The Dead Center (2018) User Reviews

Solid work but not perfect.

[Patient444 · 7/10 · 27 October 2019]

I should probably start this one on a positive note, thus, lovely little such examples as The Dead Center should get the proper praise for what they managed to do with a tiny budget. On the other hand I have seen even better such productions, Session 9 for me, so I won't be able to go all the way up with it.

Ok, so all in all, the acting here belongs in a far better movie no doubt about it, it is a result that simply has to be acknowledged, so bravo for those who picked the actors, also the dialogue they were given to work with. It all seemed quite on point, nothing too dramatic, mostly simple, effective, natural lines. The plot, even tho not original, cause let's face it, what is nowadays, was very well executed, and managed to keep me interested all the way. Amazing really what they did with a little budget, and a small idea, and yet, we got a terrific horror, that works in the psychological genre as well.

Kudos to you people, involved in the making of The Dead Center. Looking forward into seeing more of your work.

Cheers!

Although not everyone will benefit from the slow build and genre-bending approach, this is a smart piece of filmmaking that demonstrates an acute understanding of the horrors

[eminkl · 7/10 · 9 October 2019]

In the movies, psychiatrists tend to get a bad rap. They are often positioned as the enemy, trying to control the behavior and even the minds of protagonists who believe that things are unlikely but true. Things rarely turn out that way in the real world, of course, and here writer / director Billy Senese is trying to restore the balance. In doing so, he establishes a hero that squarely fits into another, older tradition of horror: the dedicated scientist who struggles to hold on to his own sanity when confronted with the limits of his world view.

That hero is Dr. Forrester (in excellent form Shane Carruth), a man who has been through his own troubles but remains dedicated to his patients. He's used to coping with odd situations so when a confused man (Jeremy Childs) comes through his ward blundering, seemingly unable to remember anything, he just takes his aside, calms him down and gently begins a conversation that could help him reach a diagnosis. What he doesn't know is that just a few hours ago, after being admitted as a suicide victim, this particular patient was pronounced dead in another part of the hospital and another doctor is searching for him frenziedly.What he can not understand is that his John Doe was actually dead-more than once-and that from the other side something came back with him.

While this may seem like just another horror film about possession or a zombie on the surface, it has much more to do with both narrative and thematic, reflecting as it does on the experiences of many people with severe mental illness and those who care for them. This subtext makes some heartbreaking scenes that for people who have lived with such challenges could be tough viewing.While there is a clear element of horror and a sense of threat, it is impossible-as so often in real life-to separate fully from the awareness that this is a needy human being. The unobtrusive but effective development of the backgrounds of character by Senese ensures that the human dimension is always in sight.

Although many of the sets here are quite spare and are lit in a deliberately plain manner-the ward was designed to be a calming place-Senese allows himself the occasional directorial flourishing, with a long aerial shot near the end proving to be particularly effective.Where there is a need to restrict the visual elements of the film, he draws on his radio background to make tremendous use of sound. All those odd background hums and banging sounds that echo around hospitals shape the ward's character, and the gradual build-up of noise that viewers may not even be consciously aware of unless listening to it provides a way to connect us with some of the characters ' disordered psychological conditions.

Although not everyone will benefit from the slow build and genre-bending approach, this is a smart piece of filmmaking that demonstrates an acute understanding of the horrors present in the worldly world.

Mentally Extreme & Creative Albeit Aimless Low Budget Mystery

[TwistedContent · 7/10 · 11 October 2019]

When I saw that Shane Carruth is the lead in this I already knew it's probably going to be something dark and messy with the mind & I wasn't wrong. These type of movies, mood and atmosphere wise, are my favorite. Having said that, "The Dead Center" is not a perfect movie.

It's pretty obvious the director didn't have a lot of money to work with, but that was compensated with some creative, atmosphere building cinematography, editing solutions and practical gore effects. And not only with the technical side - acting also was, for the most part, impressive and believable. The place itself, the hospital, is as authentic and sinister feeling as the characters living and working there. I especially enjoyed the performance by Jeremy Childs, as the otherworldly possessed and troubled mysterious patient. Acting's on point, but I was the most impressed by the atmosphere, hopeless and evil, the aforementioned aspects of filmmaking plus sound design & original score worked together well and made the movie stand out. So far so good, but the problem lies within the story, or the plot. For the first half the mystery goes on, new things happen - a slow burner but a rather great one. Around the middle the story starts slowing down, stumbles, stops surprising. At the end it leaves You kinda unsatisfied and craving more & You start thinking is there some message there you didn't quite catch. If that's the case, can a movie be built on one metaphor? Now, I may not know the full meaning of this movie, but it was mentally extreme & I enjoyed that.

You have to be able to enjoy movies with dark atmosphere, mean spirit, art-house antics, movies about mental illness, and such - if that sounds like a yes to You, I do recommend it. My rating: 7/10.

Low Budget Winner

[ferdmalenfant · 7/10 · 14 October 2019]

This obvious low budget film certainly didn't skimp on actors. A very effective thriller/horror with solid acting and an interesting story. Very creepy and a bit unsettling at times.

Better than I hoped for.

[deloudelouvain · 7/10 · 16 October 2019]

Don't expect too much from this horror mystery movie. It isn't a big budget movie but to me it's certainly worth a watch. I liked it more than my wife did, aspecially the slow pace that added to the mystery. You can't help it to be interested the whole time about what the hell is happening and that's a good feeling when you watch a movie in the mystery genre. The horror passages are mild but still interesting enough for a low budget. The acting wasn't bad at all and the storyline is worth a watch, why should I complain?

A dissapointing film that had alot of promice

[arated-96629 · 4/10 · 24 July 2020]

--The Dead Center--

I have been waiting a while for a film to scare me deeply and psychologically. And sadly I'm still waiting.

Plot: A John Doe commits suicide and is admitted to the morgue in a hospital. His body goes missing the next day. In another part of the hospital the John Doe is sat on a bed, alive. He has amnesia and where ever he goes, death seems to follow.

This film had alot of moments where i just felt unsatisfied. Did alot of people die? Sure, in a lame not scary way at all.

Was the acting good? Eh, one performance of the head doctor (cant remember her name) really annoyed me and was just bad enough to take me out of her film.

The main actor was holding up until he had to act unhinged, it just came off as underplayed, almost as if he was just told "act crazy".

Story was interesting at first but nothing really lived up the the first build up. Its doesn't care to explain much and while there are answers there the film just doesn't intrigue me to look for them.

However the cinematography and editing was the true highlight of this film. Every shot looked beautiful for a low budget film and the editing was creepy and un nerving

SPOILERS BELOW

The end was was disappointing and had 0 surprises at all. The side plot of the detective looking for the lost body never had a full ending or any resolution or consequence to the film at all.

The plot has a few holes that now i think about it, ruin the film even more for me.

The John Doe seems to be possessed by some demon and just wants to kill but his original self is also still there. I loved this element of not knowing what is going to happen but nothing was really done with it.

And of course the main doctor gets possessed at the end because horror films can never have a happy ending.

Overall its not the worst film i have ever seen, and it does have its moments. But i dont know if i will visit this one again.

And I'm giving this one a 4 out of 10

One of the better Indie!

[SoumikBanerjee1996 · 6/10 · 5 July 2020]

"The Dead Center" is a solidly executed low budget flick that doesn't rely upon cheap jumpscares but grabs your attention through atmospheric eeriness!

The excellence in cinematography and the sound department is commendable! As they indeed help creating a unsettling, creepy vibe. Lots of gore, violence does help regarding the disturbing factor. Some scenes are filled with lots of blood that can be too much for a faint heart! There's your warning! Acting isn't the strongest point; however the guy who played the patient has given a strong performance! Even though the characterization still feels bleak on many aspects! The storyline is unpredictable but also doesn't go much deeper in terms of flashbacks nor any sort of depth. A bad choice in my humblest opinion.

In brief, as an Indie production with constrained budget allocation; it impresses with its capable execution and brilliance in situational horror elements!

A rock solid recommendation for fellow horror enthusiasts!

Decent start that didn't follow through

[korythacher · 4/10 · 6 June 2022]

I liked a lot of things in The Dead Center, but unfortunately I don't think they did it quite right, and I didn't really enjoy myself. I'm surprised at the high ratings, but I was torn between 4-5/10.

The setup for the demon and imagery around it is *very* cool. Unfortunately, after some pretty nice setup, they didn't escalate it in a satisfying way and it never developed as much as I thought it would. If they'd really hit home with this, then I probably wouldn't have minded most of the downsides.

The ending was very unsatisfying for me. It felt like they built up some cool mystery with two related stories and then none of it mattered and it ended quickly. They clearly had a twist in mind for the end, which could have been great, but they sort of handwaved it in place instead of really delivering it, which added to some of the logic problems.

There were a couple logic issues that I just couldn't let go of as the movie progressed, but probably would have ignored if they were really ramping things up for a punchy ending. Since it felt like in plateaued for a while, it didn't give me enough to keep me sucked in.

Pretty good effort for low budget

[aldiboronti · 6/10 · 23 October 2019]

The movie makers deserve credit for making the most of what they had. Despite one reviewer's comment the acting wasn't bad at all. Good story too, it certainly kept me watching until the end. 90% of horror films these days are utter tripe, this one isn't.

Needs Tighter Editing.

[redrobin62-321-207311 · 5/10 · 6 December 2019]

Technically, The Dead Center is a good story waiting to be told, and in the hands of a better director with a little more money, it would've probably killed at the box office. As it stands now, though, it's a slow burner fraught with unrealistic happenings. To say what those were would be to create spoilers; nevertheless, this is one of those movies you watch when you want don't want to make a bad film, so in that respect, I suppose it's okay. Side note: the song over the end title sucks. Must've been the director's brother's band or something.

Never Judge a Film by its Budget.

[porkchopis2 · 8/10 · 17 October 2019]

Sure it obviously had next to no money for spectacular stunts, lush sets and exotic exteriors, but those things weren't needed here. The story was good and creepy, the acting was awesome, and it is an enjoyable film. Worth a watch.

Pretty nice slow,dark,atmospheric horror!

[tchitouniaram · 6/10 · 15 October 2019]

Pretty nice slow,dark,atmospheric horror! Everything is very well done in this film,but somehow I couldn't really connect with the story and actors...Sometimes ,everything is perfect with the film,but I just can't feel it...Recommended one time watch.

Not Clear

[westsideschl · 4/10 · 4 December 2019]

The usual supernatural hook of flashing lights to denote pending doom is getting old. The dead arising from the morgue is also an overused hook, but give credit for this corpse being a little dead different this time. Props for, at least in the beginning, realistic psych staff behavior. Not clear what was the source of our evil - alien, demonic? Ending was rushed & also not clear.

Great achievement of making best result without budget

[kevinmeylemans · 7/10 · 24 September 2020]

Quite incredible low budget mystery thriller. Some good acting and clever writing. Stays interesting till the end. Recommended if you like dark, claustrophobic, mysterious, subtle horror without plenty of gore.

A few borrowed elements but an unsettling watch nonetheless.

[Andrew_Wiper · 7/10 · 21 October 2019]

If you enjoyed "The Autopsy of Jane Doe", it's safe to say you'll find the premise for this one frightening enough as it's a tiny bit similar in its approach. Both films are pretty darn spooky in their own right. The Dead Center was good, though I found Jane Doe to be slightly better, this is still worth checking out. It definitely goes in its own direction once you realize where they are going with it, and you can sit back and try to figure it out.. (Though most likely you'll see where it's headed.) The acting is solid, the movie is well shot and the hospital setting makes for an eerie atmosphere. This really isn't anything new to be honest, but it held my attention and that's high praise for a slow burn, B horror flick. 6.75/10

Bland

[vengeance20 · 3/10 · 8 November 2019]

Seen this today & have to say I wasn't all that impressed.

I mean sure, the film is a slow burner, but this is just too bland & dull for its own good. Despite the visuals & some action, the film felt lifeless. The said action & visuals felt weighed down by the dull & bland story telling & pacing.

The film is about a doctor whose John Doe patient comes back from the dead. But this John Doe has not just come back from the dead, but has brought something sinister & dark with him...!

The visuals were alright for what they were. The action/juicy bits didn't kick in until 1/4 of the film which was disappointing. The gore wasn't bad, but like the action itself, could've benefited with kicking in sooner than later.

Overall, bland. 3/10

Surprising in a good way

[jfh_dragonfly · 6/10 · 17 October 2019]

It's unusual to see a horror, with a really scary buildup like this one, that doesn't rely on swimming pools full of blood. Pleasantly surprised!

Ok

[kathmummybear · 5/10 · 17 April 2020]

The actors did a good job in fact it was a good job all round it was just missing something that would make it something memorable . There wasn't a lot of dialogue which may of been the problem Worth a watch to make up your own mind

Little rough but enjoyable.

[IbrahimKhider · 7/10 · 16 November 2019]

I saw this film because Shane Carruth is in it and it was awesome to see him in a movie again. Carruth plays Daniel Forrester, a psychiatrist who encounters a patient who has a little more than problems-in-living, like the supernatural. Carruth is a good casting choice as psychiatrist, he is both believable and likeable. That's pretty important if you work in a psychiatric ward where patients would already feel apprehensive. But that is not to say Carruth's character always makes good choices, such as brandishing a blunt object at a supernatural force not bound by physical laws. (It would be doubtful if a proton pack would work, even.) There are a few, 'huh?' moments in this film, so you need to suspend belief at times. The musical film score could have been eerier and the director could have slowed-down some scenes to build a deeper sense of dread and creepiness (The Mothman Prophecies by Mark Pellington did a great job at this.) The pace is pretty quick, maybe too quick, so the viewer gets engaged. The actor who played the patient (cannot find his name) was also a good casting choice. I dug the film, the supernatural entity is ambiguous and the film feels unresolved, in a good way. This means there could be a sequel. It's an okay-to-good horror/supernatural thriller and fun to watch. Lots happens and though you may not be 'blown away', you will not be bored either. I will further go out on a limb and say this is teen-friendly, so go out and scare some kids with this.

Slow going

[sharonhatch22 · 2/10 · 27 August 2020]

Very slow going film, doesn't grab your attention straight away, not very frightening or gory for a good horror film so was quite disappointed.

Wonderful and much underrated

[christopher-underwood · 9/10 · 2 January 2021]

Wonderful and much underrated, this is a very scary affair. The inevitable low budget is not apparent because the acting is so good across the board and the hospital setting for much of the action is so effective. Brilliantly directed with marvellous central performance from Shane Carruth as the troubled psychiatrist and stunning support from Jeremy Childs as the dead and alive victim and monster, this starts with a worrying rush and gets faster and more scary along the way. The scenes of the incredibly busy psychiatric hospital with its varied unfortunates are especially effective, as is the final and far reaching conclusion. Brilliant.

A missed opportunity

[r96sk · 6/10 · 19 April 2020]

A missed opportunity, not that far away from being a great film.

'The Dead Center' is told, at least for the majority, through the eyes of psychiatrist Daniel Forrester, who comes across and attempts to treat an unusual John Doe. That premise works nicely across the first and second acts, as the mystery begins to unfold.

That's about it, though. There isn't really an ending per se. It builds and builds well, before wrapping things up rather abruptly. We never find out what or why, despite being shown that what is happening is occurring on a much, much larger scale.

The aforementioned Daniel is played by Shane Carruth, who produces an effective performance. Jeremy Childs is good, as is Bill Feehely; though his character is completely unfulfilled, much more could've been done with Edward.

I very much was enjoying this, until it all falls flat during the third act. Disappointing.

No explanation!

[nickpedersen · 3/10 · 7 June 2020]

This movie could be good. It starts off very interesting, but you keep waiting for an answer. Why is he like that? Is it possesion? You dont get an answer, and its very frustrating. There is a few rather stupid and cheap jump scares, that I dont give credit for. Other than that the movie cant be called a "Horror" I would call it a "Thriller" It took some time to convince me that this is an american movie, with american actors. Because it feels non-american!

Pretty decent movie, actually.

[thesweeze · 7/10 · 14 April 2021]

I always go in to a horror/thriller flick with an open mind. I realize some folks are way more particular than I am, but I really enjoyed this one. The plot was a bit different than the usual which is a plus, and was well acted throughout. A few jump scares, but nothing too disturbing, although the cadaver scenes were very realistic and all the effects were well done. It has a somewhat grainy atmosphere, which adds to the overall creepiness. It kept my attention, and I thought it was a great little movie.

Great performances, weak story

[foxtografo · 6/10 · 2 February 2022]

I really enjoyed the atmosphere, the mystery and the solid performances, specially form the two main characters played by Shane Carruth and Jeremy Childs.

The story develops interestingly, but at some early point you know everything that's going on (not by deduction, everything is quite explicit), and the movie carries on showing what you know would happen, no twists, nothing to surprise you.

The special effects are quite basic, even the make up.

The cinematography is decent but nothing special.

There's tension built and the characters act accordingly, not much silly behaviour like in so many horror movies, but the story just doesn't offer much more than you expect half way.

Overall it's an interesting movie but it lack a twist or something to make the second half more exciting.