How Did This Get Made?

Deadfall LIVE! w/ Chelsea Peretti (HDTGM Matinee)

September 23, 2025

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • The podcast hosts and guest Chelsea Peretti found the 1993 film "Deadfall" to be a surprisingly bizarre and unhinged viewing experience, particularly highlighting Nicolas Cage's "Tony Clifton-inspired" performance as a standout element that was somehow not widely recognized as his craziest. 
  • A significant portion of the discussion revolved around the film's title, "Deadfall," with the hosts and audience member Clark defining it as a type of trap involving a heavy object, which June Diane Raphael found to be a confusing and unmemorable title that felt like many other "Deadfall"-esque movie titles they've covered. 
  • The conversation delved into the film's perplexing narrative choices, including the lack of sound design, the bizarrely loose underwear worn by characters, the confusing motivations behind the con, and the peculiar presentation of an engagement ring within a cake, all contributing to the movie's overall "weird nonsense" quality. 
  • The discussion highlights the absurdity and over-the-top nature of "Deadfall," with specific focus on Nicolas Cage's performance and the film's convoluted plot elements like the claw hand and the gangster scene. 
  • Audience interaction during the live show revealed a shared bewilderment and amusement regarding the film's violent and bizarre scenes, such as the boiling oil murder, and a surprising question about a potential Nicolas Cage twin. 
  • The "Second Opinions" segment revealed a polarized reception to "Deadfall," with some viewers praising its entertaining "trash" quality and Cage's performance, while others were critical of its filmmaking and plot, ultimately leading to a low Rotten Tomatoes score and poor box office performance despite a sequel. 

Segments

Deadfall Title Confusion
Copied to clipboard!
(00:01:36)
  • Key Takeaway: The film’s title, “Deadfall,” is a point of contention and confusion, with multiple movies sharing the name and a debate over its meaning and relevance to the plot.
  • Summary: The hosts and guest Chelsea Peretti discuss the ambiguity of the title “Deadfall,” noting the existence of another film with the same name starring Olivia Wilde and the audience member Clark’s explanation of “deadfall” as a type of trap.
Nicolas Cage’s Performance
Copied to clipboard!
(00:03:01)
  • Key Takeaway: Nicolas Cage’s performance in “Deadfall” is described as “phenomenal” and “Tony Clifton-inspired,” with his character’s erratic behavior and distinct vocalizations being a major focus of the discussion.
  • Summary: The hosts and guest are captivated by Nicolas Cage’s over-the-top performance, comparing it to Tony Clifton and Al Pacino’s Scarface, and questioning the choices made for his character’s appearance and delivery.
The Con and Cake Mystery
Copied to clipboard!
(00:42:18)
  • Key Takeaway: The central “con” of “Deadfall” remains convoluted, with the cake serving as a perplexing element, initially thought to be a hiding place for an engagement ring, but its true purpose and presentation are debated.
  • Summary: The discussion attempts to unravel the film’s plot, focusing on the father’s faked death, the diamond deal, and the significance of the cake, which is revealed to be a bizarre engagement ring box, leading to further questions about the characters’ motivations and the film’s logic.
Supporting Characters and Subplots
Copied to clipboard!
(00:55:43)
  • Key Takeaway: The film features a series of eccentric supporting characters and subplots, including Charlie Sheen as a pool player and a gangster with a lobster claw hand, whose roles and motivations are often unclear and add to the movie’s absurdity.
  • Summary: The hosts dissect the roles of characters like Charlie Sheen’s “Fats” and the man with the lobster claw hand, questioning their purpose in the narrative and highlighting the film’s tendency to introduce strange elements without clear explanations.
Claw Hand Absurdity
Copied to clipboard!
(01:01:47)
  • Key Takeaway: The claw hand in “Deadfall” serves as a metaphor for the movie’s overcomplicated and unnecessary plot elements.
  • Summary: The hosts discuss the impracticality of the claw hand, particularly how the character needs assistance to use it, drawing parallels to the film’s convoluted narrative and the regret one might feel after choosing such a modification.
Gangster Scene Overacting
Copied to clipboard!
(01:02:35)
  • Key Takeaway: The gangster scene, with its spinning camera and intense actor performances, is highlighted as a moment of masterful, albeit over-the-top, acting.
  • Summary: This segment focuses on a specific scene where gangsters are gathered around a table, and the camera spins to capture each actor giving their all, leading to a discussion about the intensity and dedication of the performances.
Audience Questions & Concerns
Copied to clipboard!
(01:04:30)
  • Key Takeaway: Audience members expressed confusion and shock regarding the film’s violent scenes, particularly the boiling oil murder, and a desire for more Nicolas Cage.
  • Summary: The podcast transitions to audience questions, with one attendee asking about the justification for the graphic boiling oil scene and another expressing disappointment at Nicolas Cage’s character dying early, hoping for a twin to appear.
Box Office and Critical Reception
Copied to clipboard!
(01:14:44)
  • Key Takeaway: “Deadfall” was a significant box office failure in 1993, grossing less than $20,000 domestically and receiving a 0% on Rotten Tomatoes, yet it somehow spawned a sequel.
  • Summary: The hosts delve into the financial and critical performance of “Deadfall,” revealing its dismal box office numbers, its low ranking among films released in 1993, and its zero percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, questioning how a sequel was even possible.