By Tyler Banark

Well, here we go again…another 87 North Production in “Over Your Dead Body”. The bar was low from the start after having seen Pretty Lethal last month. Directed by Jorma Taccone, the filmmaker behind Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, we have a rom-com of sorts with a chock full of insane action sequences here. While the plot left me unamused, the action did do a good chunk of the heavy lifting for Over Your Dead Body, with some chuckles that went around. All of this to say, I did find Over Your Dead Body to be another dumbwitted joint from 87North, but it did restore some of my faith in the production company.  

Jason Segel and Samara Weaving play a filmmaker and his actress wife, respectively, as they go on a weekend trip to their cabin in the woods. What they don’t know is that they both have a secret plan to kill the other. Their attempts fail, and things get more complicated when two inmates and a shady prison guard are thrown into the mix. It’s a recipe for a fun action comedy, but it’s all wasted with dumb dialogue and cheesy one-liners. There are some laughs to be had, but they are more found in the fight choreography than anything. In my opinion, that’s more of a compliment to the action than the script. However, I do find it unusual to see that in a film such as this; then again, I haven’t seen many movies where it’s the case. Now, if you’re reading this and wondering how the action ranks up to Pretty Lethal, it’s on par but not as creative. At least in here, Over Your Dead Body had some sort of story going with SOME heart going for it, while Pretty Lethal didn’t.

The cast is given what they have with the characters, even if they’re all one-dimensional, and no one stood out. Although this movie may have sparked a slight distaste for Segel in my eyes. I don’t know what it is, but watching this and, fairly recently, an episode of his Apple TV+ show Shrinking, his style doesn’t appear to be for me. If anything, props should always go to the stunt ensemble, as they go through the wringer to deliver the right amount of fun and shock value. Even in their recent films, the stunt ensembles in 87 North films always put their best foot forward and pack a punch (or kick). That aspect has been the most consistent thing with 87 North movies, so I’ll give it that.  

In a time where 87North continues to lack and go into their movies with a low bar, it’s content to see expectations feel a little bit met. I do hope to one day see an 87 North film that’ll truly leave me floored and seeing David Leitch and company return to form. Luckily, their next project, How to Rob a Bank, coming this fall, sounds like it’ll put the studio and their image back on its feet. Leitch will be in the director’s chair, so I am holding out hope for it. In the meantime, we’ll have to accept “Over Your Dead Body” even if it’s got little light to shine. However, will I watch this movie again, or see it reinvigorate anything? Over MY dead body!

2 stars