Deadlock (1997) User Reviews

Cheap, irritating and completely unfunny zombie comedy.

[capkronos · 2/10 · 20 May 2003]

After a psychotic blonde guy decapitates his wife and axes a young couple, the man's actor brother Barry (Aaron Hendry) moves into the same haunted house with his artist wife Susan (Michelle Beauchamp). Snakes, chickens (!) and murderous blue-faced ghouls show up, people are killed, the closet turns into a portal to another dimension and the couple unsuccessfully tries to perform an exorcism before guests arrive to their house-warming party.

This movie proves once again that there are just as many bad directors to emerge from (hence sweatshirt) New York University's film-making program as there are good ones. Although there's one decent musical number and some fun low-grade CG FX (like a guy emerging from a garden sprinkler), the relentless bad acting, stupid characters and irritating dialogue make this a chore to sit through. Female cast members continually go topless in a desperate attempt to give us something to watch.

The director (who filmed this in Mexico where it was probably cheaper to produce) also wrote, co-produced, edited, did digital FX, fight choreography and acts! (None of which, too well)

Fun with friends

[Velia-2 · 8/10 · 11 March 2005]

This clever send-up of the horror genre manages to both funny and scary... Great fun to watch with a bunch of friends and a bowl of popcorn. I'm not even a big horror fan myself but I get the gags.

The send-up of Hollywood -- one of the characters is a frustrated actor -- is well-done, I love the evil producer in the shiny suit. You can tell it was done on a budget, and it's fun to see the writer/director get the most out of clever shots and editing.

I saw this on DVD because it came up on the IMDb listing of an actor I like, and wound up buying a copy because I kept wanting to show it to friends.

A lighthearted goof disguised as a monster movie

[MM-20 · 9/10 · 11 March 2005]

Deadlock has the high spirits (and occasional stumbles) typical of a first-time director's indie flick. What separates it from the pack is its wit (the ongoing joke of the film is that the Hollywood types and the soulless supernatural "kobolds" get along so well that they can't tell each other apart -- which is saying something when you consider that the monsters all glow a rich, indigo blue), dynamic visual style (check out the way the visiting hypnotist is disposed of), and a surprising tenderness that most horror films would be too chicken to reach for. There's a playfulness too -- you get the feeling these folks think watching and making movies is a hoot. Definitely worth a rent for your next Halloween party.

Classic zombie goodness

[Solanum · 8/10 · 5 September 2001]

I just saw this on cable, and it was great! It manages to take every non- original plot piece out there and combine them in a rather unique fashion. It starts out like "Amityville", newlyweds move into a haunted house. But instead of the house wanting them to leave, it wants them to throw a party, then comes the zombies from hell. All in all, if you're looking for a movie to throw in front of a group of people, this is it. But don't expect surprises, gore, meaningful dialogue, good effects, or anything that would warrant actually paying attention to. It's almost like "Evil Dead" for the whole family

PS. For added enjoyment try to count the "Lost in Space" references.

Low-budget horror fun!

[jesscail-1 · 8/10 · 11 March 2005]

I'd like to disagree with the previous negative post. I thought this movie was campy intelligent fun! (I especially liked Ellen, the disembodied nagging head in the sink)

In this day of predictable and formulaic big studio releases, here is an independent film in the purest sense of the word. The director did NOT shoot the film in Mexico, but kept production right here in Los Angeles (as we wish more filmmakers would do). He did NOT do all the computer FX himself - but rather his team included his brother Robert, who has an extensive CG resume including X-Men 2, The Chronicles of Riddick and Crouching Tiger. And as for the nudity, anyone who is familiar with independent film distribution would realize that the toplessness was NOT a desperate act by the director to keep our attention, but followed the "rules" for foreign distribution (must have breasts in the first X minutes).

So lighten up, make some popcorn and enjoy an original film for a change!

This was an entertaining and amusing movie

[rolandh-1 · 9/10 · 13 March 2005]

I found this movie very amusing. Although it was not a glamorous, high budget effort, I felt that all the pieces fit together well and it definitely kept me entertained. The soundtrack fit it nicely and one or two of the scores were especially good. The special effects did leave a bit to be desired, but did not hinder my enjoyment of the movie. As far as criticism, I found no major flaw with the movie. At times the lighting was a bit off and the performances of one of the minor characters left a bit to be desired. Overall, however, I found the acting solid and the dialogue witty, although my wife did not get some of the subtler quips. I found it lighthearted and amusing and it kept me interested for the duration of the film.

A disagreement to the first comment

[ninlamb · 10/10 · 19 November 2007]

Okay so now some might call me bias or what not but i fully and totally disagree with the first comment someone left about deadlock. The Director of this movie and the woman who plays Ellen are my Aunt and uncle. My Uncle Stuart did not go to NYU, and i don't know what that has to do with anything any ways, its none of your business where he went or did not go. There is a Newer version of the movie in which my uncle spent Countless hours in the editing studio redoing the CG FX, as a certain movie production company which was supposed to release the movie messed around with the original real and made in not able to be shown on the big screen. The female cast in this movie are FANTASTIC, as my Aunt Vanessa who plays Ellen was very very very pregnant when filming and made to sit with her head in a sink mold for hours. Why don't you try that for fun. The Sucubi was not naked to get your attention but as told is what she is, a naked spirit. The film while made on a low budget was not shot in Mexico but in my aunt and uncles house in west LA. And yes so he did a lot of the work himself but my uncle rob also helped a lot and i would like to see you do something better. if you couldn't understand the movie thats your loss! i for one LOVE this movie, but as i said i could be a little bit bias.

Classic horror comedy gem

[Bmfweldor-503-293822 · 9/10 · 9 January 2022]

For a low budget movie, hard to find, it's a classic in this genre. The costumes, make up and special effects are dated but in 1997 this was the norm, this makes it great. So many films go unrecognized that deserve a watch, this is one of them.

What a Great Bizarre Zombie Flick Should be.

[colorado22 · 9/10 · 11 March 2005]

Deadlock was an awesome zombie flick. I'd put it on a par with 'Sean of the Dead'. Wonderfully bizarre reality coming from a haunted house. Loved the dinner scene, very funny and definitely full of a bizarre tension. Really loved the bathroom scene(What's not to love about semi-naked blue women spirits!) I was impressed with the special effects for a low-budget independent feature. Made me think maybe it wasn't so low-budget.If you're looking for a fun movie to share with your girlfriend on a rainy night, with a bowl of popcorn and go for a fun thrill ride through the land of the undead and haunted, this is the perfect choice.