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My Heart Can't Beat Unless You Tell It To

Play trailer 1:52 Poster for My Heart Can't Beat Unless You Tell It To 2021 1h 30m Horror Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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98% Tomatometer 54 Reviews 61% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Dwight (Patrick Fugit) prowls the streets after dark. He searches each night for the lonely and forlorn, looking for people who won't be missed. Dwight takes no joy in this, but he needs their blood. Without fresh human blood, his fragile young brother Thomas cannot survive. Each death takes a larger toll, the burden of his crimes weighing heavier each time, threatening to crack his spirit. But Thomas (Owen Campbell) and his sister Jessie (Ingrid Sophie Schram) are all the family Dwight has left, and as a fiercely private and close-knit family unit, they depend on him and the rituals they've learned in order to keep their secret. But while Dwight yearns for another life, Jessie needs them to stay together. And always the boy must feed.
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My Heart Can't Beat Unless You Tell It To

My Heart Can't Beat Unless You Tell It To

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Critics Consensus

Unsettling and compelling in equal measure, My Heart Can't Beat Unless You Tell It To casts a visually striking and thought-provoking spell.

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Critics Reviews

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Randy Myers San Jose Mercury News Cuartas is an astonishing talent for horror connoisseurs who like their films classy and textured. Rated: 3/4 Jul 9, 2021 Full Review Richard Whittaker Austin Chronicle In this rusted nowhere, options are truly limited, and writer/director Jonathan Cuartas leaves their story open-ended at the beginning. Rated: 3.5/5 Jun 25, 2021 Full Review Peter Sobczynski RogerEbert.com A grimly fascinating low-fi debut from writer/director Jonathan Cuartas. Rated: 3/4 Jun 25, 2021 Full Review Julian Singleton Cinapse A fiercely stripped-down and realistic reworking of vampire tales. Jul 12, 2025 Full Review Steve Morrissey Radio Times Shot in 20 days, with no special effects to speak off, and in rooms only murkily lit, it's atmospheric, spooky and intense. Plus, thanks to solid performances by Fugit, Schram and Campbell, it also works pretty well as a family drama. Rated: 4/5 Jan 24, 2024 Full Review Sharai Bohannon A Nightmare On Fierce Street Podcast It is definitely a yay for me. It's a hard one to market because it's a horror drama that's heavy on the drama. It's not the Transformers dancing that lots of audiences want, instead, it's closer to Issa López's Tigers Are Not Afraid. Aug 14, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Diane R. Beautiful cinematography for a rather weird story line. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/27/25 Full Review Audience Member Panalo! Isa sa mga best na horror indie na napanuod ko. Hindi sya tipikal na vampire o horror movie na puno ng cgi at jumpscares. May puso ang istorya at mahusay ang pag ganap ng casts. Medyo naguluhan lang sa ending na huling eksena Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/23/25 Full Review Jay A A "realistic" view of a vampire, very unique, well thought out and well written. I wish I would have thought of this. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/29/24 Full Review Robyn A If you are looking for frightful Halloween horror, this is not the movie to watch. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 10/22/24 Full Review Cece 2 Probably the most realistic vampire flick I’ve seen; it’s dark and gripping with excellent acting all around. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/12/24 Full Review harwee h solid atmospheric film, through provoking, intriguing ending Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/14/24 Full Review Read all reviews
My Heart Can't Beat Unless You Tell It To

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Cast & Crew

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Jonathan Cuartas

Director

Patrick Fugit

Dwight

Ingrid Sophie Schram

Jessie

Owen Campbell

Thomas

Moises L. Tovar

Eduardo

Judah Bateman

Turner

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My Heart Can't Beat Unless You Tell It To

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My Heart Can't Beat Unless You Tell It To

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Movie Info

Synopsis Dwight (Patrick Fugit) prowls the streets after dark. He searches each night for the lonely and forlorn, looking for people who won't be missed. Dwight takes no joy in this, but he needs their blood. Without fresh human blood, his fragile young brother Thomas cannot survive. Each death takes a larger toll, the burden of his crimes weighing heavier each time, threatening to crack his spirit. But Thomas (Owen Campbell) and his sister Jessie (Ingrid Sophie Schram) are all the family Dwight has left, and as a fiercely private and close-knit family unit, they depend on him and the rituals they've learned in order to keep their secret. But while Dwight yearns for another life, Jessie needs them to stay together. And always the boy must feed.
Director
Jonathan Cuartas
Producer
Jesse R. Brown, Patrick Fugit, Anthony Pedone, Ian Peterson, Kenny Riches
Screenwriter
Jonathan Cuartas
Distributor
Dark Sky Films
Production Co
Film Exchange, Dualist
Genre
Horror, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 25, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 25, 2021
Runtime
1h 30m
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