What happens when the world gets so healthy that nobody dies? That's the twisted premise of Back in Black, a jet-black dramedy that premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film stars Oscar-winner Christopher Walken as Clyde, a small-town funeral director whose business is drying up thanks to a surge in wellness trends—think juicing, meditation, and the like. When everyone refuses to kick the bucket, Clyde's devoted granddaughter Sam (Ella Ballentine) comes up with a solution that puts the Mortimer Family Funeral Home back on the map—though it's not exactly legal.
Directed by Ron Murphy (Dark Matter), the film also features Jane Curtin, Josh Richards (Dream Scenario), and Cooper Levy. At TIFF, Murphy, Ballentine, and Richards sat down with Collider to talk about the film's dark tone, its sympathetic characters, and what it was like working with a legend like Walken.
A Family Business in Crisis
At its core, Back in Black is about family and survival. Clyde is a grumpy but lovable patriarch who's watched his livelihood slip away. His granddaughter Sam is a quiet, observant young woman who takes matters into her own hands. Ballentine, known for her role in Anne of Green Gables, says the script immediately drew her in. "It was so unique," she said. "I'd never read anything like it. The balance of dark humor and heart was perfect."
Richards, who plays a key role in the family drama, echoed that sentiment. "The script was just so well-written," he said. "It's one of those stories that makes you laugh and think at the same time."
Walken's Challenge
Murphy revealed that Walken initially challenged him on the script and his character. "He had a lot of questions," Murphy said. "He wanted to make sure Clyde was more than just a grumpy old man. He wanted to find the vulnerability." That collaboration paid off, resulting in a performance that's both hilarious and heartbreaking.
Ballentine shared what it was like working opposite Walken. "He's so generous," she said. "He gives you so much to react to. Every take is different, and you just have to stay on your toes."
Is Sam a Villain?
One of the film's most intriguing questions is whether Sam is a villain or a hero. Murphy addressed this directly. "We wanted to make her empathetic, not psychopathic," he said. "She's doing what she thinks is right for her family, even if it's morally questionable." Ballentine added, "Sam is a product of her environment. She sees her family struggling, and she can't just sit by."
The film's dark humor is balanced by its genuine emotional moments. Murphy noted that the editing process was crucial in getting that balance right. "We made a lot of changes in the edit," he said. "We wanted to make sure the tone was consistent, that it didn't veer too far into comedy or too far into drama."
From TV to Film
Murphy, who has a background in television, discussed the shift to feature filmmaking. "It's a different beast," he said. "You have more time to develop characters, but you also have to be more economical with your storytelling." He also touched on the challenges of making the film, from scheduling to budget constraints.
Richards, who is also known for his online content, talked about the differences between creating for social media and acting in a film. "The time commitment is huge," he said. "But it's so rewarding to be part of something that will last."
A Festival Darling
Back in Black has been a breakout hit at TIFF, drawing praise for its unique premise and strong performances. Fans of dark streaming series will likely find a lot to love here. The film doesn't yet have a release date, but with the buzz it's generating, it's sure to find a home soon.
For those who appreciate mind-bending anthologies or charming rom-coms, Back in Black offers something different—a darkly funny tale about family, mortality, and the lengths we'll go to for the ones we love.
