater scene, and, in particular, theater kids, will appreciate what is essentially a horror-infused love letter to that entire world. Although the film intrigues in the build-up to its reveals, the ultimate explanation for what’s going on leaves a bit to be desired. Just as a number of novel elements are introduced into the mix, the movie quickly and prematurely wraps up. Regardless, Theater is Dead works surprisingly well in the two genres it occupies and will leave you wondering just what Hollywood A-listers made devilish deals to get where they are.
