Daniel's Gotta Die

Originally reviewed: 9/24/2021 (test screening). Daniel's Gotta Die premiered at the Austin Film Festival in October 2022; therefore, it should be open for reviews.

Following the death of his father, Daniel is named sole inheritor of the enormously wealthy Powell family estate. However, for a share, his estranged siblings - deadpan Mia, "influencer" Jessica and addict Victor - must endure a family bonding weekend at their Cayman Islands beach house. Daniel's ecstatic at the potential for a union, but the siblings only have one thing on their mind: murder.

The seventh feature from Canadian filmmaker Jeremy LaLonde, Daniel's Gotta Die is a quirky little indie black comedy with strong work from its diverse cast. Joel David Moore brings his endearing nice guy image to a role that will soon dive into a sinister and chilling performance. Mary Lynn Rajskub plays stone-faced and cold well but it's when she breaks, it's both funny and unsettling. Iggy Pop, in his limited screentime, brings to life a man who knows the fruit of his loins aren't up to scratch.

With vibes of mainstream dark comedies Game Night, Knives Out and Ready or Not, Daniel's Gotta Die is the kind of movie - while very entertaining - that's perhaps best saved for streaming.

Killing Daniel or Daniel's Gotta Die, or whatever title they want to give it didn't really work as a comedy for me. I didn't laugh once, which isn't great when watching a comedy. A lot of annoying characters, that also didn't help making it pleasant to watch. A bunch of supposedly stuck up people that weren't remotely funny. Mary Lynn Rajskub played the most annoying character and she wasn't even good at it. The story itself is a bit dumb, unless you don't mind the fact that nobody would get away with any of their idiotic murder plans. Maybe other people will enjoy it as we all have a different sense of humour, I just didn't.