The Civil Dead Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

The Civil Dead Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 15, 2023

“The Civil Dead” is a different kind of ghost story. It’s not about terror or tragedy, but loneliness, with the deceased figure offered here a man with nothing to do, clinging to the one person who’s capable of seeing and interacting with him. It’s more of a black comedy about stalking than a spooky movie, with co-writers Whitmer Thomas and Clay Tatum (who also directs) trying to find an offbeat way of exploring a spectral connection, and one that’s entirely unwanted by at least one of the participants. “The Civil Dead” doesn’t offer much in the way of sharp editing, but Thomas and Tatum have an idea worth exploring in this periodically amusing endeavor.

Clay (Clay Tatum) is a struggling photographer in Los Angeles who doesn’t have job prospects, trying to work behind his girlfriend’s back pulling small-time scams on people to make enough cash to cover the rent. One afternoon while on a walk to take pictures, Clay encounters Whit (Whitmer Thomas), a lonely ghost and former high school friend, with the pair enjoying an unexpected reunion. However, once pleasantries are exhausted, Whit won’t leave Clay’s side, determined to remain with the one person capable of seeing him, putting the photographer in a difficult position of patience as the specter starts to shadow his every move.

Clay is an odd guy stuck in a bad situation. He’s dealing with hair issues and doesn’t have a job, resorting to crime to make ends meet, including putting his own apartment up for rent, charging people application fees for quick cash. He has no functional friends either, content to wander around the day taking pictures. He finds Whit in the wild, with the old pals catching up with awkward small talk, but a greater problem develops when Whit won’t leave. “The Civil Dead” begins to explore an unusual haunting, but the ghost isn’t evil, he just can’t handle being alone, clinging to Clay as the photographer figures out his options with this guest who won’t go away.

There’s humor in “The Civil Dead,” with Tatum and Thomas working well together with seemingly improvised scenes, feeling around for banter and questions as a casual reconnection turns into a crisis. Clay immediately turns to monetary gain, using Whit to help cheat at a Hollywood poker game. He also learns more about the reality of his haunting, studying up on a woman who also spent time with a ghost, eventually driven to madness. There’s no sense of urgency to “The Civil Dead,” with everything played casually, even the discovery of Whit’s powers, as he’s capable of being destructive when angered.

The Civil Dead Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation carries a warmer look for the HD-shot feature, handling limited lighting and drier environments. Greenery is appealing with California tours, and clothing registers as intended, including defined purple on Whit. Signage and decoration also secure inviting primaries. Skin tones are natural. Detail works with softer cinematography, but skin particulars and hair cuts are appreciable. House tours are open for examination, while exteriors are dimensional. Delineation is acceptable. Some mild banding is present.

The Civil Dead Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix deals with the subdued mood of "The Civil Dead." It's not a particularly enveloping track, with surrounds limited to atmospherics and musical moods. It's more frontal, with a slightly wider sense of engagement at times as characters move around. Dialogue exchanges are sharp and inviting, preserving performance nuance. Soundtrack offerings are crisp, with defined instrumentation. Low-end isn't challenged.

The Civil Dead Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features director/star/co-writer Clay Tatum and co-writer/star Whitmer Thomas.

• Deleted Scenes (4:28, HD) are offered.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:20, HD) is included.

The Civil Dead Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There are laughs in "The Civil Dead," but it's a slow-burn type of comedy, in no real hurry to get to its final destination. The journey is meant to be the movie, and it's a picture that could lose 20 minutes without hurting what little here passes for story. Still, a general twisting of ghostly happenings is interesting, and the feature's idiosyncratic ways are mildly appealing, doing something different with genre expectations and low-budget filmmaking.