Play Dead! (2023): cast, story & where to watch
2023 · Film · ★ 6
Released in 2023, Play Dead! is a documentary film directed by Matthew Lancit, running about 80 minutes.
What it’s about. If there is one person Matthew Lancit can’t get out of his mind, it is his uncle Harvey. Dark rings around his eyes, pale, blind, his legs amputated. Like Harvey, the filmmaker also suffers from diabetes. He has the disease under control, but one question is always nagging at him: How much longer? His long-term (self-)observation reliably revolves around fears of infirmity and mutilation. He translates the feared body horror into film, stages himself as a zombie, vampire, a desolate figure. Lancit playfully anticipates his potential decline, serving up a whole arsenal of effects which – as video recordings prove – go back to his youth. It is not for nothing that the “dead” in the title is also reminiscent of “dad.” Because “Play Dead!” also negotiates his own role as a father.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.0/10, Play Dead! has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Play Dead! page.
If you liked it. Fans of Play Dead! tend to enjoy One Direction: This Is Us, Burn the Stage: The Movie, BTS World Tour: Love Yourself - Japan Edition and Senna.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Play Dead! (2023)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Play Dead! change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Play Dead! worth watching?
- Play Dead! holds an audience score of 6.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy documentary. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- When was Play Dead! released?
- Play Dead! was released in 2023, with a runtime of about 80 minutes.