By JESSICA BUCK
Horror intellects will say that we interact with movies about death in order to practice confronting our own inevitable end. There is also the Death Positivity movement that encourages people to plan their funerals, talk about death and enjoy life with a sense of momento mori—the knowledge that you will one day die. Combining all of these aesthetics is GRAVE CONVERSATIONS, a short-form YouTube interview series hosted by horror actor and enthusiast David Dastmalchian (Late Night with the Devil). With two short seasons in the books so far, it boasts itself as “the only show where your favorite celebrities get to lie down.”
Aiming to normalize conversations about death and dying, David and his guests lay side by side in twin Titan Caskets for the duration of the interview. (For the uninitiated: caskets are the solid rectangular vessels used in modern burial. Coffins are the six-sided, tapered design typically associated with vampires and goths.)
Usually under fifteen minutes long, each episode features a favorite from the horror community, names like Matthew Lillard, Devon Sawa, Kate Siegel and hubby Mike Flanagan, Seth Green, Jack Quaid and Rachel True. Since death comes for us all, the invites are also extended to non-spooky personalities like musician Betty Who and actor Kumail Nanjiani (Silicon Valley).
Like Hot Ones for the horror crowd, the proceedings start light and weird, with rapid-fire “Questions You Need to Answer Before You Die,” such as “Do you ever get socially anxious before throwing a frisbee?” and “When was the last time you gave a high five and meant it?” The good vibes continue as each guest is asked to describe what they’re currently doing in terms of work or play that makes them feel alive.
When the focus turns to darker topics, David’s sincere tranquility spurs his guests to get deep. Combined with the humbling experience of test driving their final resting place, this portion of the episode tends to show guests at their most raw—some even tear up. The typical end-of-life questions are approached: how they’d like to die, and if they’d rather be buried, cremated or eaten by wolves. However, the conversations go on to include who or what they’d like to haunt when they’re gone, which famous person they’d like to speak at their celebration of life, which historical funeral they’d like to attend as a fly on the wall and so on. The episode wraps with each guest performing their own “you-logy,” which range from heartfelt tributes to near-roasts.
Dastmalchian’s deadpan humor and elder goth sentiment is a reason in itself to watch, but audiences will also enjoy learning odd details about their favorite horror stars, while gaining some fresh perspectives on life and death. Those “dying” for more GRAVE CONVERSATIONS will be pleased to know that a third season is already rolling out, with slightly longer episodes featuring filmmaker James Gunn (Tromeo & Juliet), Violet McGraw (M3gan) and more.
