There’s fun to be had in seeing Stone break away from her well-known high fantasy and horror roots (she’s the star of the long-running fantasy franchise Mythica). She gets to play a very different kind of role than usual and nails it. Stone’s comedic timing is on point, and her absurd songs, all about her need to get laid, are hysterical. Stone is so effortlessly charming and sweet that she sets an impossibly high bar for the other actors to hit.
Luckily, Casdorph matches her throughout He’s Dead & So Am I. Not in terms of energy, as his character isn’t as plucky or crazy, but he still manages to be an endearing person. As written, Lance could have come across as too mopey/emo to work, but the actor balances the undead frustrations with his loyalty to his also-dead best friend. Stone and Casdorph share fantastic chemistry, playing off each other easily to the point where some of their riffing back and forth may have been improvised, but one could never tell. They make it all feel natural to these characters.
“Stone and Casdorph share fantastic chemistry…”
Gunter is energetic and goofy as Bart, who prefers to be called his full name, Bartholomew. The actor sells his annoyance at the leads for always teasing him and never calling him the right thing. His exuberance over telling Lance and Sandy all that demons are capable of is infectious. Reynolds is determined and engaging as she searches for her sister. Her reaction to finally being able to see Lance and Sandy is hysterical.
The mystery behind He’s Dead & So Am I is a little too easy to figure out. But the film is not really about the missing Claire. Instead, Martinez and Casdorph hone in on the leading ghosts, who have a nice arc and are very funny. Casdorph makes Lance more likable than he’d be otherwise, and he shares excellent chemistry with his co-star, Melanie Stone. She gives a career-best performance, as she’s never been this exuberant or energetic before. In fact, Stone turns in some of the best acting of the year.
For more information, visit the official He’s Dead & So Am I site.
"…Stone turns in some of the best acting of the year."
