Arriving just in time for Valentine’s Day, The Dead Thing is Shudder’s latest horror-thriller, diving into the eerie side of modern dating. Directed by Elric Kane, the film follows Alex (Blu Hunt), a woman stuck in a cycle of empty hookups and fleeting connections, until she meets the mysterious and alluring Kyle (Ben Smith Petersen). What starts as an unexpected spark soon spirals into obsession, dependence, and a horrifying revelation.
But does The Dead Thing bring anything fresh to the table, or does it get lost in the crowded space of digital dating horror stories? Let’s dive in.
A Familiar Horror Premise with an Unoriginal Execution
Dating apps have long been a source of fascination and fear in modern storytelling. The idea of swiping through strangers, exposing oneself to potential danger, and navigating the impersonal nature of online dating makes for a natural horror setting. Unfortunately, The Dead Thing struggles to capitalize on this tension.
Alex, a disillusioned woman burned out by modern romance, spends her nights scrolling through an app called Friktion. Her job is mundane, her social life non-existent, and her interactions lack any real depth. When she meets Kyle, there’s an immediate connection that feels different, but as expected, he’s hiding a dark secret. What follows is a whirlwind romance that quickly turns sinister, plunging Alex into a psychological nightmare.
Missed Opportunities in Storytelling and Atmosphere
The film initially teases a moody, surreal aesthetic with dreamlike lighting and an unsettling score. However, these stylistic flourishes are abandoned early on in favor of a washed-out, uninspired visual approach. Kane’s direction fails to maintain a consistent tone, resulting in moments that feel unintentionally muddled rather than deliberately disorienting.
More disappointingly, The Dead Thing lacks genuine tension. While horror thrives on strong character development and a creeping sense of dread, the film offers neither. Alex and Kyle’s relationship is meant to be intoxicating and dangerous, but without meaningful character depth, their connection feels hollow. Their conversations are limited, their backgrounds are barely explored, and their actions often feel dictated by the script rather than organic motivations.
The Horror of Dating Deserves a More Nuanced Approach
Modern dating horror has been done well before. Films like Fresh (2022) and Cam (2018) successfully blend social commentary with genuine terror. The Dead Thing seems to recognize the inherent horror of online dating but fails to bring anything new or insightful to the conversation. Instead, it leans on tired tropes: the mysterious stranger, the fleeting romance turned deadly, the protagonist losing their grip on reality. While these elements can be effective, they need careful execution to stand out.
The film’s scares are similarly underwhelming. Instead of building suspense or delivering psychological horror that sticks, The Dead Thing relies on predictable twists and undercooked tension. Even the supernatural elements, which should add an extra layer of fear, feel half-baked and underutilized.
Final Verdict: Swipe Left
The Dead Thing had the potential to be a sharp, chilling critique of modern dating, but it falls flat. Despite its intriguing premise, it lacks the originality, character depth, and horror elements needed to leave a lasting impact. Instead of offering a gripping Valentine’s Day nightmare, it settles for a lukewarm cautionary tale about the dangers of digital romance.
If you’re looking for a horror film that delves into the darker side of dating apps, you might be better off swiping past The Dead Thing in favor of something with more bite.
