#AMFAD: All My Friends Are Dead (2024) Movie Review – Where to Watch Online
All My Friends Are Dead (2024), directed by Marcus Dunstan and written by Josh Sims and Jessica Sarah Flaum, brings together a fresh twist on the classic slasher genre. Known for his work in the Saw franchise, Dunstan’s vision merges modern-day themes of social media, influencer culture, and the age-old horror trope of group isolation with a serial killer on the loose. While not entirely revolutionary, All My Friends Are Dead proves to be an entertaining, self-aware horror flick that knows its audience well.
Plot Overview: The Seven Deadly Sins Meet Influencer Culture
The movie follows a group of college friends who embark on a road trip to attend the long-awaited return of the music festival, Karmapalooza. The festival’s infamy stems from a series of unsolved murders 20 years prior, with the killer thematically inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins. As the group rents an Airbnb after a roadside mishap, their weekend of fun and music quickly descends into horror when an unknown assailant begins picking them off, one by one, using the same “sins” motif.
From the very start, All My Friends Are Dead doesn’t try to hide its influences. If you’ve seen Se7en or I Know What You Did Last Summer, the structure will feel familiar, but what makes the film work is its clear recognition of those inspirations. Rather than shying away from cliché, the movie leans into it, adding a layer of self-aware humor that appeals to today’s horror fans.
Characters and Performances
Jade Pettyjohn plays Sarah, the film’s “final girl” archetype, standing out as the most grounded and likable character in a group full of oblivious influencers. While her character doesn’t necessarily break new ground, Pettyjohn’s performance is engaging, evoking the intelligence and grit necessary for the audience to root for her survival. The film revolves around Sarah’s journey, as she tries to make sense of the carnage unfolding around her.
The supporting cast is filled with stereotypical but well-performed roles, from Mona (Jennifer Ens), the queen bee social influencer, to L.B. (Julian Haig), the promiscuous character whose fate is tied to his sin. These archetypes echo slasher films of the past, but the cast brings enough depth to avoid falling flat. Other notable performances include Justin Derickson as Will, the surprisingly insightful stoner, and Ali Fumiko Whitney as Liv, the wannabe influencer desperate for attention.
Though JoJo Siwa’s Collette only appears briefly, her character’s mysterious death looms large over the film’s events, providing a driving force for Sarah’s deeper involvement in uncovering the killer.
Themes: Social Media and Modern-Day Disconnect
One of the film’s more interesting angles is its critique of social media culture. Throughout the film, the characters’ obsession with likes, shares, and online personas contrasts with their growing isolation and imminent danger. At times, their digital lives seem to overshadow their actual survival, which adds a layer of social commentary to the bloody proceedings.
This critique, while not deeply explored, resonates in a world where social media influence can drive personal identity and self-worth. The characters’ vanity and superficial concerns about their online presence are, ironically, part of their undoing.
Visual Style and Gore Factor
True to Marcus Dunstan’s horror roots, All My Friends Are Dead doesn’t shy away from gore, and it does so in an almost playful, over-the-top manner. Each death corresponds to one of the Seven Deadly Sins, giving the audience a twisted sense of satisfaction as each sin is “punished” in an elaborate and grotesque fashion. While not as graphic as Saw, the film’s kills are creative, and horror fans will appreciate the dark humor Dunstan brings to the table.
The film’s cinematography also stands out, blending the modern slasher aesthetic with a vintage ’80s flair. Scenes involving smartphones, Instagram stories, and digital communication are juxtaposed with the gritty, real-time terror that plays out as the murders happen.
A Self-Aware Slasher
One of the biggest strengths of All My Friends Are Dead is its self-awareness. It doesn’t try to reinvent the genre but instead embraces its formulaic elements. The script cleverly acknowledges its own unoriginality, making fun of the trope-heavy setup while delivering an entertaining horror experience. For fans of movies like Scream or Bodies Bodies Bodies, this will feel like a fresh, modern take on the formula, without trying too hard to be groundbreaking.
Where to Watch All My Friends Are Dead
As of its release date on August 2, 2024, All My Friends Are Dead is available for streaming on various platforms:
- Cineverse (theatrical and digital) – The primary distributor for the movie, offering both rental and purchase options.
- Amazon Prime Video – Available for digital rental and purchase in the U.S.
- Apple TV+ – Offers digital rental and purchase.
- Vudu – Rent or buy the movie in HD or SD.
- Google Play Movies – Streaming rental and purchase options.
- YouTube Movies – Available for rental and purchase in the U.S.
For those looking to enjoy All My Friends Are Dead from the comfort of their home, these platforms provide easy access, with options ranging from high-definition streaming to affordable rental rates.
Final Thoughts
All My Friends Are Dead is a fun and bloody romp through familiar horror territory. Its strength lies in its ability to poke fun at the slasher genre while delivering satisfying, if predictable, thrills. With solid performances, especially from Jade Pettyjohn, and enough gore to keep horror fans happy, this movie doesn’t break new ground but offers a nostalgic, self-aware ride for fans of modern slashers. For a movie night full of suspense, humor, and horror, it’s worth checking out on your preferred streaming service.
