The Faceless Man

I had to utilize my 15-minute rule, so I gave up. The director let scenes linger for FAR longer than they should have. The first scene: We GET it, she hates the guy! But, no, it goes on forever, repetitiously, awkwardly. The party of lames is when I finally gave up. I couldn't care less about these boring people at their bland party, but the movie makes you spend so much time with them, suspended in that moment. Even the main character criticizes the party. When I agreed with her, I knew I was done. It needs to be re-edited.

This is director James Di Martino's first feature film and he's got a lot to learn. Most of the actors' performances were sub-par and the pacing was its own horror. And what's with the lazy writing, James? WAY too much use of whatchamacallit and even thigamajig by the supposedly threatening bad guys. And finally, the obtuse anti-drug messaging by those that clearly look like drug dealers, just too much that doesn't make good story sense.

I don't know where to begin. As a movie with a well developed narrative and strong character motives it fails miserably. It's like a long violent episode of Fat Pizza, or Psychovillie if you're British. I can't think of an American equivalent. But it's enduring and I got some laughs out of it. Sadly it's not really about the faceless man, he's just tacked on at random intervals, which is a shame because the design is very well done. It's about young city dwellers clashing with country folk while a drug dealer is on the hunt.

At one point they get served filtered coffee by a waitress and that simply doesn't happen in Australia. Apart from that, it's a good cheesy effort in... making whatever this is.

Well, call it what you want but this one doesn't go down too smoothly. Perhaps misunderstood, but most likely a mess of random scenes, coming from a first time director, The Faceless Man makes sense only if you decide to watch it and appreciate it from the exact point of view that the director had.

If you go in expecting an Aussie horror, usually a slasher that is a tad bit brutal, you fill find some elements of that here, but the execution makes it look like a C movie. After a very difficult first and second act, where action blends with - i guess humor- the third one will manage to make sense, just a little, more of a way to tie them together and offer some closure to what you watched.

I couldn't recommend this to anyone, to be honest, not even to our Aussie friends, but if you do decide to watch it, expect to feel like you're on drugs and don't bother for things to make too much sense.

Cheers!

Filmed in and around Melbourne, The Faceless Man is an Ozploitation genre mash-up from the mind of debut feature film director James Di Martino, that sees horror embodied in a horrifying new way thanks to its titular creation, that was born out of the director's own personal experience dealing with cancer, ensuring The Faceless Man is more than just a simple gore-filled black comedy.

It's not to say there's not humour, claret and oddball characters to be found here, as The Faceless Man's inspiration from films such as The Evil Dead and Get Out is apparent throughout (plus a lovingly staged nod to Reservoir Dogs interrogation scene) but Di Martino's film has more beneath the surface that makes it a far more enjoyable ride in the long run, as this crazed creation takes us on a wild journey to the fictional town of Orange Lodge.

Centred around a group of friends drug-fuelled trip to the seemingly rural and relaxing Orange Lodge, that quickly showcases itself as a town overtaken by a bunch of bloodthirsty and far from normal residents, that are led by Roger Ward's King Dougie, The Faceless Man follows familiar genre tropes but also works hard to subvert expectations, as Sophie Thurling's cancer survivor Emily Beckman not only deals with angry crime bosses and upset locals, but fear incarnate in the form of the gruesome looking Faceless Man.

A monstrous and wonderfully crafted creation that is one of the most memorable "big bads" created in an Australian film in some time, Di Martino uses the Faceless Man sparingly but effectively as he begins to torment Emily and her friends as their fears come to life in horrifying and spine chilling ways.

There's nothing overly subtle here as the film is more than willing to confront the beast that is cancer head on, while also lopping heads and introducing us to characters such as Barry the ***(very naughty word) in what's an eclectic array of themes, subjects and ideas and while it doesn't always gel in the most efficient of ways, when The Faceless Man expertly combines its mixing of the surreal with the darkly comic and confronting, it showcases a filmmaker in the form of Di Martino who has here showed himself to be a director unafraid to take risks and do things his own way.

Di Martino is also ably supported by his game cast of Australian acting staples such as Ward (a member of the original Mad Max), Snowtown breakout star Lucas Pittaway and Andy Mcphee as inappropriate joker Eddie Silver Beard, headlining a jam-packed cast list that features a great collection of up and comers and long serving veterans, ensuring that The Faceless Man is a step above its other independent counterparts that often feel rough and unrefined in comparison.

It's truly a journey unlike any other, a local offering that feels born entirely out of the energy and determination of its filmmaker and while there's a lot to be desired in a refinement sense, you can't help but have a great time on The Faceless Man's wild 90 or so minute journey.

Final Say -

Sure to please gorehounds and fans of pitch black horror comedy, The Faceless Man is a memorable debut from Di Martino and one of 2019's most unique Australian offerings.

3 cups of coffee out of 5