User reviews

Quite a treat to see Jerry Lacy, Lara Parker, and Kathryn Leigh Scott-- all of Dark Shadows--reunited again. But, the characters really don't do much in the film. The artsy blue screen projections detract from a slim plot. Just what did Dr. Mabuse do to warrant his exile? He's a criminal mastermind...just what did he do? My biggest problems with the film include uneven audio levels. I had to jump up once or more to turn the volume down or up on my stereo from scene to scene. Plus, the characters do not pronounce the name "Mabuse" the same by any means. I heard "Maboose" from Lara Parker...and "Muh-buse" from the young police policeman and others. Even in the the special features section on the DVD, the latter actor referred to Lara Parker as "Laura," when my understanding is the pronunciation is "Lara," rhyming with "Sara." So, these problems did detract from my enjoyment of the film. I would like nothing better than to see a Dark Shadows TV or studio film with Parker, Scott, David Selby, etc. on a higher production level. But, kudos to the director and writer--who, as other reviewers said--could do much more on a bigger budget.

An absolutely terrible, amateurish, silly take on the old Dr. Mabuse character with virtually no redeeming value. Okay, the blue screen look of the film is occasionally striking, but this is a mess when it comes to a solid script, strong characters, suspense, tension, or any coherent excitement. I felt sorry for the old "Dark Shadows" actors, of which only Kathryn Leigh Scott gives a memorable performance in a laughably under-written role.

I can only imagine that somebody got their relatives or people who worked on the film to write these rave reviews. The new Spielberg? Come on!

Bad acting, no plot, stationary cameras with green screens. Don't waste your time. The great reviews must have been from people on drugs or paid by the film maker.

I had high hopes for this indie go at a film with the super criminal Norbert Jacques created in 1921 but was horribly disappointed. While I went with a high degree enthusiasm (and never imagined the film to be in the theme of Lang's Mabuse films) and sat through the entire film, I was supremely disappointed in the Ansel Faraj-helmed effort.

The film is unevenly acted, obtusely written and far, far too pretentious. It doesn't work merely as a piece of art, and as entertainment it's a thermonuclear fail many times over.

A second Mabuse film is said to be in pre-production by the same group, a fact that defies belief after seeing this misguided effort.

I bought the DVD because it featured several Dark Shadows actors. And it was nice seeing them again -- though I felt sorry for them that they'd been reduced to working in this mess.

This production has an ultra low-budget feel. Shot entirely on stage, indoors, with green screen backgrounds. The scenes are very talky and pointless. I couldn't follow the logic of the plot. Lots of babble, which only serves to pad a dramatically vapid production.

Lara Parker and Kathryn Leigh Scott were under-utilized, so there wasn't even the pleasure of seeing them so much. At least Jerry Lacy had a more substantive role.

This film merged old school acting techniques with new film making! Strong characters, great script and an amazing score are among the best features of this film. Ansel shows that with determination and a strong cast - his ideas can come alive even on a limited budget.

Favorites in the film are Jerry Lacy and the late Linden Chiles with effortless, natural performances by both that only comes from years of experience. Strong supporting roles by David Graham, Julian Grant and John C. Smith.

Slow dialogue exchanges between Nathan Wilson and Bahia Garrigan made for lengthy scenes, I had wished for quicker delivery. Though the two had moments that showcased their talents.

A lot going on in this film both visually and within the plot. The film was easy to follow, script was well written and there were no loop holes for me. Climax scene between Lacy and Wilson was very well done.

I enjoyed the film; that being said I would have enjoyed it more and given it a better rating if the dialogue pace during some of the scene had not been so slow (lengthy).

Thumbs up to Ansel for directing a terrific cast of all ages. He really showed his professionalism with this film. People don't realize he does EVERYTHING on his projects: writes, produces, edits, visual effects, casts, edits again, directs, cameraman, edits again and delivers each film from his soul! 21 years old! Most 21 year old's are in college trying to find a major or are on the beach surfing all morning. Ansel eats, sleeps, drinks and breathes movies. Its in his DNA and in this film it shows. He should be proud.

I'd like to give some points for effort here. This was obviously done by someone who is a fan of the character. That being said they missed the entire point of Mabuse. I was lost after the very first scene. Don't know what I expected it's hard to determine what was the worst thing; the acting, the sets, the script, and did I mention the acting? I've been to haunted houses with better performances and more realistic sets. Just as obvious is that most of these reviews were done by cast members or their families. Only a mother could love anything here. Just too amateurish and cheap to deserve even 10 minutes of your time much less over an hour. It had the look of something you'd see in a graphic novel and would probably have been better in that format. Sorry to be so brutal about it but the longer I watched the sillier it got. If the creator of Dr. Mabuse (which they didn't even pronounce correctly) was alive he'd have to stop this from ever seeing the light of day. No wonder this is free to view on YouTube. NOONE would pay to see this on stage or in a theater.

Due to my love of the original Dark Shadows tv series and it's many actors, I came upon doing a deep dive into filmmaker Ansel Faraj's filmography the last few months.

Faraj having made this film at such a young age is extremely impressive! The mood and actors included are definitely the cherry on top! (DS alumni Jerry Lacy, Kathryn Leigh Scott and the beautiful Lara Parker!)

Going back to an early film like Mabuse was really exciting and rewarding to see what Ansel has been able to do in the years since this release! I highly recommend 2019's "Loon Lake" also starring DS alumni's, like David Selby and Kathryn Leigh Scott (once more!)

as the movie began , I thought, hmmm...I am now in a theater, in Europe , in the early 30's...then i started looking for reference points, Ed Wood, David Lynch, Fritz Lang, Tarhovsky,Dan Curtis...but by then I was lost at sea with Mabuse and Ansal Faraj and I was scared. ..and amazed..I had never seen such a film!But I was captivated with the ever growing sense of DREAD, mind control, grief, and utter helplessness...aspects of my life were mirrored, all the actors were committed to the unfolding horror...a filmic Greek Tragedy...not for the faint of heart. Lacy, Scott, Parker , all excellent in their new reincarnations. It seems Dark Shadows lives again, in parallel time, in the brilliant fearlessness of young director, Ansal Faraj.

This movie will mess with your head; I've never seen anything like it. I went to see the premier of "Doctor Mabuse" (2013) this weekend as a long-time Dark Shadows fan, not knowing quite what to expect and was blown away. I loved its unique style, haunting, noir atmosphere, dreamlike, both menacing and seductive, and how all the elements just meld into a seamless flow, the music, the visuals, the dialog, the characters...particularly with the whole dynamic of the original Dark Shadows actors in the cast, evoking all that ambiance and projecting it into a completely different universe, in distinct roles just as unique and engaging. The mystery of Doctor Mabuse and what he's up to keeps you slightly off-balance, falling forward, like a magic carpet being pulled out from under you as it unfolds before you. A work of art! I'm craving more!

At my age, I can't get a camera to work correctly, and then made to feel more foolish when I see the awesome work of 21-year-old Ansel Faraj and what he has captured on film. There is an old soul in that body. On such a limited budget, it's amazing how much he has packed into the plus an hour-and-a half movie. Without giving away spoilers, I can say that there is so much mystery and uncertainty in the film that it keeps you guessing all through it. Stay after the credits to see the last, and my favorite, scene in the film.

Kudos to Jerry Lacy for bringing so much evil into the title role. He is outstanding in the role of Dr. Mabuse.

Lara Parker and Kathryn Leigh Scott added to the star power of the movie, as well as old-timer, Linden Chiles.

I wasn't going to post a review for this film until I saw the grossly unfair review posted by the person from Pacific Grove, which was so over the top in it's negativity, I seriously wondered if a personal vendetta against the director was involved.

I went to see Doctor Mabuse because of the three Dark Shadows cast members--I was one of the kids who ran home from school to watch it back in the day. I was blown away by this movie. Produced for peanuts, shot in the director's backyard, (literally) it's an effective recreation of the kinds of thrillers that were produced in Berlin during the 1920s. I'm familiar with those films--I've seen the masterworks produced by Fritz Lang, Paul Leni F.W. Murnau and others--Ansel Faraj is a filmmaker with a vision to match theirs. Doctor Mabuse is bizarre, scary and unforgettable. Jerry Lacy is mesmerizing and terrifying in the title role--a character first presented on screen by Fritz Lang in 1922. Lacy's Dark Shadows co-stars Kathryn Leigh Scott and Lara Parker, offer able support as a creepy pair of sisters who may or may not be working with Mabuse. Handsome newcomer Nathan Wilson makes the perfect leading man: for an actor not as experienced as his co-stars, Wilson shows an impressive depth and intensity in his role as a tormented police inspector. Annie Waterman gives the film a delightfully camp edge with her over the top performance, which she does in a deliciously hilarious, if inexplicable, European accent.

Visually Doctor Mabuse is stunning. It's set in a dreamlike netherworld that could be any time, any place, between 1920-1950. Is it the USA? Is it Europe? That's never made clear, but it sure is spooky! As others have noted, if this masterpiece is what Ansel Faraj can achieve with limited resources it will be REALLY interesting what this young, emerging talent can do with a real budget!

See this movie because Ansel Faraj has been able to do something new in a way that filmmakers twice to three times his age seemed to have never known how to do. Doctor Mabuse is a wholly original film and fearless while it's at it -- detailing a contemporarily rendered vision of fear, even if set in "period" times between the wars yet, as we are now, always in a state of war. Fear, paranoia, claustrophobia, conformity and the banality of evil combine in a visually arresting and mind-blowing way to tell a simply great and terrifying story. Jerry Lacy MAKES the film along with a cast turning in good to great performances that enhance Lacy's dark embodiment of evil. Part homage, part brand new vision and always an analogy for our times, Doctor Mabuse is not only a highly worthy and frightening story in and of itself but marks a serious entry into movie-making. Ansel Faraj means it!

As a fan of both Fritz Lang and the old Dark Shadows soap opera, I was eager to see Ansel Faraj's Doctor Mabuse. You could say I am the target audience, and I wasn't disappointed! Seeing Jerry Lacy, Kathryn Leigh Scott, and Lara Parker together again is a treat in and of itself. As always, they are terrific! Newcomer Nathan Wilson has a lot of on screen charisma too. Faraj creates a noirish atmosphere which draws the viewer in. The lighting is particularly effective. I was surprised to learn that the director was only 21 years old when he made this film. Given his age and budget he had to work with, I am quite impressed. I am looking forward to seeing more of Faraj's work in the future. The movie and the director are definitely worth watching!