This post is part of my movie-a-day challenge in which I will watch a film every day for 365 days. Today is Day 202! You can see all the posts for this challenge HERE. To see the original Movie-a-Day Challenge post, click HERE.
Hey friends!
Just finished watching “Darby and the Dead,” and let me tell you, it was a surprising little gem! I gotta admit, I was craving something lighthearted after a marathon of super serious and intense films. And let’s be real, anything with a ghost in it is right up my alley. 👻
The movie follows Darby Harper (played by the amazing Riele Downs), a high school student who has the unique ability to see and communicate with the dead. 😱 Pretty wild, right? After suffering a near-death experience as a child, Darby gains this power and starts using it to help the deceased with their unfinished business. It’s like she’s a supernatural therapist, which is both cool and kind of heavy for a high schooler. It’s not easy being a teenage ghost whisperer! 🙌
The plot kicks into high gear when the most popular girl in school, Capri (played by Auli’i Cravalho), dies in a freak hair straightening accident (yeah, you read that right) and becomes one of Darby’s ghostly clients. Capri’s not exactly thrilled about being dead, and she enlists Darby’s help to navigate her afterlife, which involves tying up some high school drama and unfinished business with her friends.
Capri, being the Queen Bee that she was, tasks Darby with making sure her “Sweet 17” party goes off without a hitch. And let me tell you, the shenanigans that ensue are hilarious and heartwarming at the same time. 😂💖 Darby has to juggle her ghostly responsibilities with her own personal life, and it’s a journey filled with laughter, tears, and a whole lot of heart.
One thing that stood out to me was how disturbingly real some of the high school dynamics felt. Even with the ghostly twist, the movie didn’t shy away from the brutal honesty of teenage life—bullying, peer pressure, and the struggle to fit in. It was a bit jarring at times, but it added depth to what could have been just a fluffy ghost story.
Riele Downs was perfect as Darby—she had this dry, sarcastic humor that made her super relatable. And Auli’i Cravalho was brilliant as Capri, managing to be both endearing and infuriatingly diva-like. Their chemistry was on point and made the movie really enjoyable to watch.
What I loved most about “Darby and the Dead” is how it tackles themes of friendship, self-discovery, and the importance of living life to the fullest. It reminds us that even though we may feel invisible at times, we all have the power to make a difference in the world and in the lives of those around us. 💪
So, if you’re looking for something fun, a bit spooky, and full of heart, I highly recommend giving “Darby and the Dead” a watch. It’s a delightful mix of ghostly antics and teenage drama, with just enough twists to keep you hooked.
Peace out,
Roger
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