DEAD MAIL (SFFF 2024)

Sunday, November 17, 2024
8:45 PM / Broadway Theatre

DEAD MAIL / USA / 2024 / Dir: Kyle McConaghy, & Joe DeBoer / 106 mins

In DEAD MAIL, filmmaker Joshua Erkman presents a modern homage to Hitchcock’s Psycho, exploring themes of isolation, existential dread, and the fragility of identity through the journey of Alex (Kai Lennox), a fading photographer. Set against the stark and haunting landscapes of the American Southwest, Alex embarks on a seemingly aimless road trip in search of inspiration and a renewed sense of purpose. His encounters with a pair of charismatic yet increasingly menacing siblings (Zachary Ray Sherman and Ashley B. Smith) begin a descent into a nightmarish reality, where the boundaries of sanity begin to blur.

The cinematography in DEAD MAIL serves as a critical vehicle for thematic exploration, capturing the haunting beauty of liminal spaces that mask deeper, more sinister truths. Erkman’s visual language reflects a neo-noir aesthetic, where the desolate terrain amplifies the psychological tension and atmosphere of dread. Taking a page from classic Canadian cinema, the vastness of the landscape becomes a character in its own right, embodying the existential terror inherent in such isolation.

The film effectively critiques the notion of the American dream, revealing how the very freedom and expansiveness of the wilderness can conceal profound menace. Through meticulous framing and a keen understanding of space, Erkman constructs an unsettling atmosphere, where every deserted lot and rundown motel hints at hidden horrors waiting to be unearthed.

With its unexpected twists and a palpable sense of unease, DEAD MAIL offers a haunting viewing experience and Erkman’s distinctive vision positions him as an exhilarating new voice in the horror genre. Prepare to confront the unsettling truths that emerge from the shadows of our modern wasteland.

With short film ROTATION.

Please note that Saskatoon Fantastic Film Festival members and Broadway Theatre members can purchase tickets at a discounted rate by visiting the theatre or buying tickets at the door.