The Wasteland Reviewer

Over Your Dead Body (2026) Written Review

What do our pals at the Lonely Island have up their sleeves this time? There have been plenty of great films, songs, and series from this crew of hilarious creators and they just keep pumping them out. Their comedically inclined songs made them famous but ventures like Popstar, Hot Rod, and Palm Springs expanded their creativity onto the silver screen. This time, director Jorma Taccone is tackling complicated marital relationships and slashers with the incredibly bonkers flick, Over Your Dead Body. A couple readies to kill each other out in a cabin when a whole bunch of other shenanigans find them and ruin their initial plans.

How do writers Nick Kocher and Brian McElhaney approach the material for the Norwegian original I Onde Dager? The adaptation certainly has plenty of the trappings we expect from a Lonely Island project and even more. The film has a clever structure that keeps a good sense of mystery and slowly peels back the layers of this wild story. There are plenty of shocks and twists along the way that will keep the audience on edge (even if the story gets a tad too muddled from its original focus). The film is full of hilarious dialogue and lines that make for such a fun diversion of a cinematic experience. You shouldn’t expect anything less from a duo of SNL writers. The characters are a bit of an interesting case. All of them are interesting and engaging in their own way but there is a lack of buy-in when it comes to bringing this couple back together. They did such horrible things to each other and there just isn’t enough here to make the audience buy-in for any rekindling of their relationship. There are also a few concerns as the film has a few gags that just feel too mean-spirited or twisted to deliver the intended laughter. The narrative also loses focus on its core at times and longer than needed to find resolution. 

But what does Taccone bring behind the camera? The film certainly has a fun tone that you would expect from Taccone and Lonely Island but there is a darker edge to it as well. The film leans heavily into body horror and slasher elements as the film gets deep into its runtime. The effects of the mutilation are quite fun with some of them being so deeply detailed and disturbing (even if those scenes go a little too far at times). There are some shocking moments that put the audience on edge but a constant flow of comedy that keeps them laughing and engaged. There are a few moments that go for some authentic emotions, but the story just doesn’t deliver on them (even though the cast does a great job at trying). The pacing of the film is zippy until the third act where it drags itself out just a little bit too much. Taccone does an excellent job of crafting fun and bonkers cinematic experience. 

Where does the cast fit into this wild and bonkers concoction? The duo at the center of the film does a fantastic job of bringing this experience to life? Jason Segel brings his mopey, puppy dog charm to the film that instantly makes him empathetic (even after we learn some not great things about his character). His physicality is excellent especially when things get a lot more violent as the film goes on. His character is meant to feel small and Segel nails that presence well (despite being physically massive). Samara Weaving is a biting and electric presence in the film. The attitude she brings makes her instantly unlikeable and suspect (but she also sells the turn as her character gains more dimensions). The chemistry between the two of them is electric with scenes like their dueling fake 911 calls is downright hilarious. The trio of Timothy Olyphant, Juliette Lewis, and (the standout) Keith Jardine make for some consistent laughs and an overall sense of danger. The real comedic MVP of the film is Paul Guilfoyle who is the no-nonsense, rugged father of Segel who just has the most pessimistic outlook on the soft world of today (his perspective and not shared by The Wasteland Reviewer).

Is Over Your Dead Body the next great dark comedy for audiences to soak in? With Taccone involved, you at least knew this would be a fun time. That it certainly delivers on. Segel and Weaving are an excellent duo that keeps the audience engaged. The film heads in unexpected directions that don’t always keep the same level of intrigue as its main premise of a couple wanting to kill each other. The characters are bonkers and so is the wild body horror gore. This is certainly far from a perfect experience, but it has plenty of enjoyment and makes it a win.