Daniel (Joel David Moore) is a talented chef engaged to be married to his girlfriend Emily (Chantel Riley), yet he feels lonely and yearns to reconnect with his family and siblings. During a visit to the hospital, he talks to his father, Edward (Iggy Pop), about his feelings and his desire to be closer to his siblings. Disagreeing, Edward believes Daniel is unrealistic and that he is better off focusing on starting his own family.
However, his father heard Daniel’s desires, and his will goes through a few last-minute changes. On his death, the family learn that Edward has left everything to Daniel, including his large sum of money and property. Given Daniel’s desire, Edward also outlined a clause that offered an inheritance to Daniel’s fellow siblings Mia (Mary Lynn Rajskub), Victor (Jason Jones) & Jessica (Carly Chaikin). If the family can come together and spend quality time at their father’s luxury resort, Edward’s wealth will also be divided among the siblings and Daniel. However, there are rules and terms. If one family member doesn’t show up or doesn’t spend the dictated quality time together, the deal is off. Edward’s friend and long-term lawyer, Lawrence (Bob Saget), will also attend the family retreat and make sure Edward’s terms and conditions are met. Can Daniel and his family reunite peacefully? Well, sadly, the answer is no. It’s not long until Mia, Victor, and Jessica scheme and hatch a plan to kill Daniel so that they can receive the inheritance. This will be a family retreat unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
Daniel’s Gotta Die is a comedy film with elements of mystery. The comedy is often wacky and silly, featuring random one-liners and childish, slapstick gags. Interestingly, the film incorporates a mystery aspect, including which family members are secretly plotting against Daniel and the ultimate question: will Daniel survive this disastrous family retreat. The film is directed by Jeremy LaLonde, known for his previous work on James vs His Future Self (2019), Ashgrove (2022), and other projects.
While I found many jokes in the film somewhat silly, some moments, especially the unexpected or harsh one-liners directed at other characters, made me chuckle. I also enjoyed Iggy Pop’s brief appearance, which added a humorous touch to the film’s opening. I appreciated the film’s concept and setup, and the plot kept me engaged. I was invested in discovering who would survive when the credits rolled. However, Daniel’s Gotta Die has one major issue: its runtime is far too long for what it is. By the time the film reaches its short third act, it feels much longer than it is. The film also becomes increasingly dull; it drags on and struggles to reach its conclusion, leading to moments of boredom. Additionally, several plot points are predictable before they occur within the finale. This film could have achieved much better results with a tighter finale and a shorter runtime.
Overall, Daniel’s Gotta Die is a wacky comedy with a fun and playful premise that evokes the feel of early 90s films. While harsh one-liners and certain situations are nearly impossible not to laugh at, some moments come across as childish and dim-witted. The film’s introduction and setup were engaging enough to keep me interested in how the crazy plot would unfold. The performances by Iggy Pop and the late Bob Saget were the standout highlights of the film.
Daniel’s Gotta Die (2022) will be available in Australia on Digital from April 16th!
FILM SCORE: 6.1/10
Published: 14th April 2025
Written by: Peter Walkden
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