Watch Derek's Dead

Derek's Dead is a dark comedy movie that tells the story of three estranged siblings who reunite after the death of their older brother, Derek. The movie takes place in the siblings' childhood home, which is now being sold by their parents. The siblings' gathering is intended to be a simple family reunion, where they will say their final goodbyes to their brother and each other, but things quickly unravel into chaos.

The oldest sibling, Alice, is played by Kyle Mizono, and she is a successful businesswoman from New York City who has little patience for her younger siblings. Her brother, Walter, played by Cole Hersch, is a struggling actor who is wrestling with his sexuality and his lack of direction in life. The youngest sibling, Danny, played by Curt Neill, is a slacker who still lives at home with his parents and has little ambition to do much else.

Immediately upon arriving, the siblings find themselves at odds with each other. They bicker over who gets Derek's room and who gets the best spot on the couch. They also find themselves at a loss as to what to do with Derek's ashes, which were left to them in his will. They decide to keep them with them and figure out what to do later.

As the siblings try to reconnect, they are interrupted by a series of unexpected visitors. First, there is a neighbor who has brought muffins and condolences. Then, there is a grief counselor who has been sent by the funeral home. Finally, there is Derek's ex-girlfriend, Nicole, played by actress Jolene Kay, who nobody in the family knew existed.

The arrival of Nicole sets off a chain of events that leads the siblings on a wild and hilarious journey through their past and their present. They drink, fight, and cry as they try to come to terms with their brother's death and their own complicated relationships with each other.

Through it all, the movie manages to blend dark humor and heartfelt emotion in a way that is unique and refreshing. The characters are flawed and complex, but they are also relatable in their pain and their struggles to find meaning in their lives.

The movie's themes of loss, grief, and family are universal and powerful, but they are also tempered by the movie's comedic tone. The movie is not afraid to take risks and to be outrageous, but it also knows when to pull back and let the characters breathe.

The performances by the three leads are outstanding, and they manage to capture the different personalities and quirks of their characters in a way that is both amusing and poignant. The writing is sharp and witty, and the direction by actor/writer/director Danny Roth is confident and assured.

Overall, Derek's Dead is a movie that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. It is a testament to the power of family, even in the face of death and dysfunction. It is a movie that will leave you laughing and crying, and thinking about it long after it is over.

Derek's Dead is a 2020 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 13 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.1.