Everybody Loves Me When I’m Dead Review: This week’s OTT lineup is packed. Movies, web series, you name it. But among all the noise, I stumbled on a Thai movie called “Everybody Loves Me When I’m Dead.” The title itself sounds like a dark joke about modern life — and honestly, that’s not far from what the film tries to explore.
I watched it expecting a gritty crime drama with emotional weight. What I got instead was a movie with an incredible concept that ends up wasting most of its potential.
The Buzz Around This Week’s OTT Releases
This week has been wild for streaming fans. From big-budget web series to international dramas, there’s too much dropping at once. And right in the middle of it, this Thai film arrived quietly — no huge marketing push, no flashy trailer — just word of mouth.
Naturally, that kind of mystery made me curious. And let’s be real, a title like “Everybody Loves Me When I’m Dead” grabs attention immediately.
My Rating: 3.0/5
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Everybody Loves Me When I’m Dead |
| Language | Thai (Available dubbed in English & other languages) |
| Genre | Crime, Drama, Thriller |
| Director | Nithiwat Tharatorn |
| Cast | Vachirawich Aranthanawong, Chulachak Chakrabongse, Naracha Chanthasin |
| Runtime | 2h 8m |
| Release Year | 2025 |
| Streaming Platform | Netflix |
| Country of Origin | Thailand |
What “Everybody Loves Me When I’m Dead” Promised
On paper, this film had everything. Crime, morality, desperation, friendship, and a sprinkle of dark humor. It could’ve easily been one of those tight, emotionally charged thrillers that make you sit up straight by the third act.
Sadly, what we get is something that starts strong but loses steam fast.
- The Premise That Hooks You In: Two bank employees — regular guys just trying to survive — end up making one terrible decision. One of them needs money to pay for his daughter’s education. Desperation kicks in. The other guy, equally cornered by life, joins in. They discover that there are unclaimed bank accounts belonging to dead people, untouched for years. So they come up with a plan to “reclaim” some of that money. You can imagine what happens next — nothing ever goes as planned.
- A Look at the Main Characters: Both leads do a solid job setting up their characters’ moral struggle. You can feel the frustration in their lives — low pay, high pressure, zero options. But here’s where the problem starts: the movie never really digs deeper into who they are beyond their financial trouble. By the time the real conflict hits, you don’t care enough about them to feel the weight of what’s happening.
Plot Breakdown (Without Spoilers)
- Two Bankers, One Bad Decision: The movie starts slow — painfully slow at times — but builds up when the characters find a way to make quick money using dormant accounts. You think it’s heading toward a Breaking Bad-style downfall story, right? Nope. The buildup keeps dragging, and the tension that should’ve made this movie thrilling feels oddly muted.
- When Desperation Meets Crime: Once they commit the crime, things get interesting for a brief stretch. There’s guilt, paranoia, fear — all the right ingredients for a gripping thriller. But the pacing kills it. Scenes that should feel intense stretch out way too long, while key emotional moments get brushed off.
- The Domino Effect That Follows: When their plan starts to crumble, new players enter the scene — people who want their cut or want to expose them. It’s supposed to be chaotic, but instead, it feels messy. The writing doesn’t give you those edge-of-your-seat moments that great crime dramas thrive on.
The Concept — Strong but Underused
Let’s be fair: the concept is genuinely smart. Using dead people’s bank accounts as a plot device? That’s gold.
But the movie never takes it far enough. Instead of exploring moral complexity or systemic corruption, it gets tangled in unnecessary side plots and random dialogue.
- Why the Idea Could’ve Worked: This could’ve been an emotional, high-stakes ride — imagine something between Money Heist and The Platform, but grounded and personal. The setup was there. The characters had relatable motives. The situation was believable. It just needed sharper writing and tighter pacing.
- Where the Execution Fell Apart: Here’s what really hurts: the movie feels flat. No urgency, no emotional pull, no sense of escalation. It’s like watching a great recipe ruined by overcooking everything.
Performances and Characters
- The Leads and Their Chemistry: both lead actors deliver solid performances, but they’re trapped in a screenplay that doesn’t give them much to do. You can see flashes of intensity — especially in the second half — but it’s too little, too late.
- Supporting Cast – Hit or Miss: The side characters exist mostly to move the story along. No one leaves a strong impression, and that’s a shame because crime dramas rely heavily on strong supporting players to create texture.
Direction and Screenplay
- The Tone and Pacing Issues: The pacing is the film’s biggest weakness. The first half drags with unnecessary emotional buildup that doesn’t land. By the time the real action begins, you’ve already lost half your patience.
- Missed Opportunities in Storytelling: There were moments — small ones — where I thought the story might turn around. But it never does. Instead of suspense, you get confusion. Instead of empathy, you get apathy.
Also Read: Splinter Cell: Deathwatch Review — Netflix Finally Revives the Stealth Legend
Visuals, Music, and Atmosphere
- The Look of the Film: Visually, it’s decent. The lighting is moody, and the color grading fits the tone. There are some well-framed shots in the climax that show what could’ve been if the direction were sharper overall.
- Background Score and Sound Design: The score tries to build tension but ends up feeling repetitive. It’s not bad, just forgettable. The sound design, though, holds up — especially in the more chaotic sequences near the end.
What Works and What Doesn’t
| Good Stuff | Bad Stuff |
|---|---|
| Interesting concept about unclaimed money | Sluggish pacing |
| Solid idea for a moral crime story | Weak emotional connection |
| Decent performances by leads | Flat direction |
| Some tension in the final act | Predictable plot turns |
| Nice cinematography in parts | Lacks excitement and depth |
My Honest Verdict
- Who Should Watch This Film: If you’re into slow-burn crime dramas and don’t mind pacing issues, give it a try. The movie has moments that make you think about greed and morality — even if it doesn’t fully deliver. But if you’re expecting a sharp, thrilling experience like Parasite or Gone Girl, this ain’t it.
- My Personal Rating: For concept alone, I’ll give credit. But in terms of storytelling, it falls flat. My rating: 6/10.
Conclusion
Everybody Loves Me When I’m Dead could’ve been something special — a dark, clever, emotional crime drama. Instead, it ends up as a mid-tier movie with a killer idea but a lifeless execution.
Watch it if you’re curious about the premise or just want something different from Hollywood’s usual formula. Otherwise, there are better ways to spend two hours.
FAQs
1. Is “Everybody Loves Me When I’m Dead” available in English?
Yes, the movie is available dubbed in English and other languages on major OTT platforms.
2. Can I watch it with family?
Mostly yes, though it includes mild violence and a bit of profanity.
3. Is it based on a true story?
No, it’s a fictional story, but it does take inspiration from real-life financial scams.
4. What genre does this film fall under?
It’s a mix of crime drama and thriller with slow-burning storytelling.
5. Should I watch it or skip it?
If you like moral dilemmas and patient pacing, watch it. If not, it’s safe to skip.
