Sundance Revew: David Schwimmer’s LITTLE DEATH is a dark comedy that starts strong and then loses its way

Little Death is the debut film of acclaimed music video director Jack Begert, co-written with Dani Goffstein. This dark comedy takes a cross-eyed yet sensitive look at the dreams and disappointments of Hollywood, offering a unique perspective on midlife identity crises, opioid addiction, and the search for meaning in the bustling chaos of Los Angeles.

The cast of the film is led by David Schwimmer AND Jena Maloneand they are united by Talia Ryder, Domenico Fike, Gaby HoffmannAND Karl Glusmann.

Little Death is described as “a dark comedy about a screenwriter’s (Schwimmer) midlife identity crisis and a crime drama about a pair of taco truck entrepreneurs (Ryder and Fike) looking for their next opioid fix. In true Los Angeles fashion, these characters collide at a tragicomic crossroads, and the film shifts gears from biting showbiz satire to an introspective hangout atmosphere. Throughout the film, Little Death remains deeply attuned to the inner lives of its restless dreamers, examining their efforts to find meaning and connection as they struggle against the fickleness of fate and the illusion of free will.

The first half of the film introduces us to the character of Schwimmer, a screenwriter going through a mid-life identity crisis. This is where the film really shines, offering viewers intelligent and witty dialogue peppered with social commentary. The film skillfully delves into the challenges faced by the protagonist as he tries to produce his screenplay, including the studio’s request to change the main character’s gender. The thing is, the script is based on his life experiences and he doesn’t see how this change would work.

A memorable highlight in this part of the film is the hilarious attempt to transform the male protagonist into a female character while retaining the same life experiences. Schwimmer’s character’s journey, now as a woman, unfolds with entertaining results. This segment shows the film’s potential for inventive storytelling and social satire.

However, Little Death takes an unexpected turn in the second half, which left me confused and detached. The narrative shift completely changes the story and introduces a new cast of characters, deviating from the path laid out at the beginning. This sudden transition was disorienting and took me out of the film because I was completely invested in the initial story.

While the second half of the film has its moments, including some entertaining characters, it struggles to maintain the same level of engagement established in the first half. The decision to discard one storyline in favor of another may leave some viewers feeling disconnected and disappointed. I just didn’t like that they ripped off one story for another.

Little Death certainly has its merits, including intelligent social commentary, witty dialogue, and creative storytelling. However, its big twist with the narrative shift in the second half may not meet with everyone’s approval, potentially alienating those who were deeply invested in the initial story. Despite its unique approach and strong ensemble cast, the film fails to reach its full potential. But maybe some of you will like the movie and the way it plays out.