Murder Motel DVD Review (Deskpop Entertainment)

Murder Motel (aKa Replica) is a 2023 drama written and directed by Paul Tully (Replica, Atonement, and Crossroads). It’s based on the 2015 short film Replica from the same director. It was produced by Jared Safier (The Brawler, They turned us into Killers, Lockdown, Room 9, Altitude, The Bay, and Silencer). Trapped in the gritty world of crime, drug dealer Mickey (played by: Jeremy Luke from The Irishman, Mob City, Don Jon, Sully, Detention, Jersey Shore Shark Attack, and Jersey Boys) is in serious trouble with gangster Dino (played by: Mickey Rourke from The Wrestler, Sin City franchise, Iron Man 2, Angel Heart, Spun, Man on Fire, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Diner, Body Heat, The Pope of Greenwich Village, Year of the Dragon, Johnny Handsome, Barfly, and The Expendables). He must pay back the ruthless killer in 72 hours or he’s dead. He meets struggling actress Tonya (played by: Alexandra Grey from MacGyver, Empire, Jess like Me, and K-11) who wants a better life so she decides to partner up with Mickey to make some fast cash for some easy hustling. They end connecting and look for redemption together. Mickey’s friend Paul (played by: Noel Gugliemi from The Fast and the Furious, Training Day, Street Kings, Dragged Across Concrete, Harsh Times, Mayans M.C., 3 From Hell, The Purge: Anarchy, The Mule, and Crank) goes out to get the funds needed to save their business. Will they make enough before it’s too late???? Murder Motel is more of a drama feature than crime but it still has plenty of those elements here. It has a solid script with an interesting twist that takes you through a variety of wacky characters in 3 days. The main reason Murder Motel grabbed my attention originally was because one of my favorite actors is in it. Unfortunately, he’s only in a few scenes so it’s basically an extended cameo. They were smart on how they used him in Murder Motel, he pops up every once in awhile here. Mickey Rourke always makes everything he’s in better and this one is no different. He plays vicious gangster Dino and he wants his money but he’s actually a little more understanding than some of his crew about the harsh situation. Jeremy Luke as Mickey was a decent lead in this independent movie. He plays a low level meth dealer that’s ran out of luck. He’s desperate to survive. Alexandra Grey as Tonya brings something different to this story. She’s trying to make it as an actress but it’s a rough world so she needs more money quickly so she hooks up with Mickey for a smooth hustle. They both have decent chemistry together. There’s a decent amount of familiar faces when it comes to the supporting cast that includes Noel Gugliemi, Nicholas Turturro (NYPD Blue), James Russo (Donnie Brasco), Glenn Plummer (Speed), John Enos III (Blade), Naomi Grossman (American Horror Story), Kirby Bliss Blanton (The Green Inferno), and Stephan Smith Collins (Hellraiser: Revelations). Murder Motel is a dark drama that deals some people at their worst possible moments. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the ending but I get why director Paul Tully did it. The production uses it small budget in the right departments to make it look a little bigger than what it is. I enjoyed Murder Motel more than I thought I would, it’s definitely worth checking out!!!! Let’s discuss this standard definition presentation from Deskpop Entertainment! This 480p (1.78:1) transfer looks solid on DVD especially for it’s lower budget. Murder Motel has a variety of interesting locations. I’m kinda surprised that it didn’t get a blu ray release. It has an English: Dolby Digital 5.1 track. All of the dialogue is very clean, the drama is elevated, and the music has a killer boost to it. It has English SDH subtitles. Unfortunately, there’s no special features on this. This is a professional made on demand DVD-R home video release. It’s available everywhere right now including MovieZyng.com, CHECK IT OUT!!!!