The body of a teenager named Jamie Marks , a boy nobody really knew or interacted with except occasionally to bully , is found by the river . His ghost is then seen by two high school students : Gracie Highsmith , who discovered the body , and Adam McCormick . As time progresses they begin to understand why he is coming to them specifically . In life , Jamie was in love with Adam , but thought the love unrequited . Over time , Adam admits that he had noticed Jamie in life but had never pursued friendship on any level . In death , Jamie finds the courage to court Adam . Adam and Jamie begin a loving but platonic relationship , which is complicated by their outside relationships in the spirit and material worlds . '' Jamie Marks Is Dead '' received mostly positive reviews upon its premiere at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival . Dennis Harvey , in his review for '' Variety '' , gave the film a positive review by saying that " The potentially ludicrous story is handled artfully enough here to cast an eerie but not off-putting spell throughout , though the ultimate point is more than a tad murky , and the desired poignancy does n't fully come across . " John DeFore in his review for '' The Hollywood Reporter '' called the film " A sincere , psychologically savvy take on YA supernatural fare . " Kyle Burton of '' Indiewire '' praised the film and said that " Carter Smith 's '' Jamie Marks is Dead '' is a spooky rendition of teenage passion and shame . It has requisite angst and melodrama , but they ’re guided by the film 's immersive atmosphere and sense of place . It 's a gothic romance — a sort of coming out , bullying story that projects onto its world the moods and emotions of its characters . " Jordan Raup of '' The Film Stage '' praised Carter Smith 's direction that " Smith ’s expertise in crafting visceral , frightening scenarios — exemplified in his somewhat under-appreciated studio horror feature '' The Ruins '' — is fully on display here . Conjuring a gloomy view , in both the afterlife and the real world , the director seems to be in complete control of his vision , particularly in the sound design and downcast cinematography . "
2014 Sundance Film Festival
2014 Sundance Film Festival
Jamie Marks Is Dead