Deep Dark

Struggling artist Hermann (Sean McGrath) leases a rundown apartment from his uncle and continues to struggle with his mobile-centered art pieces. That is until a tiny hole in the wall spits out a string with a note attached saying, "Relax, I can help." The hole begins speaking to him in a seductive female voice and soon the hole starts producing tumors (!) that Hermann places on his mobiles. The fleshy orbs intoxicate any viewer, making Hermann an instant success in the local art scene. Of course, the partnership comes with a price. I was drawn to this horror dark comedy just by the poster and one sentence plot synopsis on TubiTV. Writer-director Michael Medaglia delivers on the film's weird promise, coming off almost as a low budget combo between David Lynch and latter day Henenlotter. The premise might run a little thin at 80 minutes but I was entertained the entire time. His skewering of the indie art world is hilarious.

Deep Dark has the feel of an extended (79 minute) Twilight Zone episode without the genius of Rod Serling. A twenty something, no talent artist creates They are garbage. He winds up at an apartment with a hole in the wall. Behind it, he hears the voice of a woman. She is lonely, and in exchange for companionship will provide him with objects which seem to mesmerize gallery patrons. The Faustian bargain is successful and the artist must satisfy the hole in the wall in a most unusual manner. The premise was o.k. but it just sputters out in the end.

I was drawn into this because the description and some reviews made it sound like it would be a visual trip and very experimental. It's actually just a pretty straightforward story about a struggling artist. The only twist being he talks to a hole in the wall and it grants him parts to make his art. It also gets jealous of any woman he tries talking to. That's about it.

Don't expect a horror film. Or David Lynch-lite (which is what I kind of had in my head). Or any comedy. I'm honestly not sure who the intended audience of this film was. I kept waiting and waiting for something off the wall to happen and grew increasingly bored when it never did.

The one positive thing I will say, is that the plot was fairly original. It had lots of potential, I just wish it was more entertaining.

This film is undeniably absurd; every aspect of this film screams "surrealism," from the refusal to fully explain or justify the strangeness of the plot to awkward, uncomfortable sex scenes. As I'm a fan of such movies, I enjoyed my viewing and was pleased to view something I hadn't seen repackaged and rebranded a hundred times before. Should you watch this film? If you're in the mood for something different and unique, sure. If you're expecting the film the poster and description portrays - that is, a disturbing and violent horror flick - then I think you'd be better suited looking for and watching something else. That's not to suggest this movie is without violence or gore, but compared to some of the more well-known surreal horror films (Videodrome, Eraser Head, and House, for example) this is a rather tame movie. However, be advised: there is an underlying theme of body horror throughout the film. If "gross out" (though the "ick factor" of this film is slight) isn't your thing, I'd recommend looking for something different to watch.

A very original flick with a premise that is almost wholly unique. Plus, the plot is mostly unpredictable, which is refreshing. Fun, too; no heavy-duty moments in this black comedy. It's not a goofy all-out comedy, just so you know not to expect belly laughs or plenty of clowning around.

The story is about a left-wing loser millennial with no talent but who fancies himself an "artist". (Sounds familiar, huh? I bet you know at least several dozens of those.) His uncle rents out a flat to him that he promises will inspire him. What happens from there is quite weird and entertaining.