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The Civil Dead

Play trailer Poster for The Civil Dead Released Feb 3, 2023 1h 44m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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97% Tomatometer 34 Reviews 79% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
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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The Civil Dead

The Civil Dead

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Aaron Murray Loud and Clear Reviews The Civil Dead quickly makes it clear that at the film’s core is a strange and unique story that tastefully examines a surreal premise with a dose of the mundane. Rated: 3.5/5 Aug 4, 2024 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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (17) audience reviews
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 Read all reviews
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The Civil Dead

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Movie Info

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
Producer
Kasandra Baruch, Mike Marasco, Clay Tatum, Whitmer Thomas
Screenwriter
Clay Tatum, Whitmer Thomas
Distributor
Utopia
Production Co
Damned Distribution, Utopia
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 3, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 17, 2023
Runtime
1h 44m
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