A Horrible Way to Die

2010 Horror

Director Adam Wingard (Pop Skull, Home Sick) teams with screenwriter Simon Barrett (Dead Birds) for this shocker concerning a recovering alcoholic being pursued by her psychotic ex-boyfriend -- a dangerous serial killer who has escaped from prison. When Sarah (Amy Seimetz) left Garrick (AJ Bowen) and moved to the Midwest, she thought she would never see him again. These days Sarah has gotten her drinking under control thanks to Alcoholics Anonymous, and has a good job as a dental hygienist. She's just gotten into a relationship with fellow recovering alcoholic Kevin (Joe Swanberg) when she learns that Garrick is on the loose, and may intend to "finalize" their break-up. Now, as Garrick drives across the country leaving a virtual sea of blood in his wake, Sarah and Kevin brace themselves for a violent confrontation.

Director: Adam Wingard

Starring: AJ Bowen,Amy Seimetz,Joe Swanberg, Brandon Carroll, Lane Hughes

Reviews

  • Viewed simply as a horror movie, A Horrible Way to Die is diverting; viewed as commentary on our willingness to tune out evil for the sake of emotional connection, it's devastating.

    Jeannette Catsoulis - The New York Times

    29 November 2012

  • The credibility Bowen and Amy Seimetz, as his fearful ex-girlfriend, bring to their roles nearly legitimizes the movie's underlying silliness.

    Sam Adams - The A.V. Club

    29 November 2012

  • Where helmer Adam Wingard's prior "Pop Skull" used a jittery style to convey its delusional, possibly meth-addled protagonist's mindset, here, too much handheld camera wobble and wavering image focus only alienate the viewer from this somewhat sluggish tale.

    Dennis Harvey - Variety

    29 November 2012

  • Bowen in particular stands out, impressively describing Garrick's hairpin turns from comforting his victims to instinctively throttling them, but director Adam Wingard and writer Simon Barrett exhibit less facility with the big picture.

    - Village Voice

    29 November 2012

  • Viewed simply as a horror movie, A Horrible Way to Die is diverting; viewed as commentary on our willingness to tune out evil for the sake of emotional connection, it's devastating.

    Jeannette Catsoulis - The New York Times

    19 January 2013

Awards

No awards