Written by John Edward Betancourt Blu Hunt and Ben Smith-Petersen as Alex and Kyle in Elric Kane’s THE DEAD THING. (Photo Courtesy of Shudder. A Shudder Release.)
Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘The Dead Thing’. It also contains discussions regarding emotional and physical abuse, which may be triggering to some individuals.
It is definitely safe to say, that each and every one of us, have some pretty specific expectations for the romantic relationship we wish to find in this life. For instance, we want someone that we are attracted to on a fundamental level. Plus, we want them to harbor a grand moral core and treat others with respect and kindness. Not to mention, we also want them to elicit an incredible spark within us. The kind that we will never experience in the presence of another and is so strong that something as simple as a casual glance or a flash of a smile when they greet us, sends our heart a flutter. But above all, we want them to love us unconditionally and treat us in a manner that makes us feel safe and secure, and we do our best to seek this out. Which is why, it is so incredibly confusing… when we find ourselves in a toxic relationship. Because that just doesn’t make sense. But alas, on our way to the one, that person that checks every box on that list… we will date folks that are downright disgusting. That are the anthesis to that particular wish list, and everything we should avoid. Sometimes in fact, we are around them for years on end, and we endure their sour moral code, their vitriol and ugliness and the abuse they send our way in small or large does. But why? Why would so many of us, who want something better, who have great expectations for love, take the time to let that kind of person into our lives and control us? Well, it just so happens that a new horror film on Shudder, takes the time to ponder upon that in The Dead Thing. A feat that this story accomplishes by introducing us to Alex. A woman that leads a pretty awesome life to say the least. For she has a good job that pays well and requires little of her, giving her the ability to live life as she sees fit. But she is listless, bored, and downright lonely, and she of course, is on the apps and looking for Mister Right. But alas, no one seems to fulfill her checklist, that is… until she meets Kyle. A charming man that loves animals and that she connects with deeply. But alas, after a night of what could be called love at first sight, he ghosts Alex, and that drives her the brink of madness. To the point where she seeks him out in every way imaginable. Only… when she finds him again, she comes to realize that he harbors some hideous secrets. The kind that should scare her away, but do not. In fact, they draw her closer to him, and the trouble he is about to bring into her life. 
Which truly is the perfect way to deconstruct why we find ourselves in toxic relationships and drawn to people that aren’t what we want. For the story does so in a direct manner, by first pointing out that guys like Kyle, are wolves in sheep’s clothing. That emit a sense of wonder and good to those eager to find it, to latch on and cause all kinds of trouble. But of course, that doesn’t explain why someone who is good would let that kind of person stick around, and the film explores that too. By pointing out, there is a thrill that comes from dating someone drowning in red flags. Plus, their issues, leave us to wonder if we can repair the damage we see before us and enhance the fundamental connection that exists for reasons, we might not be ready to face in that moment. Such as the fact that when we tend to date people like Kyle, our self-esteem is not where it needs to be, or we’ve struggled enough with dating to think this is all we can do.
But that just leads to a grand lesson in this film, one that speaks to how pushing to get what we truly deserve from a relationship, saves us from the real disaster that comes from these relationships and that… is where the horror elements come into play. Since we see, the darkest aspect of abusers come to life in this story and the joy they indulge in, when they unleash the psychological and physical damage that fulfills something hideous within them. Which leads to some disgusting moments in this story that showcase what abusers and toxic individuals are capable of when they feel free to finally be themselves and that… is downright terrifying. In fact, be warned, there are segments of this story that are outright unsettling to watch and feel a little too real. However, great horror, doesn’t hold back, and that makes this… a great horror feature. Because it is unrelenting in its exploration of why toxic relationships persist in our world, and why we get into them, and how that doesn’t make us failures, or bad… just people. People that make a poor choice that we eventually learn from, and all of that is embedded into a brilliant script from Elric Kane and Webb Wilcoxen, and it comes to life in a powerful manner through Kane’s direction of Blu Hunt (Alex) and Ben Smith-Petersen (Kyle). Since they give life to characters that feel stunningly real, and all these elements make this a must-see movie. Because this is that rare horror film that truly reflects the toughest parts of life, in the boldest and bravest manner possible, to task its audience to be objective and patient when it seems our one true love, that ‘too perfect’ individual, comes into our lives. Watch ‘The Dead Thing’
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