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Play Dead

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General Review

Parent's Guide to Play Dead

Play Dead (2025) is an Argentine-Canadian horror film directed by Carlos Goitia, centering on a woman named Alison (Paula Brasca) who awakens severely injured in a basement filled with corpses. To survive, she must feign death and blend in with the deceased while a masked killer (Damian Castillo) moves in and out of the basement, engaging in a grotesque, ritualistic celebration upstairs. The movie is described as a grisly tale of survival and deception, blending relentless tension with gruesome horror. Drawing inspiration from classics like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Collector, it offers a nerve-wracking cat-and-mouse game as Alison attempts to escape her horrifying predicament. The film features a brisk runtime, a minimalist approach, and is intended for audiences who appreciate intense, survival-based horror.

Things to Consider

High3

Violence

The film contains high levels of graphic violence and gore, central to its horror genre. The protagonist wakes amidst mutilated bodies and is severely injured, forced to tend to her own wounds while surrounded by death. The plot involves a serial killer and ritualistic violence.

Alison, the protagonist, wakes up in a basement 'surrounded by corpses' and has a 'gaping knife wound in her abdomen' that she 'sews up' to survive. The masked killer frequently 'carries the bodies of the women he has kidnapped' into the basement, and the film is compared to 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' and 'Saw' for its 'gruesome horror'.

Witchcraft & Occult

The film features strong occult themes centered around a 'grotesque ritualistic celebration' that unfolds above the basement where the protagonist is trapped. The nature of this ritual, involving multiple victims, implies a dark, supernatural, or cultic element.

Scary & Intense Content

As a horror film, 'Play Dead (2025)' is replete with scary and intense content. It features a terrifying premise, constant suspense, disturbing visuals, and a persistent sense of threat. The film's atmosphere and narrative aim to keep viewers on edge.

Would these 3 concerns matter to your family?

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Medium1
Romance and Sexual Content
Low5
LGBTQ & Gender IdentityProfanitySubstance UseDisrespect & RebellionAnti-Christian Themes

Additional Context

Best For Ages

Aged 18+ due to graphic violence, pervasive disturbing imagery, intense suspense, and implied ritualistic acts. The film contains elements comparable to R-rated horror classics, featuring a high body count and a persistent sense of dread.

Good to Know

Official MPAA ratings or equivalent age-specific feedback from parenting organizations like Common Sense Media were not found in the available search results. The film's '2025' release date indicates it has already premiered or is actively circulating in film festivals, with some reviews dating from early 2025 to early 2026. The film's runtime is approximately 72-75 minutes. There is no information to suggest the existence of sequels, alternate cuts, or content evolution across different installments.

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