The Death of Dick Long Dares to Laugh at a Messy Death

There’s a secret within the hide-the-body plot of The Death of Dick Long that’s as shocking as it is absurd. I dare not reveal the twist in this review, only because that moment of truth is so surreal to process. Even before this scene, there are many moments that will make the audience question how we should react to such an offbeat small-town thriller: do we embrace the earnest frustration of the situation with real drama or do we laugh at the cavalcade of mistakes from bumbling men? It’s this strange feeling that makes the film so oddly alluring.

Zeke (Michael Abbott Jr.) and Earl (Andre Hyland) decide how to handle the evidence. Image Courtesy of A24

Zeke Olsen (Michael Abbott Jr.) and Earl Wyeth (Andre Hyland) have just dumped the dead body of Dick Long in front of a hospital. They’re trying to cover up evidence and proceed with their lives; Earl goes back to work, and Zeke gets his daughter ready for school. The two are not that smart, however, when it comes to keeping a secret. We get some hints of this in the opening, which sees them drunkenly partying late at night, but it’s made more evident in the handling of the evidence. They simply do not know how to properly handle disposing of wallets and bloody clothes, and that ignorance is going to cost them.

Such a setup might make this film sound like a straightforward dark comedy, but the laughs never come easy. There’s no silly music, slapstick, or goofy dialogue involved when they try to figure out the best washing-machine setting to get out blood. Many scenes seem like they’re set up for silly tension, as when Zeke stumbles and fumbles around a cop, trying not to make it seem obvious that he’s covering up a death. But there’s no tense music, no goofy expressions; just an attempt to seem innocent, walking a fine line between hilarity and drama.

Late-night partying. Image Courtesy of A24

There’s an easy comparison to be made in that this type of atmosphere is akin to that of Fargo, here with Southern flavor—and the similarity seems even more obvious with the addition of the curiously optimistic Officer Dudley (Sarah Baker). Whereas the other characters are either frustrated victims or bumbling misfits, Dudley is a wholesome hero, taking care with the case and being reasonably shocked about the truth she discovers, and Baker gives the character a relatable awkwardness and an enduring spirit. She speaks with the aged and weary Sheriff Spenser (Janelle Cochrane) in a cooperative manner with a hint of caution, somewhat reluctantly accepting a drink from Spenser during a part of the case when they could really use one. During an interrogation where it’s pretty clear someone is going to crack, Dudley never pushes the questioning too far—and she doesn’t have to, as we can see the dam bursting.

This film’s director is Daniel Scheinert of Swiss Army Man fame, and that should tell you a lot about what you’re in store for. The Death of Dick Long is an absurd mystery, yes, but also one that never winks at the camera. There’s rarely a moment when anyone can have a laugh at the situation because it’s rather dark when you’re engaged directly with the characters. While we see Zeke as a man making stupid mistakes, we also see him as a devoted dad and someone easily angered with himself. This doesn’t exactly make him a person we want to see get away with his actions, but there is at least a sense of relatable humanity within him. It also gives him a lot to lose, so that if the truth comes out, he’ll fall hard. So hard, in fact, I was surprised how somber this strange picture became. But again, that’s kind of the way Scheinert directs: by presenting an absurd scenario with a deeply dramatic tone.

Officer Dudley (Sarah Baker) on the job. Image Courtesy of A24

The Death of Dick Long locks you within its criminal case, which, for being so weird, feels surprisingly real. There’s a moment when Sheriff Spenser mentions to Officer Dudley that this is the second time such a case has cropped up in their county. Dudley is initially surprised until Spenser informs her that she’s joking. The joke itself is a bit of a surprise because as odd as this plot sounds, it takes place within an environment so grounded we could believe it’s a common occurrence. Come into this picture as cold as you can, and you’ll be surprised trying to figure out just how to process it.