Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Sci-fi drama

The Death of Dick Long (2019): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Death of Dick Long (2019) movie poster

The Death of Dick Long is a 2019 sci-fi drama directed by Daniel Scheinert, starring Jess Weixler as Jane Long, Michael Abbott Jr. and Virginia Newcomb. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes and earned $36,856 worldwide. Critics gave it 75% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10.

IMDb rating
6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
75%
worldwide gross
$36.9K
Echo Score
73
Loading streaming availability…
The Death of Dick Long (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 40m (100 min)
Director
Daniel Scheinert
Genres
Sci-Fi , Drama , Comedy , Crime
Original language
English
Studio
A24
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Death of Dick Long About?

The premise of The Death of Dick Long without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In a close-knit Alabama town, two friends, Zeke and Earl, find themselves desperately trying to conceal the unexpected death of their bandmate, Dick Long. As they attempt to cover up the incident, they quickly realize that their small community holds no room for secrets. With the authorities investigating, they must confront the challenges of keeping their actions hidden, discovering that even the most carefully laid plans can unravel in a place where everyone knows everyone.

The Death of Dick Long Themes & Keywords

· 39 tags
  • bloody clothing
  • police investigation
  • female police officer
  • scene before opening credits
  • drunkenness
  • emergency room
  • garage band
  • three friends
  • boyfriend girlfriend relationship
  • pre adolescent
  • hemorrhaging
  • horse semen
+27 more
  • zoophilia
  • stable
  • horse
  • schoolteacher
  • physician
  • vape pen
  • worried wife
  • missing man
  • loose horse
  • misadventure comedy
  • death by misadventure
  • gossip
  • small town
  • school recital
  • husband wife separation
  • wife kicks husband out of the house
  • father daughter separation
  • quiche
  • arby's restaurant
  • piano recital
  • reference to sex acts
  • true crime
  • beastiality
  • dark comedy
  • character name in title
  • death in title
  • based on true story
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

The Death of Dick Long Cast & Characters

Jess Weixler leads the cast as Jane Long, with Michael Abbott Jr. as Zeke Olsen and Virginia Newcomb as Lydia Olsen. Directed by Daniel Scheinert; 12 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Death of Dick Long

· 8 more
From the director

More from Daniel Scheinert

More films directed by Daniel Scheinert, best-rated first: Swiss Army Man, Everything Everywhere All at Once, Omniboat: A Fast Boat Fantasia and The Pound Hole.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Death of Dick Long Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Death of Dick Long 75% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 73/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

73 /100

The Death of Dick Long Echo Score Breakdown

The Death of Dick Long delivers a subtly empathetic dark comedy anchored by thoughtful direction and character focus. Many critics note compassionate handling of grotesque material and an unpredictable narrative that balances suspense and humor. Character portrayal garners genuine sympathy despite incompetent protagonists, while its pacing yields sustained engagement for most viewers. A minority critique targets shallow thematic depth and stereotypical representation. Overall, the film offers a distinctive blend of dark humor and human insight that resonates unevenly but remains largely effective.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, the film’s direction maintains a controlled tone that tempers its unsettling reveal. Critics highlight Scheinert’s compassionate approach and measured pacing, suggesting purposeful editing and shot composition. Visual composition adopts an understated rural authenticity without overt flourish. Overall, the technical design supports the narrative intent with consistent competence.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    In terms of character and emotion, performances evoke genuine sympathy for flawed figures, notably Abbott’s nuanced portrayal. Critics appreciate the film’s refusal to reduce its protagonists to simple caricatures, though some viewers object to perceived stereotypes. Emotional honesty emerges despite humor derived from the leads’ incompetence. The net effect is a layered depiction of misguided individuals.

  • Story & Flow 70

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative unfolds with an unexpected twist that sustains engagement while balancing humor and suspense. Reviewers praise its avoidance of overt moralizing, though a few find the themes lack depth. Pacing shifts between brisk comedic beats and somber reflection, resulting in an uneven rhythm for some audiences. As a result, originality shines through despite occasional narrative meandering.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    In terms of sensory experience, the film offers clear sound design and a restrained soundtrack that complement its rural setting. Visual style relies on muted color palettes and unembellished production design, reinforcing the small-town atmosphere. There are minimal stylistic flourishes, which may limit lasting impression. Overall, the sensory elements serve the story in a functional but unobtrusive manner.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film’s dark comedic premise and cultural specificity may curb repeat viewings for some audiences. Critics note lasting emotional resonance from its compassionate moments, though thematic shallowness can diminish deeper returns. The unpredictable twist and character empathy provide points of rediscovery, but overall appeal may weaken with repeated exposure. Ultimately, replay value is moderate, appealing to viewers drawn to its tonal complexity.

Plot

The Death of Dick Long Plot Summary

What happens in The Death of Dick Long from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film kicks off with a trio of friends, Dick Long, Zeke Olsen (played by Michael Abbott Jr.), and Earl Wyeth (portrayed by Andre Hyland), indulging in a wild night filled with loud rock music, pranks, and fireworks. However, the festive atmosphere quickly takes a dark turn when Dick suffers severe injuries and is unceremoniously dumped at an emergency room by his friends, leaving the circumstances of his injuries shrouded in mystery.

After this harrowing event, Earl returns home, gathering his belongings and telling his casual love interest Lake (played by Sunita Mani) that he must leave town due to a family emergency. However, instead of leaving immediately, he decides to fulfill a brief shift at his warehouse job.

Full summary

The whole story of The Death of Dick Long, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Death of Dick Long Box Office

The Death of Dick Long grossed $36,856 worldwide.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$36.9K

US & Canada
$36.9K
Videos

The Death of Dick Long Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Death of Dick Long.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Death of Dick Long?

9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 9

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered

What were the main characters indulging in at the beginning of the movie?

Details

The Death of Dick Long Also Known As

13 alternative titles, including “The.Death.Of.Dick.Long” and “데스 오브 딕 롱”.

Also known as
  • The.Death.Of.Dick.Long
  • 데스 오브 딕 롱
  • Smrt Dicka Longa
  • La muerte de Dick Long
  • 迪克·朗之死
  • Смъртта на Дик Лонг
  • Dick Long nie żyje
  • Смерть Дика Лонга
  • Moartea lui Dick Long
  • Cái Chết của Dick Long
  • Dick Long halála
  • ディック・ロングはなぜ死んだのか?
+1 more
  • 迪克朗之死

Seen The Death of Dick Long?

FAQ

The Death of Dick Long FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Death of Dick Long, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Death of Dick Long?

The Death of Dick Long runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).

When was The Death of Dick Long released?

The Death of Dick Long was released on September 27, 2019.

Who directed The Death of Dick Long?

The Death of Dick Long was directed by Daniel Scheinert.

More films by Daniel Scheinert

Who is in the cast of The Death of Dick Long?

The Death of Dick Long stars Jess Weixler as Jane Long, Michael Abbott Jr. as Zeke Olsen and Virginia Newcomb as Lydia Olsen, among 12 credited actors.

How much did The Death of Dick Long make at the box office?

The Death of Dick Long grossed $36,856 worldwide.

How is The Death of Dick Long rated?

The Death of Dick Long has 6.4/10 on IMDb, 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, 69 on Metacritic and 62% on TMDB.

Does The Death of Dick Long have a post-credit scene?

No. The Death of Dick Long has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app