Writer-director Brian Follmer’s Little Deaths is a drama centering on Emily (Kerri Lee Romeo) and David (Adam Leotta). She was in college when they met. He was most charming and handsome, even if he was a bit full of himself. While their relationship had ups and downs, with them even breaking up at one point, a tipping point soon emerged.
A pandemic spreads worldwide, causing Emily and David to hole up in a remote Mexican village. This helps curb its spread, as fewer people are around, but it does not mean the couple is safe by any measure. While living together wears on both of them, lots of sex keeps them satisfied. However, their dynamic changes after David gets sick and is unable to help out in their shabby cave dwelling/bomb shelter (it is unclear precisely what their pandemic house is). While he gets better eventually, he now resents that Emily became more independent and fears she no longer needs him. Still, they stay together, but is it out of true love or just a need to be wanted, and this person happens to be around?
Little Deaths reveals its ultimate message some 10 minutes left to go, possibly less, before the film ends. Of course, revealing that would be a massive spoiler and unfair to the film, the cast and crew, and the audience. What can be said is that the film is about two people trying to find themselves and each other in harrowing circumstances. This pays off in a very emotional way, as the last scene plays out with Romeo’s voice-over commenting on specific things.
“…their dynamic changes after David gets sick and is unable to help out…”
While the setup and conclusion are excellent, the second act has a few moments that don’t totally work. “My dick hurts” is unintentionally funny, despite the seriousness of the moment. Whether it is the delivery or the staging of the scene, it is not the harbinger of emotional vulnerability it should be. Emily and David being shot at while getting water comes out of nowhere and is never really brought up again, nor are they in similar danger before or after.
The leads of Little Deaths successfully carry the film through these rough spots. Romeo is believably frustrated, in love, mad, and confused. Her ending narration is perfectly delivered and allows the gravity of everything that just happened to sink in. Leotta is charming and brutish, and it is easy to see why any lady would fall for him. He and his co-star share strong chemistry and sell the pull of their characters’ love-lust relationship nicely.
The final component to highlight is Rupert Stansall’s score. The music is dangerous yet sweet, playful yet thrilling. The score really ups the ante and helps with the world-building significantly.
Little Deaths is an engaging little thriller with a great ending. While there are a few scenes that don’t wholly work, Romeo and Leotta keep viewers engaged thanks to their performances. The stellar music stands out as well, as does the final sequence which is more moving than expected.
For more information, visit the official Little Deaths site.
"…more moving than expected."
