“DEAD GIVEAWAY” (2025) is a Bloody Who Done It Told Through Hangover Logic

Courtesy of VP Independent

As a lifelong horror fan, I’ve always had a soft spot for independent horror movies. There is something alluring about watching filmmakers outside the world of the high price studios craft scares, laughs, and wild originality on their own terms. Indie horror has a way of reigniting that spark in fans, the same one that made us fall in love with the genre in the first place. These movies are scrappy, fearless, and often more emotionally raw than the polished big-budget releases. When an indie horror movie hits, it hits hard, we all are still talking about how crazy “The Blair Witch Project” is 26 years ago (I still do and it has always been the reason why I have still refused to go camping). That is exactly what Ian Kimble’s “Dead Giveaway” does. It is the kind of horror-comedy that reminds you why independent cinema matters: it is inventive, bold, and brimming with personality.

After a great run at the Philadelphia Film Festival, where it earned an Honorable Mention for Best Chemistry, “Dead Giveaway” is already proving that word of mouth can make as much noise as a studio marketing budget. Written and directed by Kimble, this bloody, booze-soaked rollercoaster of chaos doesn’t just play by the rules, it breaks them with a smile.

WHEN BRUNCH GETS BLOODY:

“Dead Giveaway” opens like a hangover nightmare that feels just a little too relatable. Jill, played by the endlessly entertaining Ruby Modine, wakes up with a pounding headache, an uninvited corpse in her bed, and a schedule that still includes making it to brunch by 3:00 p.m. From there, everything spirals gloriously out of control: there’s a tied-up man in her closet, a roommate that may be harboring a secret of her own, and a best friend who simply wants to go to brunch. The best way to compare this movie to anything you may have seen is saying it is an enjoyable hybrid of “Thelma and Louise” meets “The Hangover”. Not to toot my own horn but I will say for once, that comparison is spot-on. It’s a wild blend of chaos, dark humor, and female camaraderie with a bloody bow on top.

One of the many things that immediately grabbed my attention while watching this movie is how confidently Kimble’s script walks the line between horror and comedy. The jokes land as hard as the jump scares, and every punchline feels like it has been marinated in panic and caffeine. The pacing is relentless in a way that it is the kind of ride that refuses to let you catch your breath. You just have to hang on, put your phone away to not miss a moment and hope brunch still happens for our main characters.

I would forever be regretful if I didn’t talk about Ruby Modine and Mikaela Hoover because these two absolutely own this movie. Their chemistry is the heartbeat of “Dead Giveaway”, and it is easy to see why the Philadelphia Film Festival took notice of their stellar performances. Modine gives her character Jill a frazzled charm that’s instantly relatable. She’s messy, funny, terrified, and determined all at once, while rocking that dreadful hangover that we all have on more than one occasion dealt with. Her physical comedy is sharp, her timing is pitch-perfect, and she shifts between panic and wit with absolute ease.

Courtesy of VP Independent

Then there’s Hoover, who’s also a total revelation here. I’ve enjoyed her work in movies like “The Suicide Squad” and “Guardians of the Galaxy”, but “Dead Giveaway” lets her fully embrace her comedic instincts. The back-and-forth between Hoover and Modine is hilarious, fast, and perfectly in sync. Their banter feels so natural that it almost seems improvised. Watching these two navigate one ridiculous disaster after another is pure entertainment gold.

It’s also incredibly refreshing to see a horror-comedy anchored by such strong female leads. Too often, horror-comedies treat women as victims or side characters, but here, Modine and Hoover drive the story, the humor, and the emotional core. This is a great female-led movie that doesn’t just celebrate women, it lets them be chaotic, funny, and complex in all the best ways.

Seeing Scout Taylor-Compton pop up in “Dead Giveaway” was a true treat. Horror fans like me know her best from Rob Zombie’s “Halloween” movies, where she brought intensity and heart to Laurie Strode. Here, she flips expectations completely, flexing her comedic muscles with ease. Taylor-Compton’s scenes are sprinkled with that same confident energy we have seen in her more serious roles, but this time she gets to have fun with it. Watching a scream queen handle comedy this naturally is a genuine delight, and it gives the movie a little extra wink to horror fans who have followed her career.

Courtesy of VP Independent

Writer-director Ian Kimble deserves serious credit for the balancing act he pulls off here. Mixing horror and comedy is one of the hardest things to do in filmmaking, but he makes it look effortless. Every scene feels carefully orchestrated yet totally unhinged, a combination that works beautifully. The editing is tight, the humor smart, and the energy infectious.

Kimble’s dialogue is sharp, witty, and often quotable. It is the kind of writing that invites rewatching just to catch the jokes you missed the first time. He crafts a world that’s both horrific and hilarious, a space where panic and laughter coexist perfectly. His direction captures the absurdity of the situation without ever losing sight of character or tone. That’s what makes “Dead Giveaway” so impressive. It’s chaotic, but it’s chaos with purpose.

There’s a real sense of style here, too. Kimble blends indie sensibilities with mainstream flair, echoing films like “Game Night” and “Ready or Not” without ever feeling derivative. It’s fast-paced, unpredictable, and filled with creative visual touches that make even the bloodiest scenes fun to watch.

Courtesy of VP Independent

One of the things I loved most about “Dead Giveaway” is how it takes the familiar structure of a “who done it” and turns it completely on its head. Instead of a detective or team of investigators, we get two hungover women desperately trying to piece together what the hell happened the night before, all while tripping over their own lies and bad decisions. It’s part mystery, part meltdown, and entirely entertaining.

The tone is a perfect cocktail of tension and absurdity. One minute I was laughing at Jill being told that Googling “how to hide a body” is a stupid mistake she shouldn’t do, and the next I was gripping my seat as things took a darker turn. Kimble uses that unpredictability to keep the audience hooked, making sure we never quite know whether to laugh, scream, or both. It’s a tricky tonal balance, but it pays off beautifully. Not to mention how gruesome and hilarious some of the cutaways are of the crazy ideas the characters have throughout the entire movie.

Watching “Dead Giveaway” reminded me why I’ll always champion independent horror. There’s an honesty and a freedom in indie horror filmmaking that big studios can’t always capture. These movies feel personal, passionate, and alive simply because they are created by people who love horror as much as the fans who watch it. Ian Kimble’s movie is a perfect example of that spirit. It’s fearless, funny, and bursting with creativity.

Courtesy of VP Independent

Indie horror has this magical ability to reach horror fans on a deeper level. It reminds us that the genre doesn’t have to rely on spectacle, it just needs vision and heart. When a movie like “Dead Giveaway” comes along, it doesn’t just entertain; it reenergizes the community. It’s the kind of movie that makes you want to text your horror-loving friends immediately and say, “You need to see this.”

“Dead Giveaway” is everything I want from a modern horror-comedy. It is fast, funny, and fearlessly original. Ruby Modine and Mikaela Hoover deliver career-best performances, their chemistry carrying the movie with wit and chaos. Scout Taylor-Compton’s appearance is a bonus gift for horror fans, proving she can conquer comedy as easily as she conquers killers. And Ian Kimble’s writing and direction? Sharp, smart, and gleefully twisted. This movie doesn’t just balance horror and humor; it embraces both with open arms. It’s the kind of film that makes you laugh one second and cover your eyes the next, all while wondering how something so absurd can feel so relatable.

I had an absolute blast watching it. “Dead Giveaway” proves that horror-comedy can still surprise us, still make us laugh until we cry, and still remind us why we love this genre so much. It’s clever, chaotic, and unapologetically entertaining, everything I want when I sit down for a good scare with a side of laughter.

Courtesy of VP Independent

When the movie becomes available in the near future, do yourself a favor and check it out. Just make sure you’ve eaten beforehand, because this adventure to get to brunch gets bloody. “Dead Giveaway” is a whip-smart, female-driven, hangover-from-hell masterpiece that proves indie horror still knows how to keep the genre alive, laughing, and screaming. If you ask my opinion (which I assume if you’re reading this you just might), it is a five-star movie that was enjoyable from start to finish. If you’re a fan of horror-comedies that aren’t afraid to get messy, the kind that make you laugh and cringe in the same breath, this one’s for you. When it drops, add it straight to your must-watch list.

Whether it’s slashers in the woods, ghosts in the attic, or killers in the cornfield, ILHM Reviews brings you the frightful horror flick recommendations worth watching. Follow us on Instagram, be sure to listen to the the "I Love Horror" podcast and remember that if you’re a true fan of horror, every night can be a FRIGHT NIGHT!