Die Before You Die Cinema Review

4 star claustrophobic and effective thriller.

Die Before You Die is a 2024 British drama/thriller film, co-written by Ziad Abaza (K-shop, Under the Wire) who also stars and Dan Pringle (K-shop) who also directs.

It will be showing in select UK cinemas from 4th October 2024 and On Demand 28th October 2024, courtesy of Bulldog Film Distribution.

“At every moment and with each new breath, one should be renewed and renewed again. For there is only one way to be born into a new life, to die before you die.”

Adi (Ziad Abaza) is a brash and arrogant online influencer, committed to gaining subscribers and likes and relying on stunts and gimmicks to get attention, much to the annoyance of his long suffering girlfriend Amira (Priya Blackburn – Bohemian Rhapsody). While out celebrating the launch of his latest video with fellow influencer and best friend Maz (Mim Shaikh – Two Pigeons, What’s Love Got to do With It?), their paths cross with Lee (Harry Reid – Eastenders).

Lee tells them he is a big fan of the channel and has an idea for their next venture. He offers to put them in touch with a group he is involved with, who will bury you alive for three days to discover yourself. Unable to turn down an opportunity to show off, they agree. They are a little sceptical when they arrive and are greeted by a room full of Sufi Muslim elders, who only speak Arabic and are taking the whole thing very seriously, but Lee convinces them that all is well and off they go.

They are driven to an unknown location, where they are given a watch and a torch by the implacable Walid (Ghazwan Safadi) and assured that they will be given water each morning and dug up after three days. Things kick off when it is revealed they cannot take their phones, after all what is the point if there is no proof? But when they agree to video them going in Adi relents and gets into his hole. With only an air pipe to the surface and his daughters plastic toy for company, his mind begins to work overtime. Has he made the biggest mistake of his life?

“Have you ever thought about getting buried? I know a group who do it. It’s like an endurance challenge, see if you can last for three days, physically and mentally.”

Dir Before You Die is a very interesting film, far more compelling than I expected it to be and deeply atmospheric. The simple filming techniques emphasise the darkness and isolation and a stellar performance from Ziad Abaza really brings to life the deeply unlikeable character of Adi and his gradual descent into mental breakdown.

It has a few quite surprising twists and keeps you guessing right up until then end. It also serves as a cautionary tale when it comes to letting random strangers bury you alive in a field (although it’s to be hoped most people could work out for themselves that it’s a bad idea). A bold film which works really well and is well worth a trip to the cinema.

“You learn a lot about yourself when you’re stuck beneath the earth with no-one to talk to for three days.”