Everyone’s Going to Die

With a title like Everyone’s Going to Die (and it’s story of a man in his fifties returning to his seaside hometown after the passing of his brother to do one last “job”, and a disenfranchised German confronting her own crises), one could easily expect a generic, Brit-gangster-cum-comedy schlock. However, the filmmaking collective Jones (making their feature-length debut) provide a thoughtful and deeply personal story of two lost people finding comfort with each other, while confronting their own issues.

From the outset, the film is less interested in plot and more in character. The introduction of Melanie (Nora Tschirner) sees her dressed as Charlie Chaplin, and she first encounters Ray (Rob Knighton) dressed in clichéd gangster attire at a greasy café. The film’s narrative aligns itself with the directionless of existence. It is through the absurd and unlikely situations these characters find themselves in that the audience gains greater access to them.

On the surface, their bond appears unlikely; it is through their shared commonality that the chemistry begins to grow. The indie filmmaking practices of handheld cameras, location shooting in natural environments, and minimalist set pieces emphasise this intimacy. Moreover, the directors purposefully experiment with narrative flow and rom-com expectations by packing the film with existential heft, a lack of sexual tension, and a naturally blossoming friendship.

Its witty humour derives from the characters reacting to, and simply “going along with”, situations beyond their control or comfort. These alternate between surrealist moments (Ray’s niece only speaks backwards) and natural annoyances (trying to open single-size portion milk cartons), which further reflects the randomness of existence.

The Jones collective provides a deeply personal film in this strong debut. Everyone’s Going to Die is a nuanced dramatic comedy that offers plenty for film fans seeking an alternative.

Matthew Lee

Everyone’s Going to Die is released nationwide on 26^th June 2015.

Watch the trailer for Everyone’s Going to Die here: