Summary
This Netflix film is never going to be the genre’s benchmark, but it stays true to its delivery.
This review of Netflix polish film All My Friends Are Dead contains no spoilers. The comedy crime film was released on the streaming service on February 3, 2021.
In many ways, All My Friends Are Dead, the second Polish original Netflix film, reminds me of one of my favourite films from my teen days, Donkey Punch. The severity and scope are not the same as the latter, but it’s the way a situation escalates from a seemingly innocent group of young adults, that turns into a regrettable bloodbath. The films are also similar in how they conduct themselves — there’s no overarching plot necessarily, but it’s situational; we keep our attention on the characters, rather than find an answer to their life.
All My Friends Are Dead works in its concept; following a New Year’s Eve party, the Polish film follows a series of crazy events, born from heartbreaks, fallouts, and secrets. There’s plenty of hormones flying around in this film; it’s an extremely promiscuous party, where violence adds to the stimulation, rather than it becoming a shocking aftermath. Sex and blood sell — at least for the slasher fans out there.
All My Friends Are Dead surprisingly doesn’t lull either. Certain events unfold that are genuinely interesting; a teen desperate to marry the love of his life, a young man in the closet, a MILF unable to consider her feelings for a young adult she has fallen for, and a pizza deliveryman unable to get his sh*t together. All these smaller elements gather for a solidified plot.
The film doesn’t escalate and get sillier as the run time progresses; it remains calm throughout, providing snippets of danger, leading to a wholesome, grand finale. This Netflix film is never going to be the genre’s benchmark, but it stays true to its delivery.
All My Friends Are Dead is surprising fun, bringing an audacious New Year’s Eve party, without any social distancing at all.
