After.Life (2009)★★★★☆

I like this one, though definitely more for the cast than the scare factor.

Honestly, I think the only reason they went the horror direction is so they had a (reasonably) good reason to keep Christina Ricci naked on a table for most of the film. Not that I’m complaining.

I also feel like this is the perfect role for Justin Long (Paul) – a sort of endearingly awkward, love-stricken or heartsick dope. He pulls it off, and extremely convincingly. Liam Neeson as the funeral director, of course, pulls off stoic and mysterious in this film just as well as he always does.

This was also a reasonably appropriate role for Christina Ricci (Anna) – well, except for the elementary school teacher part. I don’t buy that, though I see how they needed that bit for Jack’s role to fit properly. Oh, and Chandler Canterbury as Jack was pretty darn good as well.

The story is interesting – enough to forgive the lame dialogue that pops up from time to time (most notably when Anna asks “Is this the afterlife? Because it feels more like hell”). It will keep you guessing throughout but does provide closure at the end.

There’s a lot of swearing and a lot of boobs and a bit of violence and gore, but this movie should have pretty broad appeal and I’d recommend it if you’re looking for something that you’ll have to think about a bit while watching.