From the moment the trailer dropped, Dead Talents Society had audiences buzzing—not just for its Tim Burton-esque visuals, but for its wicked premise: a group of deceased artists haunting a forgotten high school theater to continue their craft from beyond the grave. Released on Netflix in late March 2025, this offbeat horror-comedy quickly found cult status among fans of quirky gothic cinema.
But does it live up to the hype? Is it really the spiritual successor to Beetlejuice? Or is it simply another stylish misfire?
Let’s dig up the details.
The Premise: Fame Never Dies
Set in the fictional Rustwood Academy, the film follows Marla Chen (Jenna Ortega), a moody and misunderstood drama student who discovers an abandoned auditorium—and a portal to the afterlife hidden beneath it. There, she encounters a spectral troupe of once-famous artists—actors, dancers, playwrights—known as the “Dead Talents Society.”
“We weren’t unfinished. We were just... unappreciated.”
— Reginald Grimm, ghost playwright (played by Michael Sheen)
Bound by regret and eternal stage fright, these ghosts begin coaching Marla for a school performance that could resurrect their legacy.
Performances & Characters: Campy Meets Heartfelt
The cast embraces the script’s macabre humor and absurdity. Jenna Ortega brings dry wit and emotional nuance to Marla, while Michael Sheen is a show-stealer as Reginald, delivering Shakespearean tantrums and ghostly monologues.
[Notable Characters]
Marla (Jenna Ortega): Deadpan teen with a secret gift for stagecraft.
Reginald Grimm (Michael Sheen): Theatrical ghost with ego issues.
Vee (Auliʻi Cravalho): A ghost ballerina who never got to dance her solo.
Coach Farley (Jack Black): Living gym teacher accidentally possessed by a dead mime.
In Color: Costume design is a visual feast—earth-toned living characters contrast against the rich jewel hues of the ghostly realm (purples, emeralds, blood red). It’s no coincidence the undead look more alive than the living.
Style & Direction: Burton Vibes Without the Burton
Director Inez Holt, known for indie darling Rookwood Hollow, channels gothic whimsy and theatrical surrealism. Sets feel handmade, with exaggerated angles and pastel decay. There’s an undeniable Tim Burton influence, but the film never feels derivative.
“It’s less Beetlejuice, more Beetlejuice-meets-Glee-if-directed-by-Wes-Anderson.”
— Letterboxd User Review
The musical score, composed by Thomas Newman, blends harpsichords with synth-pop, echoing the theme of bridging life and death, tradition and rebellion.
Themes: Legacy, Art, and Afterlife Anxiety
At its heart, Dead Talents Society is about artists fearing obscurity more than death. The ghosts aren’t vengeful—they’re insecure. They worry their work never mattered.
“We haunt not because we’re angry—but because we’re unfinished drafts.”
— Reginald Grimm
Subplots explore:
Imposter syndrome (even in death).
Creative burnout.
Generational gaps in artistic expression.
These themes hit harder than expected and elevate the film beyond its campy surface.
Humor & Horror: Balancing the Tone
The horror elements are playful—not terrifying. Think possessed props, ghost auditions, and a haunted typewriter that writes better dialogue than most screenwriters.
[Audience Favorite Scenes]
A tap-dancing séance.
Reginald monologuing to a group of confused freshmen.
Marla’s final performance: half-possessed, half-brilliant.
While most of the film leans into satire, there are moments of emotional resonance—especially in the second act, when Vee finally performs the solo she died rehearsing.
Ending Explained: Curtain Call or Cliffhanger?
The film ends with Marla getting accepted into a top drama conservatory—but she declines, choosing instead to renovate the Rustwood auditorium and host a living-dead community theater.
The final shot? Marla, surrounded by ghosts, taking a bow to an empty house—until one light flickers on. A metaphor? Or a sequel tease?
“Art isn’t for the living or the dead. It’s for anyone still listening.”
— Marla, final line
Reception: Mixed to Glowing
Critics loved the originality but felt the plot meandered. Audiences, especially younger viewers and theater kids, adored it.
“A love letter to failed auditions, unfinished scripts, and the ghosts of artistic ambition.”
— Collider
“Too quirky for its own good.”
— Empire Magazine
Stream It or Skip It?
✅ Stream it if:
You loved Beetlejuice, Corpse Bride, or Matilda the Musical.
You’re a sucker for art-about-art.
You want horror that makes you laugh and cry.
⛔ Skip it if:
You’re allergic to theatricality.
You hate musicals or camp.
You’re expecting traditional horror scares.
Final Bow
Dead Talents Society might not be perfect—but it’s brave, bizarre, and full of soul (pun intended). It celebrates the weird, the forgotten, and the creatively restless. It’s a haunting reminder that sometimes the only thing scarier than death... is dying with your best work unseen.
Streaming Now on:
Netflix (Worldwide)
