Although the film Dead All Night clocks in at 27 minutes, believe me when I say that time is the only thing it’s short on. The film is packed with violence, bloodshed and lots of ass kicking.
First time director Christopher Giroux wastes no time getting down and dirty, showing us a post apocalyptic country where areas within lack any type of law enforcement. Anarchy is taken to the extreme when a leader called The Veteran (Kyle William) is said to have a chip that can control the country’s missiles. Desperate, the government sends two officers (Robert Nolan and Breanne TeBoekhorst) to a prison in the hopes of convincing an ex-Special Forces agent named Gavin Green (Ry Barrett) to help.
Green is on death row for taking the law into his own hands and killing numerous mob bosses and the like. Now, with the world at stake, Green reluctantly agrees to infiltrate The Veteran’s turf and do what he does best- be a total badass. From the over the top story line to the over the top fighting, the film felt like a love letter to action films of the 70s and 80s. I even saw a bit of John McClane in Gavin Green- which can never be a bad thing.
Ry Barrett had my full attention as soon as he got on the screen as the gritty ex-agent Green. His responses to the situation start off as very intriguing as he listens to the officers and gives little glances, along with a few smirks. However, as soon as he goes into action, his personality flips entirely and it’s McClane meets Snake Plissken. Barrett looked like he was having a great time kicking ass and taking names, which made it enjoyable for me. I also have to give a mention to the performance by Robert Nolan because, as always, it is a pleasure seeing him on screen. Nolan is an actor who really gets into his roles, big or small, and adapts so easily to any film he is in.
With that being said, most action films follow a pretty standard formula and Dead All Night plays out the same way. Although there aren’t any real surprises hidden within, I appreciate the cruel and chaotic world that Giroux set up. After seeing this film, as well as several successful titles he’s produced, such as The Sublet and Bite, I have total faith that he could pull off a full-length film as director. The guy has some serious talent.
You can catch “Dead All Night” on the Bloody Bits: Shorts Compilation from Black Fawn Distribution.