Darby and the Dead

PG-13

2022

1 hr. 41 min.

Comedy

Drama

Fantasy

List

54%

26 Reviews

Tomatometer

75%

50+ Ratings

Audience Score

After suffering a near-death experience as a young girl, Darby Harper (Riele Downs) gains the ability to see dead people. As a result, she becomes introverted and shut off from her high school peers and prefers to spend time counseling lonely spirits who have unfinished business on earth. But all that changes when Capri (Auli'i Cravalho), the Queen Bee of the school's most exclusive clique, unexpectedly dies in a freak hair straightening accident, resulting in the obvious cancellation of her upcoming "Sweet 17." Capri, however, pleads with Darby from the other side to intervene and convince Capri's friends to proceed with the party as planned. In order to appease the wrath of the undead diva, Darby must emerge from her self-imposed exile and reinvent herself -- which along the way allows her to find new joy back in the land of the living.

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Premiered Nov 29

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Critics Consensus

Darby and the Dead's intriguing premise and appealing cast elevate it above standard teen comedy fare, even if the end result is often frustratingly shallow.

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Abi A

For a ghost established that it cannot see her reflection in mirrors, for sure you can see her shadow in the sand or ground.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

07/28/23

Full Review

LM

This is literally the perfect coming of age movie! I wish I had watched it sooner.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/23/23

Full Review

Arima R

This is really intriguing,thumbs up to the actors

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/17/23

Full Review

Kyn R

It was so cute! super good concept! And not to mention the ending is so CUTE!! I recommend you watch this. I thought it was going to be another cheesy ghost movie teen drama TRYING to be funny. NO, you feel as if you are growing with the main character, and I felt as if I was gaining confidence WITH the character. I related to how I felt in High School. It made me regret not joining any clubs of the cheer team.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/02/23

Full Review

Liam D

Despite an good cast, likeable main character and an interesting premise this doesn't elevate above other teen comedies to make it a disappointment

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

Ashleigh C

The film was good but there was parts you just knew were coming… and why did they do Darbys wig like that when she has such nice hair??? Really annoyed me throughout the film.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

Full Review

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Silas Howard

Director

Riele Downs

Darby Harper

Auli'i Cravalho

Capri

Chosen Jacobs

Alex

Asher Angel

James

Wayne Knight

Mel

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Randy Myers

San Jose Mercury News

Darby and the Dead is no game-changer but it is thoroughly enjoyable and energetic.

Rated: 3/4

Dec 8, 2022

Full Review

Lovia Gyarkye

Hollywood Reporter

With a refreshingly diverse cast and a compelling premise, there’s a lot to appreciate about Darby and the Dead — even with its muddied execution.

Dec 5, 2022

Full Review

Jude Dry

indieWire

Darby and the Dead mashes up a host of YA movie tropes into a snappy but ultimately forgettable ride.

Rated: C

Dec 2, 2022

Full Review

Carla Hay

Culture Mix

The cringeworthy comedy Darby and the Dead is as fresh and funny as a rotting corpse. This dreadful dud relentlessly insults its characters and viewers, as it clumsily rips off ideas from better movies.

Jan 2, 2023

Full Review

Rachel Wagner

Rachel's Reviews (YouTube)

Well written and acted teen supernatural story. Riele Downs and Auli'i Cravalho are excellent

Dec 31, 2022

Full Review

Sean P. Means

The Movie Cricket

With rare exceptions, movie studios usually call it right when they debut a movie on streaming instead of theaters — and that’s the case with “Darby and the Dead,” a teen comedy that’s not quite as fun as its premise.

Rated: 2.5/4

Dec 11, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

After suffering a near-death experience as a young girl, Darby Harper (Riele Downs) gains the ability to see dead people. As a result, she becomes introverted and shut off from her high school peers and prefers to spend time counseling lonely spirits who have unfinished business on earth. But all that changes when Capri (Auli'i Cravalho), the Queen Bee of the school's most exclusive clique, unexpectedly dies in a freak hair straightening accident, resulting in the obvious cancellation of her upcoming "Sweet 17." Capri, however, pleads with Darby from the other side to intervene and convince Capri's friends to proceed with the party as planned. In order to appease the wrath of the undead diva, Darby must emerge from her self-imposed exile and reinvent herself -- which along the way allows her to find new joy back in the land of the living.

Director: Silas Howard
Executive Producer: Mac Hendrickson, Michele Weisler
Screenwriter: Becca Greene
Production Co: Footprint Features, 20th Century Studios
Rating: PG-13 (Some Teen Partying|Suggestive Material|Strong Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 2, 2022
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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