You can call F.B.I. Agent Justice Brown (writer/director King Jeff) a lot of things, just don’t call him a psychic. See, Agent Brown, the lead of The Dead Guy, is in the paranormal department of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. While he doesn’t do much on-the-ground investigations, he has always been able to solve the cases assigned to him. How? Well, because ever since he was a child, he could hear the dead, who would tell him as many details as they could about their murder.
But something strange has just happened to Agent Brown. Three female vocal apparitions have come to him, one after the other, all killed and buried in a park in Bar Harbor, Michigan. Each dead lady proclaims that they were murdered by one Auggie Doggett. The issue is that each time a voice comes to Justice, it causes him physical pain and injury. Can he get through the three ghosts in succession and still have energy to tell his partners in law enforcement? Or will the ghosts seeking his help be what will finally end the mediumistic communicator’s life?
The Dead Guy is credited as a thriller. While yes, there are a handful of scenes that are intense and/or suspenseful, the bulk of the 80-minute feature is dramatic. The film begins with Agent Brown being interviewed for a podcast, and the interviewer is matter-of-fact. This sets the tone and pace of the film: slightly jokey, mostly serious, with the majority of the plot and characterization being moved forward by conversations. The closest thing to an action beat revolves around the protagonist’s nosebleeds caused by the voices and their adverse reaction to him. It is good stuff, and using a football helmet makes sense. But it lacks many thrills or chills. So if a potential viewer sits down to watch this expecting a thriller, they will be disappointed.
“…proclaims that they were murdered by one Auggie Doggett. The issue is that each time a voice comes to Justice, it causes him physical pain and injury.”
However, as a drama about the only man on the planet who can hear the dead, the film is quite good. Jeff turns Brown’s plight into something relatable and moving. The F.B.I. agent’s talk with his on-screen brother, Joe, played by Gorio, is full of sympathy. For his part, Gorio is amiable and turns in a solid performance. Dusty Brown plays Justice Brown’s point of contact agent, Detective Sugarshack. He’s very convincing, especially in an early scene about “Muppets” versus “puppets.”
The narrative is built around why Auggie committed these crimes and whether he can be stopped before striking for a fourth time. This adds some needed punch and urgency to the latter half. Then the ending happens, which is about as perfect as could be. The culmination of Agent Brown’s powers and the current investigation he is a part of is very compelling and original.
The Dead Guy is not as thrilling or creepy as the broad strokes of the story suggest. But it is engaging, in part due to Jeff’s solid performance, and ends in the best possible way. So if one wants to indulge in some paranormal drama, then this is the motion picture to check out.
For more information about The Dead Guy, visit King Jeff’s Facebook page.
"…ends in the best possible way."
