Matrimony is murder in director Jorma Taccone‘s gory marital dark comedy Over Your Dead Body, which made its world premiere Saturday at SXSW.
In the film, written by Nick Kocher and Brian McElhaney, a married couple with a strained relationship goes on a seemingly romantic trip to a remote cabin, where both have secretly planned to murder their spouse.
But when a group of fugitives is discovered to be squatting in their attic, both their plans are thrown for a loop, as the husband and wife must now work together to survive.
Jason Segel brings his larger-than-life comedic chops to the role of struggling screenwriter Dan, complimented expertly by ‘Scream Queen’ Samara Weaving as his constantly annoyed actress wife Lisa. Constantly at each other’s throats, the pair matches wits with demeaning quips and physical comedy greatness.
Timothy Olyphant plays brutal, calculating criminal Pete, accompanied by fellow escaped inmate, thick-headed brick wall Todd (Keith Jardine), and his clingy prison guard girlfriend Allegra (Juliette Lewis). It’s a trio that is as successful in their comedic chemistry as terrifying they are in the lengths they’ll go to eliminate witnesses.
Paul Guilfoyle also gives a brief, yet knockout performance as tough senior Michael, who is the criminals’ ultimate match as he attempts to rescue his son and daughter-in-law, who are staying at his cabin.
With ample amounts of gore that somehow feels earned, Taccone weaves a fun, tense comedy thriller, with help from Segel and Weaving’s unhinged onscreen chemistry and a talented ensemble cast.
Title: Over Your Dead Body
Festival: SXSW (Headliner)
Distributor: Independent Film Company
Release date: April 24, 2026
Director: Jorma Taccone
Screenwriters: Nick Kocher, Brian McElhaney
Cast: Samara Weaving, Jason Segel, Timothy Olyphant, Juliette Lewis, Paul Guilfoyle, Keith Jardine
Running time: 1 hr 45 mins
