After a failed audition, he ends up snowbound in a remote town in Nevada overrun with meth dealers including Merle and his dimwitted henchman, Ledge, who works as a crossing guard.

After Reno finds the body of a dead DEA agent in Ledge's bathtub, he reunites with his former co-stars including Devon in order to save the town's residents and himself.

In 2005, one of the film's eventual producers passed through Ely, Nevada on his way to Utah, while inadvertently leaving his wallet on his car roof.

Director Jason Wiles,[4] who wrote the film with producer Shem Bitterman,[3] also chose the area because of its historic mine-town feeling and its wide-open views.

[4] In November 2006, production scouts planned for scenes to be shot at Ely's nearby Robinson Mine, as well as Steptoe Valley, and the road leading to Cave Lake State Park.

[5] In addition to Tuffendsam and Bitterman, Wiles also served as a producer on the film, alongside Mark Koetting, Mike O'Shea and Tom Rooker.

How did a co-writer/director (actor Jason Wiles, marking his sophomore directorial effort) with a completely nonsensical movie have the organizational and leadership skills to direct the final product?

"[6] Jordan Harrison of Home Media Magazine wrote, "Play Dead wobbles between the comedy, drama and action genres.