This Is Your Death (2017) User Reviews

Thought provoking

[TMLS313 · 7/10 · 13 January 2018]

Maybe I've watched this on the wrong day. Or possibly the right day. I have the closing credits still on, it's that raw. Just 10 hours ago I contemplated suicide. Not for the first time, but I had reasons. Strong reasons.

I didn't go through with it because of my family. Because of my future. But I've come home low, and obviously didn't tell my wife how close I came. So watching this... quite accidentally, actually. I didn't twig what it was about and how ironic it was until I was some way in.

It's helped. Helped me see that as down as you can get, it's such a final solution. I've always thought I've not gone through with it because the way I'd prefer to do it with a gun. Being English, I can't just walk into a store and buy one. I don't even know how to get one illegally - I guess I'm one of the good guys.

So as someone suicidal, this film totally resonates. Would I go on it? Quite possibly, yes. Not for the money, we're not in trouble. But because it legitimises the act. It makes it less personal, as I'm sure you'd feel a purpose to it. And suicide is about losing your purpose.

I know I'm not at that stage. Hopefully, I never will be. But this film, whilst I wouldn't say "it's saved my life" it's a help. Today of all days.

Thank you to all involved, if any of you ever read this.

Message received

[kosmasp · 5/10 · 16 February 2018]

Reality TV has gone too far and it should not move any further. Also society might derail if it continues this path. So let's watch out for that. The predictable preachy plot of the movie is one thing and at least it doesn't take any prisoners. But the message is being hammered so hard, that any subtlety is being lost entirely which is a shame.

The game show concept we see here and the blood lust of the viewing public is almost comical. Not because of the consequences, but because of the cliches it serves to. So the inciting incident at the beginning will spin the whole thing out of control, but with a very easy to spot goal/target. If you shut out the obvious, you may be able to "enjoy" the movie ... if not you may stay clear from this

Do you like Black Mirror, then you'll like this.

[bstanovick · 7/10 · 30 December 2018]

A sad look at the reality of reality tv. How far is too far, when it comes to the truths of peoples lives? If you want to watch a film that pushes the boundaries of the possibility of where entertainment can go in the not so distant future, then this film is for you. It has strong remnants of Black Mirror. It's scary how close to this reality we are every day.

This Movie was deep

[BeastMovieAddict · 7/10 · 22 January 2018]

This movie was so deep I need to watch something happy *puts nemo in dvd player

Not for all people

[Matin_Shwany · 6/10 · 9 September 2019]

The show, this was a different taste different type for me, havent seen a movie like that, the main idea was peoples sacraficing for each other, and all this tv propaganda to gain financial support attention and confidence, and how is money affecting people how they act with it, the exchange was soul for money, we all know money is controlling the world its the main cause of violent and disturbing, the message was clear and simple from it, the characters were acting great all of their appearances were there, giancarlo espocito was really there with his great performance and great role, wasnt long wasnt boring, i was just keeping with the story from the beginning, they delivered the ending and we got it how things changed, this movie aint for all people you might not find it intresting but its good for its genre, 6/10⭐

The Show

[JoBloTheMovieCritic · 4/10 · 11 April 2020]

4/10 - decent social commentary, but not one that I need to ever see again

Extremely different and original take on reality TV

[stephenw-30180 · 6/10 · 15 September 2017]

First, I am a big fan of Giancarlo Esposito who has been in many films as well as gained much notoriety as the Meth Dealing King in "Breaking Bad". Although I'm not sure, I believe this is his directorial debut in a feature length motion picture.

Without any spoilers, I will sum up why I thought his was a very well done and interesting film.

The premise: A reality show host witnesses two contestants get killed on live TV in a previous show he hosted. Fed up with mindless fake Television (aren't we all?) he formulates a "real" and fully transparent Isea for a show that has people wanting to commit suicide live on TV. The idea is, the network will put up $100,000 and the TV audience can match or donate as much to the surviving family members to better their lives.

Clearly, I'm sure this concept would break many laws in each and every state in the U.S. But, as is done in Hollywoodland, they address the legal aspects and find loopholes to allow this to be broadcast.

What I thought was very entertaining and thought provoking was the simple concept that Reality Television seems to be getting more and more perverse and it's not impossible to believe something of this sort and magnitude will eventually air and be watched by millions. This is not to say actual suicides will ever be televised. My point is, it seems television today has to go bigger and bolder to outdo one another to gain ratings.

The acting by all was way above par. The story line and plot simple enough but highly engaging. The concept very morbid but again, there is a quality of realism in its concept.

This is a very different story then the typical slop put out within the premise And done with a reality I thought was accurate. One caveat....again, I don't believe a show like this would ever be aired and those who would watch should have their heads examined. That said, I give it an 8/10 for originality and something entirely different.

Kudos Giancarlo!

Waste of Talent

[kdrogers · 2/10 · 13 March 2017]

Do you like watching people commit suicide for two hours? Then you'll love this!

This is a not-particularly-subtle indictment of reality television and our enjoyment-of-the-pain-of-others culture. Criticism of reality television seems anachronistic at this point; this kind of vitriol (though perhaps warranted) was outdated a decade ago. The characters are not characters; they are plot devices filled with sound and fury, signifying nothing. They have no substance; they act because the writers want to make a point. That point? Something along the lines of "Don't take enjoyment from the pain of others." There. I summed it up for you so you don't have to watch people commit suicide for two hours. You're welcome.

Different plot it might be interesting!

[Matin_Shwany · 6/10 · 10 September 2019]

The show, this was a different taste different type for me, havent seen a movie like that, the main idea was peoples sacraficing for each other, and all this tv propaganda to gain financial support attention and confidence, and how is money affecting people how they act with it, the exchange was soul for money, we all know money is controlling the world its the main cause of violent and disturbing, the message was clear and simple from it, the characters were acting great all of their appearances were there, giancarlo espocito was really there with his acting great performance and a great role, wasnt long wasnt boring, i was just keeping with the story from the beginning, they delivered the ending and we got it how things changed, this movie aint for all people you might not find it intresting but its good for its genre, 6/10⭐

Utter garbage

[eggbp-378-544557 · 1/10 · 16 September 2017]

If you found this film "thought provoking" and "multi-layered" then I feel sorry for you.

I was hoping for a well acted, well done take on reality TV but after the first 15 minutes is was clear that none of the above can be said about this film.

I felt embarrassed for those involved. Famke Janssen (Once Upon a Time in Venice, Blacklist / Redemption, X-Men) James Franco (Why Him? Burn Country, 127 Hours, Spider-Man 3) Josh Duhamel (Several Transformers) Sarah Wayne Callies (Prison Break, Colony, Walking Dead)

It felt like they had just finished high school drama, amazingly dismal.

Several great actors with many MANY great roles behind them, I can only presume they were blackmailed into doing this project.

A movie about empathy and change

[didkus · 9/10 · 6 February 2018]

I will start by saying that I loved this movie. I am surprised to see so many reviews about this movie being about reality TV or look at it like it is supposed to be realistic. To me using this plot with the reality show is simply to be able to tell a much more meaningful story about life and death and the power of empathy.

Warning: heavy SPOILERS ahead!

***

To me there were two main points in 'The Show':

1) First, that it is not ideas that change people, it is empathy, real people. We see the story of a confused man who could not overcome the meaningless deaths he witnessed in the beginning of the movie. However, rather than trying to deal with it, understand how it affected him, he decides to teach the world a lesson, to change the world.

So he goes ahead with this 'reality show' where people kill themselves in front of camera as he wants to teach people the value of life and death, while he doesn't much understand it himself. He does so quite narrow mindedly, without being able to give people something truly meaningful, counting on that people would simply start appreciating life by seeing others die. Throughout the movie we see that his message does not reach people - they either watch the show for entertainment, routing for people to die, or they hate it and want it down. And they do not understand it because he does not - the show is based on his need to understand death rather than on empathy and knowledge.

2) The second idea I see is that it is life and love which create meaning and which are capable of changing people, not death, as the main character believes. We are introduced to this idea through the story of two secondary characters: the sister of the main character and a participant in the show whom we get to know throughout the movie.

The sister ends up killing herself in the show which deeply affects the main character. His sister was meaningful to him when she was alive, she was his last family. He needed her to stay alive because he loved her. Her death is supposed to make him understand that he should have looked for meaning in life, rather than in death.

The last participant in this show was a broken man who could not support his family. We are shown they have a pretty good relationship, although not perfect. He wants so much for them to have money that he is willing to die. However, in the last moment he realizes that he loves them too much, and is much more valuable to them alive, therefore does not go with his plan. Until this point the audience was shouting for people to off themselves, and this was the first time in the movie we actually see them routing for a participant to stay alive, supporting life rather than death. Which was, in the end, the idea of the host.

***

As a conclusion, I think this movie shows us that empathy, strength, and life are what really touches people and makes them route for life, not ideas and not death. The main character stopped his madness when he felt empathy for the first time in a while, and the audience changed when they felt empathy for the man who is willing to live and love.

What a gripping story!

[Gordon-11 · 18 September 2017]

This film tells the story of a reality TV host, who witnesses a murder and a suicide on his program. Instead of being fired, the studio asks him to host a new game show, in which they do live broadcast of people committing suicide for money.

"This Is Your Death" is a very powerful film. It keeps me interested and engaged all along, because the lack of morality of the story is just too disturbing to ignore. It provokes thoughts and discussion regarding assisted suicide. The idea of broadcasting it live for TV ratings is a big moral and ethical question as well. The story is very disturbing and appalling, but the thing is that it is believable. It is a great film with an original and unbelievably gripping story.

Thought provoking and Black Mirror-esque

[mjw2305 · 7/10 · 7 July 2020]

The premise for this movie is pretty sick and the reality that we, as a species, could one day come full circle and find entertainment in watching people die like we did thousands of years ago is a scary one.

I like the interpretation of what this might actually look like in the modern world. And the movie packed a punch that made it quite powerful and engaging.

Clearly this movie isn't for everyone, and if the idea of it turns you off then you're better off not watching it.

But if you like Black Mirror, then this will probably work for you, it isn't excecuted quite so well, but it's definately similar in many ways.

7/10

Original script was better.

[sdproductions · 1/10 · 27 February 2023]

This could have been a great film. As someone who read the original script it's disappointing they hired a novice writer who then ruined the integrity of the original. Mediocre directing by Esposito didn't help. The acting was phenomenal, including by the director who played a character, but it wasn't enough to save what was happening in the rewrites and directing. Duhamel should have won awards for his portrayal of Adam and the supporting cast was amazing! Enjoy watching this movie, but keep in mind just how great it could have been without the interference of managers who are only seeking to advance the less talented, novice writers of the world.

Great performance

[haterz-42989 · 6/10 · 5 November 2017]

When i read the title and the summary of this film i thought that it sounded interesting and so i watched it.

My thoughts are that the actors were very convincing in their rolls and the story line kept me hooked until the very end, i enjoyed the ending.

I wouldn't say this is a great film, but it helped pass the time and i don't regret watching it, some of these reviews giving 1 star, i don't think it is a fair score at all.

Because i liked the actors performance as a whole and i enjoyed the theme of the story line, i would rate this a 6/10.

Chilling

[blackpian0 · 7/10 · 6 October 2019]

A chilling movie, a terrifying idea that is not that improbable to see being realised in future times if we keep going like this. Generally good performances, I think the role suited Josh Duhamel and he did a good job. There was crying involved. Watch it.

A weird one

[alanhowden-86367 · 5/10 · 14 September 2021]

I was primed for a cheap schocks, bad taste kind of movie and this was definitely more thoughtful and considered than that. What I couldn't get my head round for the entire running time (and what really dulled my enjoyment of the film) was how the host could at any point believe he was doing the show for the betterment of people (be they relatives/individuals/audience). It just wasn't a rational conclusion for a non- seriously mentally ill person to draw (as illustrated by the fact that everyone else in the movie thought the direct opposite). On a positive note I was impressed by the bombast of the ending even if it did get a little (more) ridiculous.

Good story executed poorly with sub-par acting from most leads

[Top_Dawg_Critic · 7/10 · 18 September 2017]

The story/writing was very interesting and what hooked me into watching this film. Right from the start, the score was overbearing. All the main actors except for Giancarlo Esposito (who's performance was outstanding) gave a poor performance, especially Josh Duhamel. What's with this guys cone-head helmet hair? The directing was decent but could have been much better, especially in directing the actors to better perform as most were unconvincing. It's a shame, as this film had a lot of potential. Still, a decent watch and a 7/10 from me.

No soul in this movie, terrible straight to DVD!

[davejhawkes · 1/10 · 6 November 2017]

OK, so I read the IMDb 6.2 reviews and saw the trailer and decided to watch this film....wish I had sat and watched paint dry for 2 hours. This movie is terrible. Poor script, low budget and cheesy. It does not deserve a 6.2 rating, very disappointing and a wast of time and money. AVOID!

Nice movie

[grimm-r · 7/10 · 21 September 2017]

Oerverall an interesting reality of media channels. I enjoyed the movie. To the developers and marketing team of this movie I just request to put a link of this movie on Facebook. So that everyone can check in that he is watching this movie I tried but I couldn't find it there. Thank u

It was ok.

[charleswx-43127 · 4/10 · 13 November 2021]

Definitely not as bad as I thought it would be. After reading many of the reviews, it thought it would be a disaster. Turned out that although it wasn't great, it definitely wasn't bad.

Aims For Realism

[zandertowne · 8/10 · 17 November 2019]

When I read the synopsis I thought it must be a satire, so it shocked the heck outta me to discover just how seriously this film treats it's premise of a network television program that presents people killing themselves for money. It plays everything one hundred per cent straight; gives characters believable motivations; tries to navigate around the tricky issues of how it could be allowed on the air and how people might react to it, etc. Performances are sincere and credible; the direction is serviceable - primarily to be commended for the emphasis on making everything as real as possible; for the most part the script is intelligent and astute. And for the majority of the film my only complaint was that it could have delved even deeper into the moral, ethical and social implications even as it was clearly telegraphing where the movie was headed. The inevitable connection of plot threads which otherwise might seem a little heavy-handed seemed the perfect opportunity to really explore the complex issues being addressed. Sadly the film stumbled hard towards the finale in a desperate attempt to end on a positive note, even if that meant suddenly hurling the carefully established reality out the window and becoming stock, shallow and predictable. It sold itself out for a "happy-ish" ending. In that context what had earlier seemed simply a bit too obvious (you can clearly guess which characters are going to end up on the program) suddenly becomes more manipulatively pedestrian. I understand the urge to present a positive, hopeful message, but the switch from dark to light needs to be handled with more finesse and caution otherwise - as happens here - you simply spoil what was otherwise an excellent little film. It felt like a desperate alteration instead of something being built towards - perhaps it was imposed on the filmmakers during postproduction? Yeah, I'll choose to think that, rather than the filmmakers simply lost the courage to be true to their tale: which, in a nutshell, is the difference between something like Network, and what we have here.

A film which brings light to our morbid fascination with tragedy, in the mask of entertainment.

[pollypreviews · 7/10 · 10 April 2024]

This film has a really interesting concept, which reveals our human fascination with the theatrics of death (which dates back to and beyond the Roman Colosseum), but also our unhealthy relationship with gamifying peoples lives and experiences in the name of entertainment. It demonstrates the immense pressure and stress day-to-day life can have on people, and the power of desperation.

There is an underlying conversation about how the sickness of addiction, loneliness, guilt, financial gain, greed and fame can eat away at a person, with clear references to sacrifice. We sacrifice our time and our lives to jobs which most people don't have a passion for or which fails to bring them fulfilment. We also sacrifice our pride by doing things we aren't proud of - for what? To survive and not thrive? The film draws on this by encouraging people to give the biggest sacrifice yet, their life for money, and the audience seems to believe this is greatly noble.

The TV show host's goal (played by actor Josh Duhamel) was to make something real which cuts through the fake 'reality' shows which flood our screens, but instead, gamified and glamorised suicide.

Things that truly shock us, in this case public displays of suicide, are only interesting because we are so numbed from the constant feed of content or information through our phones, TV and the media. Even the nightly news scare mongers us with solely grisly details. But this film confirms that our morbid curiosity only extends to strangers, to those who are distanced from our own lives and that we can forget about tomorrow, as we wait for the next viral shock.

The producers for the TV show within the film believes the audience craves death and destruction, when actually, a story of survival and the underdog beating the odds is what they craved. A story which provides hope that we too can survive this day and this life.

Solid production and direction. Crap concept.

[ludichrisallen · 5/10 · 23 June 2020]

What offends me about this movie is the soapbox. This movie concept is that television has become so toxic that viewers would actually tune in weekly to witness ever more gruesome suicides on live tv. The makers of this movie have such an air of moral superiority over television and it's not a new one. It's only in recent years that movie stars would even "lower" themselves to appear in tv series. But let's face it, movies are absolutely not morally or creatively superior to television anymore. This movie is derivative and out of date. It's been done before and better, which is true of a lot of movie concepts. Moreover, the grotesque violence and degradation of human life is WAY more a factor of feature films than of even the most toxic reality tv show. How dare they hold themselves above television?

Finally, television is monitored by the FCC. A show like "This Is Your Death" would never get on the air. So in order for this premise to even be believable, it would have to be set well into the future where the FCC no longer exists. But it's not; it's set in present day LOS ANGELES.

Giancarlo Esposito has done a respectable job with the direction of this film. The production value is exceptional. The dialogue is even passable. It's the basic concept that infuriating. Get off your soapbox, filmmakers. You no longer hold the high ground. Make better work and stop blaming the decline of civilization on television. Sure, we have a reality tv star in the White House, but don't forget, we had a B movie actor in there first.

Didn't the Pythons do this?

[bowmanblue · 7/10 · 3 February 2024]

I have all four series of 'Monty Python's Flying Circus' on DVD, but I haven't watched them in a while. I can practically recite the most famous of their sketches, but I'm sure there is a lesser known scene or two where the general public come on some fictional BBC programme and get routinely killed. If it wasn't exactly this, I know they regularly show people who they asked to come out from their hiding places and dropped twenty-five tonne weights on those unfortunate enough to wander onto the studio floor. Either way, the overall premise of 'The Show' (or 'This is Your Death' depending on which version you watch) basically felt like someone took a Python sketch and played it seriously.

Here, the general public come on stage and kill themselves in a variety of ways, live in front of a studio audience. Yes, really.

As bizarre - and possibly unrealistic - as that may sound, go with it - there's actually more to it than you may think. I wasn't sure if it was for me, but my love of 'Breaking Bad' meant that I was curious about 'Gus' from the show's direction, as he directed and starred in this (I really should learn the actor's name - I've seen him in enough stuff, but he'll always be 'Gus' to me). He may not be the lead, but he's definitely showing off a different side of his acting range and is probably the film's high point.

It's a little longer than the average hour and a half movie and it could probably have been trimmed a bit around the ninety minute mark.

As you might imagine, a film with a central theme of suicide is hardly a 'feel-good' movie and it did leave me quite drained by the time the credits rolled. It's worth a watch if you're feeling strong, but you may have to have a playlist of cute kitten videos on YouTube to watch straight afterwards.

Alternatively, just watch that one short scene in the pilot episode of 'Futurama' with 'suicide booths' - they're faster, cleaner and don't take two hours of your time.