Watch Being Dead

Being Dead is a deep, emotional drama film that premiered in 2020. The movie, directed by John Meyers and adapted from the novel Being Dead by Jim Crace, stars Linus Roache, Elizabeth Marvel, and Kathryn Erbe. The story revolves around two academics, Joseph and Celice, who decide to take a break from their ordinary lives and travel to the beach for a weekend getaway. They are both in their 50s and have been married for over 20 years.

The movie starts off with a flashback of Joseph and Celice's early lives when they were still in college. It shows the beginning of their love story and how they fell in love with each other. Flash forward to present day, Joseph and Celice arrive at the beach, but things are not what they seem. Upon arrival, they find that the place is deserted, and the couple ends up being violently murdered.

The majority of the movie takes place after the couple has been killed. The plot follows the aftermath of their murders and the search for their missing bodies. The narrative unfolds in a nonlinear fashion, with flashbacks to Joseph and Celice's past intertwined with the present-day investigation.

The film explores profound themes, such as love, loss, death, and grief, and reveals the complexities of human relationships. Through the flashbacks, viewers get a deeper understanding of Joseph and Celice's relationship, how they met, fell in love, and built their lives together. It is a breathtaking love story and a meditation on the passage of time.

In contrast, the present-day investigation is a stark contrast of the couple's happy past. It is gritty, dirty, and emotionally draining. The detectives investigating the murders find out that the couple was killed because of a misunderstanding that quickly escalated into violence. The irony of the couple's death is not lost on the viewers, as it is revealed that they had already been dead before the murderers came along.

The cinematography of the film is one of its greatest strengths. The movie uses the natural beauty of the beach and the surrounding area to great effect, with long shots of the ocean and landscapes providing a sense of time standing still. The camera work, in general, is spectacular, with careful attention given to framing and lighting, which add to the mood and atmosphere of the film.

The acting is outstanding as well, with each of the primary actors delivering a powerful performance. Linus Roache and Elizabeth Marvel, who play Joseph and Celice, respectively, do an excellent job of portraying the nuances and complexity of their characters. Kathryn Erbe, who plays a detective investigating their murders, brings a sense of gravitas and authority to her character, providing a stark contrast to the vulnerability of the victims.

Overall, Being Dead is a moving, atmospheric film that explores the beauty and fragility of life. The movie's nonlinear narrative, coupled with its gorgeous cinematography and excellent acting, makes for a memorable cinematic experience. Though the film's themes are dark, it ultimately celebrates life, love, and the profound human connections that transcend death.

Being Dead is a 2021 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.8.