“How could I not love her? She’s my mother. But she’s Greek…”

Story: Ella has spent all of her 26 years close to her overprotective mother Despina. But when Despina suddenly passes away? Ella is at a loss…until her mom returns from the grave to be a neurotic angel on her shoulder. Just in time to give unsolicited advice – and be the third wheel – during Ella’s reunion with her childhood BFF, Nick. Opa?

Genre I’d put it in: Comedies That Could Be Horror Stories For My Family
Release Date: 2025 (Video On-Demand beginning 5/9/2025)
Remake, Sequel, Based-On, or Original: Original, but if you have any Greek relatives? You’ll be hearing the choppers.

Gotta say: Oh, my Greek people. This isn’t a movie. It’s a PSYOP for anyone who’s dealt with a first-generation, overbearing mom. While Die can be enjoyed by everyone who’s mom’s love was both stifling and comforting, folks with Greek heritage will start to look around their houses for cameras and recording equipment. It’s as if writer/director/Despina actress Rachel Suissa plucked scenes wholesale from our brains and put them on screen.

Suissa obviously did her research, and lived many of the sweet and funny moments she puts on screen. There’s a scene where Nick’s mom grills Ella about how to make a tomato and cucumber salad. “What kind of feta?” I automatically answered – and then both Ella and her mom give the same answer. It’s this kind of lived-experience feeling that permeates Die, and will make anyone who’s had similar experiences feel at home. The cast is filled with relative newcomers that give a realistic vibe to the film. As Ella’s BFF Heather, Sophia Sutton plays the crazy friend with a touch of gentleness that others may not have provided. You can see that she’s an absolute trip, yet also understand why Ella is her friend.

Ditto for James Pearthree’s Tod, the laid-back camera guy who just wants to figure out how to save his school project…when he’s already spent all the money they’d given him. (I met someone just like this back when I was in grad school. Hope you’re well, Amberly!) As the leads, Abby Miner and Simon Rérolle have a sweet chemistry as Ella and Nick. Though Nick fights that chemistry every step of the way. Both have sworn off the idea of marriage or even relationships, but Abby clues in a whole lot sooner than Nick does. That makes Nick feel like a bit of a tool for a while, with Rérolle playing the cool, too-collected schmuck a bit too well. Stick a pin in that, I’ll come back to it.

The cinematography and art direction is well done, considering the lower budget this film undoubtedly has. Primarily filmed on Amelia Island, Florida, there’s enough gorgeous beach and waterfront vistas that’ll make you wish you were there. I don’t know the exact budget for this film, but boy every single cent is right on screen, and I was impressed by the excellent cinematography. Gravitas Ventures is a studio I know and adore from films like Slotherhouse, and if you’re thinking it sounds like this studio is all over the place, yes. Yes it is. And it’s glorious. I love a studio that’ll take chances, and Gravitas definitely gives creators a chance many wouldn’t otherwise have. I’m glad Die exists.

Today’s quibble? The music supervision. Abby Miner has a lovely voice, but in Die, she tends toward singing flat. She’s either been doing one too many takes, or the music and/or sound folks didn’t notice, or didn’t allow her proper time to exercise beforehand. Don’t get me wrong; I’m no Celine Dion myself. But these musical moments pulled me out of the story, as all I could think about was how I wish she’d match pitch with the instruments backing her up.

The last half hour is a bit of a mess, as a twist is added that sheds light on the story, while steering the film into a more serious tone than the lighthearted, comedic romp we’d been getting. It’s uncomfortable and out of place with the spirit of the film up until this point. And it gives the HEA a bit of a shadow, as if it only really occurred because of this sudden introduction of pathos. (It doesn’t help that Nick doesn’t seem to truly have a character arc, but more of a character 180.) And as game as Rérolle is, he just can’t bring to the screen a character shift that isn’t truly fleshed out. Til then, though? The mix of familial head-butting, comedic schadenfreude epicaricacy, and a touch of Greek mythology makes this kinda overlong film a lot of fun for a lot of the time. (Though two hours and five minutes is a bit overlong for a light comedy, which is probably why the last half hour feels so muddled. Coulda ended just before the “six months later” jump with a sweet happily ever after kiss.)

So Ms. Suissa? Thanks for the memories I got to re-visit thanks to Die. To be a tacky reviewer that uses hack quotes everybody and their cousin has used? I laughed, I cried, I wanted baklava. Die is a fun film to put on for this Mother’s Day weekend. Now, if anyone needs me, I’ll be huddled with my sisters and nieces, talking about everything “YiaYia” used to do back in the day.

#Protip: Yes, Dodoni feta is the absolute best. Ask my aunts in Greece, who taught me this. Or just buy some and try it yourself. No, this is not sponsored. I just love their cheese that much, I had to share some cheese truth with you.