Don't Sweat the Dead

Director - Sean Donohue (Naked Cannibal Campers, Zed's Dead)

Starring - Sushii Xhyvette Holder (The Hart-Break Killer, The Cheerleader Sleepover Slaughter), Indica Jane (Bratty Foot Girls, The Cheerleader Sleepover Slaughter), and Sean Donohue

Release Date - 2022

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

 

     Model and actress Sushii Xhyvette Holder has made a name for herself in the indie horror community over the last several years after appearing in the films Death-Scort Service 2 and 3.  This not only sparked a lasting relationship with indie production companies GatorBlade Films and The Sleaze Box, but it was a catalyst for Holder to continue acting in horror and fetish films.  Her imdb page already has several dozens of films under her name with another handful in pre and post production.  Earlier in the year director Sean Donohue announced a double feature starring Holder.  I'm a fan of both of them so I snagged a blu in hopes of catching some sleazy fun.  When I found the time to finally check them out I quickly tossed in the blu and hit play on Don't Sweat the Dead.

     The short follows Sushii as she takes viewers through her daily routine with each exercise corresponding with a different technique that can help you overcome or overpower the walking dead.  

     I was expecting Don't Sweat the Dead to be a parody of the horror inspired fitness videos that popped up in the late 80s and early 90s to cash in on horror fans who were gushing over their favorite scream queens.  Linnea Quigley's Horror Workout is the most popular one but by far not the only one.  We had Lisa Cook's Deadly Workouts and several more that I can't think of at the moment.  I was hoping that Don't Sweat the Dead would be a parody of these while delivering that sleazy quality that we've come to expect from GatorBlade Films.  Sadly, that was not the case.  Instead, it was a little too much like Suchii's Sex Seance without the fun.  The acting in this one was enjoyable for the most part.  The cast is extremely small in this segment but it was worth it.  Sushii never disappoints and her natural charisma and beauty makes her the center of attention regardless of the scene.  She's so natural in front of the camera and was fantastic as the instructor.  I also enjoyed watching director Sean Donohue ham it up in his death scenes.  It was funny for the most part but I was really looking forward to a little more from these death scenes.  The story for this one is simple and straight to the point but it doesn't really work for me.  Watching two gorgeous women workout as they slowly undress and kill the undead.  It could have been something pretty fun and memorable if it would have explored the undead portion more than it did but watching them workout and a quick death scene was a bit dull to me.  Finally, the film has some blood and some pretty funny S.O.V. inspired effects but the way the film was shot you don't really get to enjoy these cheap and cheesy deaths.  The selling point of this one is boobs over blood.  Overall, Don't Sweat the Dead is not for me which is a bummer because I'm a huge fan of GatorBlade.  I wanted to love this one but you can't knock em out of the park every time.