Dead Lover Breathes Life @SXSW 2025

Dead Lover was a Canadian film out of Toronto that made waves at Sundance and SXSW despite ongoing tensions between the US and Canada; FERNTV met up with the cast at SXSW. Ben Petrie, Leah Doz, and Lowen Morrow (who plays multiple parts) star in the film, which was directed by lead actress Grace Glowicki. The actors discussed the unique collaboration and do-it-yourself mentality that permeated the whole production, from the sets to the costumes, in the interview. They gave us a glimpse into the making of Dead Lover and stressed the importance of manual labour and creativity in creating an engaging and aesthetically arresting story.

There was no way FERNTV could avoid comparing Dead Lover to cult classics like The Twentieth Century by Matthew Rankin and The Lair of the White Worm. Dead Lover has a strange, surreal tone and combines dark comedy with a visually impressive plot, which were similar to SCTV‘s sketches and Monty Python films. The infectious energy of the actors and the unconventional style of the film helped it stand out at SXSW. The underground, indie ethos of Dead Lover resonated with FERNTV because the film could juxtapose avant-garde visuals with an engaging tale. The do-it-yourself production elements only added to its allure, reflecting the unfiltered creativity that is sometimes missing in big-budget features. As Glowicki says, even getting together with filmmakers and like-minded people despite where they come from is like a “ritual”.

Dead Lover embraces a type of artistic expression and freedom not typically seen in mainstream movies, and the ensemble was delighted to talk about it. In particular, Glowicki addressed the challenge of making a film that seemed intimate and experimental despite logistical constraints. The success of Dead Lover at Sundance and SXSW is a testament to the creative vision and teamwork of the whole crew. Their tireless efforts and genuine passion for the film shone through. In an industry where commercially produced films tend to rule, FERNTV thought the film’s dedication to underground indie cinema was what made the film groundbreaking and organic. Dead Lover is like a breath of fresh air.