Film Review – Just Play Dead (2026)

      Just Play Dead, 2026.

      Directed by Martin Campbell.

      Featuring Samuel L. Jackson, Eva Green, María Pedraza, Eoin Macken, Jason Fernández, Nicole Ansari-Cox, Jordi Borràs, Eduardo Aladro, Salvador Esparza, Dar Dash, Nikola Parvanov, Colette Fenton-Hunt, Lee Boardman, César Martel, Paulo Rivera, Carlo Spano, Daniel Bustillo, David Juarez, and Geoffroy Lickel.

      SYNOPSIS:

      A crook devises a plan to fake his death in order to collect insurance money while framing his wife's lover. Meanwhile, his wife schemes to truly kill him and take everything for herself. Both engage in a lethal contest of cunning as they attempt to outsmart each other.

      This convoluted, occasionally nonlinear comedic thriller about a wealthy couple plotting each other's demise on a tropical island should provide more excitement. Directed by Martin Campbell, Just Play Dead lacks any real passion, suffering from a weak screenplay by Dan Gordon (who has been involved in several successful projects, including murder-themed films) that even the charismatic Samuel L. Jackson and the alluring, cunning character played by Eva Green cannot salvage. They are the ones truly playing dead, as the film teases potential for nearly 90 minutes before concluding with a series of absurd twists.

      Shady businessman Jack Wolf (Samuel L. Jackson) has a criminal past that is about to catch up with him, leading to impending indictment. He has prepared for this moment with a plan involving his wife Nora (Eva Green), who actually owns 51% of their company, to stage his murder for a substantial insurance payout. However, given Jack's less-than-loyal behavior—Nora has started sleeping with various men, including a local homicide detective named Dani (Eoin Macken) and a charming younger guy, Chad (Jason Fernández)—there's a chance she may genuinely wish to kill him. Aware of this and with private investigators documenting Nora’s activities, Jack effectively blackmails her into executing his scheme his way.

      The film includes occasional flashbacks (back to five weeks prior) to clarify the motivations of these deceitful partners, while the filmmakers also keep circling around the central narrative in present time. It’s quite clear that Nora is leveraging every advantage to orchestrate her own plans with these men, even as doubts arise about her true feelings for them. The concern is that it’s hard to care about the outcome. Soon, Jack pushes himself into the mix, particularly making Chad feel overwhelmed. Meanwhile, Dani’s law enforcement partner, Bianca (María Pedraza), expresses similar sentiments, understanding who the Wolfs are and anticipating the impending chaos.

      The film fails to effectively function as a travelogue, even with its tropical settings. The closest it comes to achieving that is through Samuel L. Jackson frequently appearing in unbuttoned shirts, hinting at the warm and breezy weather. Unfortunately, the film itself feels anything but light, stretching 90 minutes into what feels like 140. Numerous attempts at seduction and sensuality come off as bland, failing to spark any interest (Eva Green is not to blame; her talent is squandered in this lackluster portrayal). The two seasoned actors discussing their mutual disdain and murder lacks any vibrancy despite the chatty script.

      There is a moment in the final 15 minutes when all secrets are unveiled, revealing an absurd truth that could make for some entertaining viewing, but that's assuming one can endure the preceding 75 minutes. This film could have been an enjoyable disaster, resembling a tropical, wealth-driven version of War of the Roses that ends up being more tedious than tumultuous. Audiences surely won’t be playing dead during Just Play Dead; instead, they’ll likely be fast asleep. Acting out the film's title might serve as a better option than actually watching it.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★

      Robert Kojder