My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Tell It To

Movie Trailer

Release Date
June 25, 2021

Genre
Horror, Drama, Thriller

Cast & Crew

• Patrick Fugit as Dwight
• Ingrid Sophie Schram as Jessie
• Owen Campbell as Thomas
• Moises L. Tovar as Eduardo
• Katie Preston as Pam

Director
Jonathan Cuartas

Other Movies Director is Known For

• The Horse and the Stag (2018, short film)

Producer
Patrick Fugit, Ian Peterson, Kenny Ochoa, Jesse R. Brown

Writer
Jonathan Cuartas

Budget
$500,000 (estimated)

Production Company
Dualist, Film Exchange, Secret Engine

Running Time
89 minutes

Languages
English

Maturity Rating
R

Content Advisory

• Strong violence
• Blood and gore
• Mature themes including illness and isolation

Movie Story
“My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Tell It To” is a haunting, atmospheric horror-drama that tells the story of a small, deeply dysfunctional family living on the fringes of society. The film follows siblings Dwight (Patrick Fugit) and Jessie (Ingrid Sophie Schram) as they struggle to care for their ailing younger brother, Thomas (Owen Campbell), who suffers from a mysterious condition that requires him to drink human blood to survive.

Dwight and Jessie have devoted their lives to keeping Thomas alive, with Dwight taking on the grim task of finding and killing people to feed his brother. The toll of this dark responsibility weighs heavily on Dwight, who is increasingly weary of the endless cycle of death and moral compromise. Jessie, on the other hand, is fiercely protective of Thomas and willing to do whatever it takes to keep their twisted family unit together.

As the story unfolds, the tension between the siblings grows, with Dwight yearning for a way out of their nightmarish existence, while Jessie clings to the only life she knows. Thomas, isolated and childlike, remains dependent on his siblings, unaware of the full extent of the sacrifices they make for him. The film explores themes of love, guilt, and the lengths people will go to protect those they care about, even when it means losing their humanity in the process.

The narrative is slow-paced and introspective, with a focus on the characters’ psychological states and the suffocating atmosphere of their isolated home. The film’s horror elements are grounded in its exploration of the emotional and moral decay that comes from living in such a nightmarish situation. It’s less about jump scares and more about the creeping dread of watching a family unravel under the weight of their shared secret.

Special Effects
The special effects in “My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Tell It To” are understated, with an emphasis on creating a realistic and disturbing portrayal of the family’s life. The practical effects used to depict the violence and bloodshed are gritty and unsettling, adding to the film’s bleak and oppressive atmosphere. The cinematography is stark and minimalistic, reflecting the characters’ isolation and the desolate nature of their existence.

Box Office Performance
“My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Tell It To” had a limited release, primarily reaching audiences through film festivals and digital platforms. It was well-received by critics and genre enthusiasts for its unique approach to horror and its strong character-driven narrative. The film gained a following for its thought-provoking themes and the intense performances of its cast.

Filming Locations

• Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Notable Quotes

• “We’re family. We do what we have to do.” – Jessie
• “I just want it to stop. I can’t do this anymore.” – Dwight

Behind-the-Scenes

• “My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Tell It To” is the feature film debut of writer-director Jonathan Cuartas, who drew inspiration from his own experiences with family dynamics and isolation to create the film’s story.
• The film was shot on a tight budget and schedule, with the small cast and crew working closely together to bring the intense, claustrophobic atmosphere to life.

Awards

• Best Actor (Patrick Fugit) at the Nashville Film Festival (2020)
• Special Jury Award at the Atlanta Film Festival (2020)

Final Verdict
“My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Tell It To” is a haunting and deeply affecting horror-drama that offers a fresh take on the genre by focusing on the emotional and psychological toll of its characters’ grim existence. The film’s slow-burn approach, coupled with its intense performances and bleak atmosphere, makes it a standout for fans of character-driven horror. It’s a dark, thought-provoking exploration of family, sacrifice, and the thin line between love and obsession.

IMDb Rating
6.0/10