Dead End (2003) Review

Dead End was directed by Jean-Baptiste Andrea and Fabrice Canepa, stars Ray Wise (from Unnatural, The Lazarus Effect and Halloweed), Lin Shaye (from Insidious, Critters,  Abattoir and 19 other movies listed here at All Horror), Alexandra Holden (from Lovely Molly, Dark Reel and Always Watching) and Mick Cain. It’s about a family stuck on an endless road while on the way to grandmas house for Christmas Eve.

Read the signs.

Dead End got on my radar after watching Wind Chill, which is similar in many ways (to the point where Wind Chill is a near rip-off of Dead End). Wind Chill was good, but Dead End was GREAT. I’ve already watched it twice and will be watching it again every Christmas.

The entire movie takes place in a car along a desolate stretch of road, which means the cast will either make or break it. And this case nailed it in every way. The dad is hilariously grumpy, the mom is both sweet and manic, the son is a charismatic little prick, the daughter is both fragile and the backbone of the family and her fiance, well, let’s just say he doesn’t stick around for long.

Dead End has an undeniable Twilight Zone vibe which really sets it apart from other Christmas horrors. It’s more of a feel good horror than one that shocks you with gore. There’s multiple kill scenes and plenty of mounting dread, just without any of the cliche tropes that are so common among similar movies. And the dialog, oh the dialog is so good. The arguments between the mom and dad are comedy, as are all of the truth bombs that are thrown around at random.

It has a few flaws of course, all movies do, especially horrors. And especially Christmas horrors. But this isn’t the season for nitpicking right? It’s the season to give thanks and appreciate movies that deliver a bit of holiday cheer in unexpected ways.