Death of a Ladies' Man (2025)

-Written by Kyle Bain. 

When Samuel O’Shea (Gabriel Byrne) walks in on his wife being unfaithful, his life is quickly turned upside down. As he navigates new relationships, a shocking health diagnosis, and the ghosts of his past, Samuel must begin to ask himself what is most important in life. Death of a Ladies’ Man is a fantastical look at the past, present, and future. 

Almost in the same vein as the Charlies Dickens classic A Christmas Carol, Samuel is effectively subjected to traveling the great expanse of time and seeing what life was like before, understanding what the future holds, all while being provided the opportunity to analyze his present in a way that most will never experience. Death of a Ladies’ Man explores these intricacies of life in a way that is both wildly fun, but somewhat frumpy at the same time. The film is intentionally nonlinear, but sometimes it becomes a bit challenging to follow. In some ways that works to keep viewers on their toes, but some moments come off as almost disjointed as a result. 

Death of a Ladies’ Man is a twisted mindfuck of a film–and in the best ways. Writers Matt Bissonnette (also the director) and Bobby Theodore blend comedy and drama in a way that often mirrors the real world. The comedy is often subtle, self-depricating, and ominous–almost strengthening the drama, supporting it in a way that allows it to become fully realized and more accessible. This is what Death of a Ladies’ Man does so incredibly well–blend genuine emotion in a way that resonates with viewers and allows them to appreciate a greatly-flawed character in Samuel. The relationships between himself and each of his children, the new, budding romance with Charlotte (Jessica Paré), and the convoluted and challenging relationship that he has with himself are honest reflections of the world in which we live, grounding the film and, again, making it more accessible. 

When I was offered a screener for Death of a Ladies’ Man, Byrne was the name plastered all over the email. Sadly, that was not a name that I was familiar with (and I’m embarrassed to say that), but I’m also pleased to have seen him in this role first, rather than having memories of him in massive films such as The Usual Suspects and Hereditary. Byrne has the right temperament to play Samuel in a film of this nature. He has the ability to embody pain and suffering, but also exude levels of confidence that weren’t expected from a character with his aesthetic. It’s clear that Samuel is old and worn, and for Byrne to radiate the unexpected bravado and conviction is a testament to his dramatic chops. 

Death of a Ladies’ Man is a twisted rollercoaster ride that deals heavily in fantastical realms, while remaining grounded and honest. Byrne seems to be the perfect choice to lead the film, presenting levels of charisma and depression at equal rates that both combat one another, but support one another as well. Death of a Ladies’ Man is a genre-bending experience that immerses viewers in a world of harsh reality, regret, and self-discovery. Death of a Ladies’ Man is a film that didn’t need to be quite this heavy, but benefits greatly from Bissonnette and Theodore’s willingness to fully commit, and I’m impressed by the level of emotion packed into this film.

Directed by Matt Bissonnette. 

Written by Matt Bissonnette & Bobby Theodore. 

Starring Gabriel Byrne, Jessica Paré, Brian Gleeson, Antoine Oliver Pilon, Karelle Tremblay, etc. 

9/10 = DROP EVERYTHING AND WATCH IT NOW