Something's not right with Sam (Drew Fonteiro) and it's been that way for a long time. He suffers from blackouts that range from embarrassing to downright terrifying and he can't seem to shake a constant feeling of otherness. There are a million reasons not to go when his best friend Jay (Marc Menchaca) invites him to a weekend at the lake house but he goes anyway. As Sam's grip on reality loosens, he begins to question who he is and that is just the beginning of his problems for someone will die at the lake house and they will do what they can to warn the others.
Directed by Robi Michael, Every Time I Die features near-death experiences, out of body consciousness and an uneasy examination of the power of suggestion versus the paranormal.
I'm surprised that Every Time I Die isn't officially billed as a horror (it's billed instead as a sci-fi thriller). There were several seriously scary and chilling moments in the film, especially from the killer's point of view as it dawns on him what is actually going on. The backstory and final reveal were also full of fear, tragedy and trauma, making this entire film an effective metaphor for severe post-traumatic stress disorder.
Set to Ran Bagno's evocative score, Sam's story and the gradual unravelling of his identity is told through a series of haunting flashbacks, piecing together the true nature of his trauma throughout the film.
Every Time I Die is a film that demands your full attention. It's confusing and subtle in the beginning, featuring identical sisters Poppy and Mia (twins Michelle and Melissa Macedo) to add a level of complexity to an already labyrinthine plot. 'Blink and you'll miss it' is the feeling of this film and not a single word or scene is wasted or spared of meaning or intention.
The performances in Every Time I Die are superb but special mention must go to Drew Fonteiro. It's rare that a performance gets under your skin but Sam's pain emanated viscerally from the screen, such that I found myself thinking about him for hours afterward.
I give Every Time I Die a superb five out of five stars. I definitely call this one as a horror; it reminds me of the dread that Flatliners (1990) evoked, of that dull, terrifying fear of the other side. Definitely recommend this one.
★★★★★
Every Time I Die Trailer
Every Time I Die is available on Sky Store, AppleTv, Google Play, Rakuten and Amazon now.
