Is Life After Life Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1981)

📖 The Core Premise

Life After Life returns to the screen in 1981, bringing a fresh narrative to the Horror genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "When a man is hired to enhance a fashion show, he decides to go to a puppeteer and use Chinese puppets as accents to the models and the clothes. His interest in the show becomes a personal one when he meets one of the models and romance blossoms. An old woman loans him her antique puppets on the condition that he not keep them in the house with him, or grave misfortunes will result. As one might expect, he ignores the warning and then starts to experience a few accidents and unusual occurrences - including being knocked out by what he thought was a puppet, and seeing flashes of a murder while he was unconscious."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Unfortunately, George Lam Tsz-Cheung feels underutilized in a role that lacks depth. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Horror. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Life After Life worth your time? If you appreciate Horror films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Life After Life misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 88 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.