Dead Lover Review

Opening with a quote from the great gothic novelist, Mary Shelly ‘ There’s something at work in my soul which I do not understand’, we are immediately introduced to an unnamed gravedigger who’s keen to find a one true lover, or lover she can spend every lasting minute of her life with.

Unfortunately…. Depending on certain stereotypes or fetishes I suppose; the gravedigger has an alarming odor, a highly stimulated lingering stench that she’s fully aware of knowing that it may detract suitors. It’s such an excruciating smell that it’s time to concoct a perfume for herself in order to potentially attract a mate.

This unapologetic horror so-called comedy has a high energy vibe due to an enthusiastic four person cast led by Grace Glowicki on fire giving it everything from sweet to awkward as unlucky in love gravedigger.

Bursting with various filmmaking skills, Grace also co-wrote and directed Dead Lover, she was impressive in another recent horror of a different type, Honey Bunch (2025). Gravedigger Grace is a solid non-stop personable, unique portrayal physically and verbally of someone who will do anything for love.

After defending and saving a grieving young man at her cemetery from a wild hound, they immediately click before falling in love, except he has dramas in the bedroom which in turn sends him away to find a cure to an inadequacies.

This gender bending ambitious piece of 16mm celluloid had the added bonus of some viewings in Smell-O-Vision, consisting of a scratch and sniff card handed out for audiences to inhale when prompted.
Something which was done for the retro John Waters film, Polyester (1981), even one of the SPY KIDS movies had this novelty back in the day.

Music is interesting, haunting melodies with a glorious mix of sounds come together by U.S. Girls. I secretly kept hoping for a random song and dance number reminiscent of a personal favourite with morbid similarities, Repo The Genetic Opera (2008).

Filmed as minimalist performance art on a soundstage or dark rooms with a total of four cast members in various roles including Ben Petrie of Nirvanna The Band The Show The Movie (2025) also husband of Grace Glowski.

Far from formulaic the quartet on screen are diametrically proposed within outstanding mannerisms.

Poetry, sex, religion, death, long fingers and loneliness amongst other things explored with grotesque glee by all.

I may have asked myself ‘what am I watching’ throughout and limited to who I could probably recommend this to, Dead Lover certainly had a distinct, lasting effect on my senses and should find an audience.

★★★

Out now on Digital, on Blu-ray 22nd September (UK) | Dir. Grace Glowicki | Grace Glowicki, Ben Petrie, Leah Doz, Lowen Morrow | Lightbulb Film Distribution | 18

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