SXSW 2024: ‘We’re All Gonna Die’ Reviewed
by Gary Catig
Freddie Wong and Matt Arnold of RocketJump began their careers on YouTube developing shorts and web series. However, they set their sites even higher looking to break into film. At this year’s South by Southwest (SXSW), their first movie, We’re All Gonna Die, premiered.
The film is set in a near future where a mysterious alien “spike” appears in the sky and begins disrupting life on Earth. We meet Thalia (Rachel Burch) who is a beekeeper struggling to make ends meet, and Kai (Jordan Rodrigues) who is an EMT coping with the loss of a close friend. Their fates become intertwined when the “spike” transports some of their prized possessions to a different state. Together they road trip across the country to retrieve what they lost growing closer along the way.
It is an interesting take on the buddy road trip genre. The alien “spike” provides a different twist, and the filmmakers never hesitate to remind you of its presence. Though it could seem gimmicky, it creates a constant tension in the air to surprisingly keep things grounded amongst the comedic adventures. Later, it also serves as a vehicle to explore spiritual themes of loss and grief.
The strong performances from the two leads carry We’re All Gonna Die. Rodrigues is so affable as Kai. He comes off as the lovable meat head who wears his heart on his sleeve. Kai may not be the sharpest, but he is always good-intentioned. There is just a sweet innocence about him that you can’t stay mad at him.
On the other hand, Thalia has more layers to peel. It’s no surprise based off of her previous roles that Burch can pull off the comedic scenes. Her facial reactions are so emotive that they accentuate the absurdity of the situations. As her story unfolds, we find a tortured soul carrying a deep emotional weight. It’s a breath of fresh air to see Burch take on a role with a dramatic edge.
Together, Rodrigues and Burch make their characters a compelling pair that complement each other. It’s a joy to watch these two strangers mature as individuals and grow within their relationship. With each stop on their road trip of life is filled with fun shenanigans, intimate moments of vulnerability, and insights on life.
We’re All Gonna Die is a fun and entertaining road trip movie fueled by the strong performances of its two leads.