Dead Trigger is a 2017 American science fiction action horror film directed by Mike Cuff and Scott Windhauser, who were also both writers with Heinz Treschnitzer. The film is based on the mobile game of the same name. The film stars Dolph Lundgren, Autumn Reeser, Brooke Johnston, Chris Galya, Romeo Miller and Isaiah Washington.
| Dead Trigger | |
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 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by |
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| Written by |
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| Based on | Dead Trigger by Madfinger Games |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Jonathan Hall |
| Edited by | Simon Van Gelder |
| Music by | Stephen Edwards |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Saban Films |
Release dates |
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Running time | 91 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The film was released in a limited release and through video on demand in the United States on May 3, 2019, by Saban Films,[2] and was widely panned by critics.[3]
Plot
editAfter failing to stop a virus turning people into bloodthirsty zombies, the government develops a video game to recruit the most talented players to combat the real-life horde. Led by Captain Kyle Walker, the team must fight through an army of the undead to locate a group of scientists that may have developed a cure for the virus.
Cast
edit- Dolph Lundgren as Captain Kyle Walker[4]
- Autumn Reeser as Tara Conlan[5]
- Brooke Johnston as Lieutenant Marchetti[5]
- Chris Galya as Chris Northon[4]
- Romeo Miller as Gerald "G-Dog" Jefferson[5]
- Isaiah Washington as Rockstock[5]
- Oleg Taktarov as Lieutenant Martinov
- Justin Chon as Daniel Chen[4]
- Natali Yura as Naomi Shika
- Luciana Carro as Samantha Atkins
- Joel Gretsch as General Conlan
- James Chalke as Father Julian
- Jeff Lam as Eric Green
- Bleona as Natalie
- Tamara Braun as Gloria Russo
- Brandon Beemer as CSU Agent Pierce
- Tony Messenger as CSU Agent Sawyer
- Seira Kagami as Lika
- Alyona Chekhova as Nika[4]
- Michael Kupisk as Zack[4]
- Keil Oakley Zepernick as Subject Zero
- Derek Boone as Lieutenant Krycek
Production
editWriter-director Mike Cuff secured the film rights to the game in 2015 and began filming a live-action adaptation starring Dolph Lundgren and Isaiah Washington in Mexico in May 2016.[6] Two days into filming Cuff left the production and Scott Windhauser, who had rewritten the screenplay with Dolph Lundgren, finished the film. Madfinger Games withdrew their support for the film, as the approved script was altered so radically. Cuff and Madfinger had no further participation in the film.
Release
editTheatrical
editDead Trigger first screened at the 2017 Moscow International Film Festival.[7] The film was released theatrically and video-on-demand on May 3, 2019, by Saban Films/Lionsgate.[5]
Reception
editCritical response
editBobby LePire of Film Threat gave the film four stars out of ten.[4] It has a 5% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.[8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Dead Trigger". British Board of Film Classification.
- ^ "Dead Trigger". firstshowing. 24 March 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
- ^ Rotten Tomatoes User reviews
- ^ a b c d e f LePire, Bobby (3 May 2019). "Dead Trigger". Film Threat. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Squires, John (26 March 2019). "[Trailer] Dolph Lundgren is Basically Playing Frank Castle Again in Zombie Movie 'Dead Trigger'". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
- ^ Robb, David (2016-12-23). "The Perils Of Filming In Mexico: Cartel Rumors & Missed Paydays Fuel Latest Production Shutdown". Deadline. Retrieved 2019-07-06.
- ^ "Dolph Lundgren stars the movie adaptation of the "Dead Trigger" video game". Ganiveta. November 7, 2017. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
- ^ "Dead Trigger Reviews". RottenTomatoes. Retrieved July 9, 2023.