The Dead Thing (2025) Movie: Everything we know About the Haunting new Erotic Thriller 

Shudder has officially acquired The Dead Thing, bringing a chilling new thriller to horror fans. This eerie and provocative film explores the dark side of modern dating, turning a romantic connection into a terrifying obsession. With its unique blend of psychological tension and supernatural horror, it's already generating buzz as a must-watch.

Directed by Elric Kane in his solo feature debut, The Dead Thing is set to make its highly anticipated streaming debut on Shudder. The newly released trailer offers a glimpse into its unsettling narrative, teasing a story where love and danger collide in unexpected ways. Just in time for a certain romantic holiday, this film promises to deliver both passion and fear in equal measure.

Want to know what makes The Dead Thing so intriguing? From its haunting premise to the creative team behind it, there's plenty to uncover. Keep reading for all the details—and check back for the latest updates as we learn more.

Release date & Where to Watch

The Dead Thing begins streaming on Shudder on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, after making its world premiere at the 2024 Fantasia International Film Festival.

What is the plot of The Dead Thing?

Alex is trapped in a cycle of fleeting connections and unsatisfying encounters, using the dating app Friktion to navigate Los Angeles’ detached hookup culture. When she meets Kyle, a charismatic barista who seems to understand her in a way no one else does, she is drawn to him instantly. 

Their passionate night together leaves her wanting more, but by morning, Kyle has vanished without a trace. Determined to find him, Alex embarks on a search that leads her down a disturbing path.

As she digs deeper, she uncovers unsettling truths about Kyle’s existence. Her encounters with him grow increasingly strange—each meeting feels eerily familiar- as if she’s living the same moments over and over. The more she investigates, the more she realizes that Kyle’s disappearance isn’t just about modern dating habits; something supernatural is at play.

What begins as a romantic obsession spirals into a dark and twisted reality. Alex becomes entangled in a mystery that defies logic, uncovering a horrifying secret that binds her to Kyle in ways she never expected. As the lines between passion and fear blur, she is forced to confront the terrifying truth about the man she can’t let go of.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Yellow Veil Pictures (@yellowveilpictures)

Who’s Starring in The Dead Thing?

• Blu Hunt (The Originals, Another Life, The New Mutants) as Alex
• Ben Smith-Petersen (Suicide Squad, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga) as Kyle
• Joey Millin as Mark
• Emily Joy Lemus as Barista
• Josh Marble as Danny
• Brennan Mejia as Paul
• Sally Sum as Date Girl
• Aerial Washington as Sarah
• Katherine Hughes
• John Karna

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shudder (@shudder)

Is There a Trailer for The Dead Thing?

In the official trailer for The Dead Thing, we meet Alex, who laments, "You ever feel like there's just no escape? It's the same day after day after day." Her monotonous routine takes a turn when she connects with Kyle, through a dating app. 

Their initial encounter is filled with passion, but the next morning, Kyle vanishes without a trace. Determined to understand his sudden disappearance, Alex confronts him, only for Kyle to respond, "I'm sorry. Have we met?" This denial leaves Alex bewildered and questioning her reality.

As Alex delves deeper into the mystery, she discovers unsettling sketches and experiences disorienting time lapses. In one scene, a friend remarks, "It's been nine days," to which a confused Alex replies, "What?" 

The trailer intensifies with haunting visuals and a recurring, eerie line from Kyle: "We don't really need to talk, do we?" The suspense builds, hinting at a narrative that intertwines obsession, supernatural elements, and the dark side of modern dating.

The trailer concludes with rapid cuts of Alex's escalating distress, culminating in her desperate plea, "Stay away from me!" The haunting atmosphere and psychological tension set the stage for a chilling exploration of love and reality.

Behind the Scenes

The Dead Thing is directed by Elric Kane, who co-wrote the script with Webb Wilcoxen. The film marks Kane’s feature debut, following his work on the podcasts Pure Cinema and Colors of the Dark. Produced by Matt Mercer and Monte Yazzie, the movie was backed by Yellow Veil Pictures and Rubric Pictures, with Rebekah McKendry serving as executive producer.

Yellow Veil Pictures boarded worldwide sales in May 2024, and the film later secured distribution with Shudder. “I’ve been a Shudder subscriber since almost Day One and preaching about it on podcasts for just as long, so it’s a thrill to know our film is in such great hands,” Kane said.  (via Variety)

Shudder’s VP of programming, Samuel Zimmerman, praised the film’s unsettling atmosphere, stating, “With the perceptive and eerie The Dead Thing, Elric Kane, who has dedicated so much to the genre already, makes a terrific leap into horror filmmaking. We’re thrilled to be its home.”