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Dead Mail: Everything you need to know About the Blood-Soaked, 80s-Set Horror-Thriller
A blood-soaked mystery is unraveling—and horror fans won’t want to miss a second of it. Dead Mail, the captivating new horror-thriller, has finally confirmed its long-anticipated debut with a haunting trailer that dropped alongside a retro poster. The eerie visuals and color-drenched 80s style tease a twisted descent into the unknown. And it’s all part of a larger genre celebration that’s thrilling fans around the globe.
Directed by genre newcomers Joe DeBoer and Kyle McConaghy, Dead Mail stars Sterling Macer Jr, John Fleck, and Tomas Boykin in what promises to be a bold, blood-splattered ride. After making waves on the festival circuit, the film is finally making its way to audiences everywhere—just in time to kick off a chilling seasonal celebration.
From key cast members to chilling trailer details and shocking twists—this guide reveals everything you need to know about Dead Mail. Don’t miss what’s next for this sinister thriller—we’re updating with new intel as it drops. Keep your flashlight handy, and get ready to dive into the darkness.
Release date & Where to Watch
Dead Mail begins streaming on Friday, April 18, 2025 on Shudder, following a buzzy festival run that kicked off with its world premiere at SXSW 2024. The film also made notable stops at the Sitges Film Festival, Brooklyn Horror Fest, and more.
What is the plot of Dead Mail (2025) film?
On a desolate Midwestern road, a bloodied, bound man crawls to a remote postal box and slips in a desperate plea for help before a frantic figure closes in. That chilling message finds its way to Jasper, a veteran "dead letter" investigator working in a 1980s Midwestern post office. As Jasper begins to unravel the letter's mystery, he's thrust into a dangerous journey involving a kidnapped keyboard engineer and the man's eccentric associate.
Set against a vividly stylized, neon-soaked 1980s backdrop, Dead Mail blends dark comedy with offbeat thrills as Jasper navigates a web of violence, secrets, and twisted alliances.
Emily Gotto, Shudder’s SVP of Acquisitions and Production, praised the film: “Dead Mail showcases the immense talent of Kyle and Joe in what is a unique, arresting and highly entertaining, darkly comedic film with color drenched 80s nostalgia as the backdrop. It’s just the type of bloody and offbeat thriller that lives on Shudder.” (via Deadline)
Who’s Starring in Dead Mail?
- Sterling Macer Jr. as Josh
- John Fleck as Trent
- Tomas Boykin as Jasper
- Susan Priver as Bess
- Micki Jackson as Ann
- Nick Heyman as Renée
- Sean Heyman as Brooks
- Aaron Phifer as Vincent
- Michael Cambridge as Bakir
- Micah Fitzgerald as Knut
- Sharieff Walters as Kirby
- David Willis as Sherm
- Joseph Lopez as Splinter Man
- Josh Harp as Blake
- Shelby Sulak as Allison
- Alyssa Brayboy as Mayumi
- Robin D. Stanton as Synthesizer Representative
- Jackie Green as Trade show patron
Is There a Trailer for Dead Mail?
The trailer for Dead Mail unveils a chilling 1980s-set thriller that begins with a harrowing scene: a bound man, bloodied and desperate, crawls to a remote mailbox, slipping in a plea for help just as a shadowy figure approaches. This blood-stained note lands on the desk of Jasper, a seasoned 'dead letter' investigator, setting him on a perilous journey to uncover its origins.
As Jasper delves deeper, the trailer introduces Trent, a peculiar man with a vested interest in the mysterious letter, hinting at a dangerous connection. The tension escalates with rapid cuts of eerie visuals: dimly lit post office corridors, cryptic symbols, and unsettling encounters. A haunting voiceover poses the question, "Tell me what delights you," adding to the film's enigmatic atmosphere.
The trailer's retro aesthetic, combined with its suspenseful narrative, paints Dead Mail as a gripping tale of mystery and danger. With its unique premise and atmospheric storytelling, the film promises to be a standout addition to the thriller genre. Watch the full trailer below.
Behind the Scenes
Directors Joe DeBoer and Kyle McConaghy helm Dead Mail, with Zachary Weil and Brett Arndt producing. The executive producing team includes Roy Lee (Barbarian, Late Night with the Devil), Steven Schneider, Adam Goldworm, and Susan Priver.
McConaghy and DeBoer—repped by Aperture Entertainment—are a Missouri-based filmmaking duo whose 2020 debut feature BAB won Best Feature at the Nightmares Film Festival. McConaghy also earned acclaim for his 2023 microbudget thriller Sheeps Clothing, which he co-wrote, directed, and shot.
Emily Gotto, Shudder’s SVP of Acquisitions and Production negotiated the Dead Mail deal on behalf of Shudder, while Bill Straus of Bridge Independent represented the filmmakers. “When we started this film, we certainly had no idea it would end up somewhere as legitimate and boundary-pushing as Shudder,” said DeBoer and McConaghy. (via Deadline)
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