The Civil Dead

Released Feb 3, 2023

1 hr. 44 min.

Comedy

List

97%

35 Reviews

Tomatometer

79%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Audience Score

Clay is a loner photographer who enjoys a mundane life with his artist wife Whitney in Los Angeles. Whitney advises Clay, who has been creatively stagnant and unemployed for months, to go out and be productive while she's out of town and not to "just lay in the living room and drink beer." While taking photos out in a park, Clay happens upon his long-lost friend, Whit. After a night of catching up, Whit discloses an unsettling secret to Clay, which puts a strain on his marriage and causes him to question his own sanity.

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Critics Consensus

With a satisfying blend of humor and melancholy, The Civil Dead finds creative partners Clay Tatum and Whitmer Thomas taking a haunting look at the pitfalls of friendship.

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Alec B

There's a very interesting core idea here about aimless 30 somethings haunting each other, I just wish that the narrative wasn't as equally aimless.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/04/24

Full Review

Christopher H

Dark, shot beautifully, but most of all it is funny as hell. This movie could have been twice as long and I wouldn't have minded it a bit. The pacing and naturalistic dialogue make this such a smooth ride -until it doesn't want you to feel that. It's remained rewarding on rewatches. Can't wait to see what's next from these guys.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/20/24

Full Review

Annalise B

Funny little inverse on a genre that has been done to death

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/16/24

Full Review

Jared S

Toys with the ghost movie tropes to bring a dry and funny story of a dysfunctional friendship. I hope the Clay Tatum and Whitmer Thomas team goes on to do bigger things. Whitmer Thomas for Joker

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/18/23

Full Review

Ravenswood R

This was pretty good. Holds your interest throughout. At times it is quite clever, and the tone is consistently entertaining. A fun watch. If the filmmakers had come up with a better ending it would have helped the overall impact.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/06/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This movie was great. The writing style was different but well played. All together great movie and the “ghost” was sweet to see. Loved it, hope it does well at the awards!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/28/23

Full Review

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Clay Tatum

Director

Clay Tatum

Clay

Whitmer Thomas

Whit

Whitney Weir

Actor

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Budd

Robert Longstreet

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

A shambling, mordant mumblecore-style comedy, The Civil Dead deftly balances the understated humour of discomfort...

Rated: 3/5

Jan 21, 2024

Full Review

Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

It is shruggingly deadpan and throwaway, but with a real satirical point and it is genuinely and unexpectedly bleak.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 15, 2024

Full Review

Richard Whittaker

Austin Chronicle

At its dead but lively heart, it's an awkward buddy comedy, with real-life friends, collaborators, and co-writers Thomas and Tatum bouncing off each other with a laid-back, laconic yet vulnerable vibe.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 21, 2023

Full Review

Kevin Wight

The Wee Review

Its meandering narrative is too threadbare to really connect

Rated: 2

Feb 28, 2024

Full Review

Rich Cline

Shadows on the Wall

Actor-filmmakers Clay Tatum and Whitmer Thomas infuse everything with a wry sense of humour that's goofy but has just a hint of edge to it. So while it's a bit meandering, it's also engaging.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 23, 2024

Full Review

James Perkins

Starburst

The Civil Dead is a wonderfully funny, heartwarming, and tragic comedy that superbly captures the struggles and loneliness of creatives...

Rated: 4/5

Jan 16, 2024

Full Review

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Synopsis

Clay is a loner photographer who enjoys a mundane life with his artist wife Whitney in Los Angeles. Whitney advises Clay, who has been creatively stagnant and unemployed for months, to go out and be productive while she's out of town and not to "just lay in the living room and drink beer." While taking photos out in a park, Clay happens upon his long-lost friend, Whit. After a night of catching up, Whit discloses an unsettling secret to Clay, which puts a strain on his marriage and causes him to question his own sanity.

Director: Clay Tatum
Screenwriter: Clay Tatum, Whitmer Thomas
Distributor: Utopia
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 3, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 17, 2023

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