Deep Dark

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.

Like Herman, the main character, this movie is lacking something. Great concept if you're into weird stuff, the story moves along nicely in the first half of the movie but then... Something goes wrong. It gets too slow, performances are subpar, the jealous artist and the girlfriend in particular, and the killings arrive too late. Things should have escalated further somewhere along the part the manager goes into the bedroom (whatever happened to her by the way?). It would be nice to explore other aspects of the story, like the hole's origin and Herman's feelings about it. I was hoping this would be one of those misunderstood gems with an unfair rating, but nope. It is lacking.

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.

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.

Not bad or good, the movie is pretty much different from everything else I've been watching lately. But come on? One hour and eighteen minutes of a talking head and a failed sculptor? I had to give it a try. I would advice someone thinking about watching it to just give it a try.