AceShowbiz - The twisted thriller remake Over Your Dead Body, starring Timothy Olyphant, has premiered to a solid reception on Rotten Tomatoes. The film made its debut at SXSW 2026 and features Jason Segel and Samara Weaving as a couple whose vacation to mend their troubled relationship takes a dark turn. Both harbor secret plans to kill one another, but their schemes become complicated when they cross paths with a trio of fugitives played by Olyphant, Juliette Lewis, and Keith Jardine.

This movie is a remake of the 2021 Norwegian film The Trip, directed by Tommy Wirkola and starring Noomi Rapace. On Rotten Tomatoes, Over Your Dead Body currently holds a 75% critic score based on 12 reviews, with nine "Fresh" and three "Rotten" ratings. This initial score may change as more reviews come in following its SXSW premiere. By comparison, the original The Trip holds a slightly higher score of 83%, also based on 12 reviews.

Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com praises Jason Segel for his excellent comic timing and Samara Weaving for her impressive action skills, but he notes that the film struggles to provide a compelling reason for audiences to root for the couple’s survival or their marriage. However, he highlights that Timothy Olyphant steals the spotlight with a rare, truly villainous performance. Tallerico observes that Olyphant employs subtle but effective choices, from inquisitive head tilts to sociopathic smirks, that dominate the film.

In a review from The Hollywood Reporter, Angie Han writes that while the film delivers several clever plot twists, it eventually becomes a straightforward survival battle once the twists run out. Han commends the chemistry between Segel and Weaving, noting that despite their characters’ dark intentions, there is a genuine sense that they are well-matched for better or worse.

On the other hand, Katie Rife from IndieWire offers a more critical perspective. She expresses frustration that the film’s humor often comes off as mean-spirited rather than funny, leading to a cynical ending that feels overly familiar. While she praises the stunt work and hand-to-hand combat scenes, Rife argues that the movie’s polished technical aspects only emphasize its shallow and insincere approach, attempting to graft a fun experience onto a bleak story about hateful characters who delight in each other’s pain.

Over Your Dead Body is directed by Jorma Taccone, known for writing and directing the 2010 film MacGruber, which starred Will Forte, Kristin Wiig, and Val Kilmer. The screenplay for this remake was written by Nick Kocher and Brian McElhaney.

The film’s premiere coincides with several ongoing and upcoming projects for its lead actors. Jason Segel is currently starring in season 3 of Apple TV’s critically acclaimed comedy series Shrinking, which is releasing new episodes and has already been renewed for a fourth season. Samara Weaving headlines the eagerly anticipated sequel Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, which also premiered at SXSW 2026 and is set to hit theaters on March 20. Meanwhile, Timothy Olyphant has several projects lined up, including season 2 of the Apple TV comedy Stick, where he has been promoted to series regular, as well as Apple TV’s drama Lucky and Netflix’s The Adventures of Cliff Booth.

Over Your Dead Body is scheduled for theatrical release on April 24, 2026, and runs for 105 minutes. The film is produced by Aram Tertzakian, David Leitch, Guy Danella, Kelly McCormick, Lee Kim, and Nick Spicer.

With its blend of dark humor, suspense, and action, Over Your Dead Body offers a fresh take on the thriller genre, anchored by compelling performances, particularly from Timothy Olyphant. While critical opinions vary on its narrative depth and tonal balance, the film’s strong debut on Rotten Tomatoes suggests it will be a notable addition to 2026’s thriller lineup.