An irregular comedy which is compelling but not funny

Aubrey Plaza stars as Beth, a teenager killed by a snake bite during a nature hike.

Her parents and boyfriend Zach (Dane DeHann) are dealing with their grief when Beth unexpectedly returns days later with no recollection.

Beth soon starts to exhibit unusual behaviour which gradually becomes more erratic and volatile.

Life After Beth is an irregular film. The majority of the cast ham it up with the kind of acting you would expect in a comedy but it isn’t that kind of film at all. The film’s events from DeHann’s point of view portray something more akin to a psychological horror than a rom-com; he looks emotionally exhausted most of the time.

It’s like DeHann and the director were making a film with a cast taken from another genre.

Life After Beth doesn’t work as a comedy. There’s the occasional moment of farce implanted as if to remind the audience they’re watching one, but those are few and far between.

I didn’t laugh once, but was strangely compelled throughout.