Last to Die (2025) Review: A Passable, Late-Night Fright Flick!

Andrew Crittenden’s Last to Die blends horror and suspense against the eerie backdrop of Colombia, where folklore and fear collide in chilling ways. With a runtime of 102 minutes, the film explores how grief, superstition, and survival intertwine when a group of young women find themselves stranded in a ghostly town haunted by a malevolent force. Starring Gley Viera, Liseth Bitar, and Nathalie Rangel, the film leans into both supernatural terror and psychological tension.

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The story follows Sam (Gley Viera), who returns to her childhood home in Villa Eterna after the tragic loss of her parents years earlier. Hoping to reclaim the house and perhaps confront her past, she embarks on this journey accompanied by her best friend Kiara and three other friends. What begins as a road trip of support and camaraderie quickly shifts into a nightmare. The village they arrive at seems abandoned, its silence hiding the sinister truth: locals have struck a pact with a demon that dwells in the depths of a nearby lake. Sam’s instinct to save a young boy from becoming the creature’s next victim unleashes a relentless cycle of horror. Isolated with no fuel, no power, and no escape, the women must face the wrath of the “Spirit of the Lake” as it hunts them down one by one.

One of the film’s strengths lies in its performances. The ensemble cast of five women delivers a convincing portrayal of fear, loyalty, and panic in the face of danger. Leading them is Gley Viera, who proves to be a magnetic screen presence. She captures both Sam’s vulnerability and her inner strength, grounding the film’s supernatural premise with a believable emotional core. Liseth Bitar, Nathalie Rangel, and the rest of the supporting cast contribute equally well, ensuring that the group dynamic feels authentic and engaging.

The setup of Last to Die is one of its more engaging aspects. The first forty minutes are solid, building intrigue around the abandoned pueblo and its unsettling silence. The choice of filming location works particularly well, as the town itself becomes a character—haunting, mysterious, and layered with unspoken history. That eerie emptiness adds to the atmosphere, drawing the viewer into a sense of dread before the real danger unfolds.

However, once the supernatural elements take over and the action ramps up, the film begins to falter. The tension that should be gripping instead feels diluted, and the scares don’t land with the intended impact. Dialogue often slips into the generic, reducing what could have been moments of sharp character interplay. The visual presentation also struggles, with a color palette that feels more distracting than atmospheric. Combined with a runtime that stretches the story thin, the climax unfortunately leans into predictable territory rather than delivering a memorable payoff.

Still, the film embraces its B-horror movie identity. There’s an undeniable charm in its campy energy, and for viewers who enjoy a straightforward, no-frills horror thriller, it offers enough entertainment to justify the ride. The creature design, the rural folklore angle, and the simplicity of the “who will survive” setup will resonate with audiences looking for a mindless yet spirited scare session.

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In conclusion, Last to Die is far from a perfect horror entry, but it finds its niche by leaning into the pulpy thrills of the genre. The strong performances, especially from Gley Viera, and the atmospheric opening act provide a compelling foundation, even if the film loses steam in its later moments. It may not reinvent horror, but approached with the right expectations, it serves as a passable, late-night fright flick that will satisfy fans of indie supernatural thrillers.

‘Last to Die (2025)’ Rating – 2.75/5