Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Dead & Beautiful’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Dead & Beautiful’.
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It is definitely safe to say, that each and every one of us… are searching for some kind of meaning in life. Simply because, there must be a reason why we were put on this earth, and the only way to uncover that is to search for that reason and we do that… by living life to the fullest. And thanks to the friendships we forge and the highs and the lows that we go through, alongside a grand pursuit of our dreams and our needs… we are indeed able to find meaning and value in life and peace and happiness as well. Which is a journey that makes the human experience incredibly special and powerful, and it is one we demand the next generation go upon, so they too can partake of the wonder of our brief time on this planet. 
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In fact, finding meaning in life is so important to our modern world… that we outright fear the possibility of coming to our end with nothing to show for our time here and this fear is so powerful and overwhelming… that even the horror genre is starting to spotlight it. For Shudder is now host to a horror film that explores that particular fear in a fascinating manner and that makes Dead & Beautiful quite the brilliant story when all is said and done. Thanks to its biting commentary on the financial elite of the world and its unsettling exploration of how a life without meaning… can transform us into genuine monsters. Which are feats that this story accomplishes, by introducing us to a group of five friends that quite frankly… have it all.

Because each and every one of them are as rich as they come, and oddly enough… they’re also searching for meaning like the rest of us… but are struggling to find it. So, they instead, use their vast fortunes to amuse themselves with elaborate pranks upon one another and adventures that take them to places no one else can go and it is one of those adventures… that changes their lives. For an attempt to learn more about an indigenous culture, results in some serious alterations to their physical being. Because it would seem, they’ve encountered a vampire in their travels, and his desire to make them sample his blood has transformed them into bloodsuckers as well, and now… this close-knit group of friends must figure out how to navigate a world that will shun them, provided of course they don’t let their newfound powers… fuel their privilege further. 

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Which is a plot that quite frankly, is about as original as they come. Since it doesn’t plunge itself into the tropes that currently swirl about the vampire sub-genre of horror. Instead, this movie uses the fusion of vampirism and financial excess, to basically rip on the rich through and through and the commentary here is indeed satisfying. Since it is clear that our characters personify the ‘blood-sucking’ nature of the rich and how they always seem to need more when they have enough, and how out of touch they are with everyday society. Since these kids are indeed socially awkward and arrogant because they are insulated by their money and this movie does deserve a round of applause for offering up this scathing commentary at a time when there is a growing socio-economic divide in modern society, because it needs to be said and put on display, and the wonder of this movie doesn’t end there.
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Because we talked a little bit earlier, about how this movie explores what life would be like if we didn’t search for meaning and well… this movie makes it clear that such an existence would be terrifying. For the money has indeed given these characters, everything they could ever want, and they don’t ever have to work for a thing. Which in turn… deprives them of the journey we go on and the connections we forge and to live a life without that, would break us and leave us hollow. To the point where one would manufacture experiences in a desperate attempt to feel, which is precisely what these brats do and well… that basically makes this story, a cautionary tale. One that reminds us to avoid the trappings of the world and the people that think material wealth and acquisition is the true key to happiness and just experience life as best we can. So that we have genuine moments to celebrate and ponder upon and finding that message within the framework of a vampire-themed film… makes this quite the revolutionary venture when all is said and done.

For this writer is hard pressed to think of another vampire film that features a Romero-esque commentary on consumerism. But that’s precisely what is present here and it is powerful and worthwhile, as is the journey our vapid characters go on. Because despite their sour nature, they do indeed teach us some powerful lessons and well, in the end, this is an absolute must-see horror film. In large part because of its intelligent nature and stunning subtext, but also because… it’s a fresh and original vampire film. One that genuinely takes you by surprise and also offers some stunning moments along the way, the kind we won’t spoil here so that you can experience this majestic journey firsthand, and all you need to do to make that happen, is to log into Shudder and press play on this wonderful and cerebral story.

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