In the making for ten years, Die Alone is the latest film from Canadian Filmmaker Lowell Dean. Known for fan favorites such as 2014’s WolfCop and 2017’s Another WolfCop, Die Alone is written and directed by Dean, arriving in theaters, On Digital, and On Demand as of October 18, 2024 through Quiver Distribution.
The second feature film released by Dean in 2024, the other being Dark Match, Die Alone is set in a post-apocalyptic landscape where a virus has devastated the world. Those who remain are either survivalists or part of rogue military groups who shoot first and ask questions later. After a car crash, a young man called Ethan (Douglas Smith: Ouija 2014, Don’t Worry Darling 2022) wakes up in this dystopian hell, disorientated and suffering from amnesia. All he can remember is that he was with his girlfriend Emma (Kimberly-Sue Murray: The Colony 2013, Crimson Peak 2015) and that he desperately needs to find her. It is during his search for her that he comes across Mae (Carrie-Anne Moss: The Matrix 1999, Disturbia 2007). A hardened survivalist, Mae takes Ethan in and protects him from the dangers of his new reality. However, when she thwarts his every attempt to try and find Emma, Ethan begins to wonder if Mae is protecting him or if he needs to be protected from her.
Many audiences may feel that there is little originality left to be found in the zombie genre, however, Die Alone does present some new and interesting ideas. Firstly the zombies themselves are borne of a plant-based virus that is described as nature reclaiming the earth. This virus has resulted in the creation of hybrid creatures that are part zombie and part plant with branches and moss growing from them. Considering climate change and overpopulation this feels very timely and thought-provoking. This idea also provides one of the film’s greatest strengths which is the creature design itself. Furthermore, Die Alone makes great use of practical effects and the zombies look very effective.
The story itself does have some twists and turns and although the twists are not necessarily that hard to predict, this is not actually to Die Alone’s detriment the way it might be in another film. Die Alone may be classed as a ‘zombie movie’ and be gory and horrifying, but there is a lot more going on. At its core, the film deals with a really serious moral dilemma and invites the audience to consider how far they would go for love.
Bring it all together, performances in Die Alone are also quite good. Although there are other characters, Die Alone is essentially a two-hander between Smith and Moss and they work well together as two people both hurting and trying to survive in different ways. Overall, Die Alone is a strong entry into the zombie genre. Worth seeking out for fans of the genre, thrilling and thought-provoking, Cryptic Rock gives Die Alone 4 out of 5 stars.
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