Oh B-grade movies! How do I love thee? Let me count the ways…
Someone please give Michael Medaglia more cash moneys. I need more of his work.
A failed sculptor discovers a strange, talking hole in the wall. It has the power to fulfill his wildest dreams… and become his worst nightmare.
I need to warn those reading this review that this was not a horror movie per se. It’s labelled as a horror/fantasy but is truly more along the lines of a magical realism piece. There is horror in the film, of this you can be sure, but the film never tried to be a horror movie. It will unsettle you, unnerve you, sicken you and creep you out. You may laugh, you may cringe and you will definitely feel disturbed. It’s more like the creepiest romcom ever made.
This movie is both about art and an art piece. Our bumbling protagonist, Hermann Haig (played by the marvelous Sean McGrath), has had nothing but a shit hand dealt to him. He is a terrible artist living at home with mother dear and is on the verge of self mutilation. Then he meets The Hole. The Hole is both a muse and a menace. The Hole gives but the Hole also needs to take.
The acting in the movie seems almost staged. I was never sure if the characters were trying to be serious or comedic. The film doesn’t take it self too seriously, but at the same time you know there is a prodigious message being broadcast. The pace was phenomenal and any editor could take a note or two from this film. Deep Dark really highlights that you don’t need a huge budget or famous cast to make a film when the film you are trying to make is for the art of it.
Another warning. This film is not for most people; this film isn’t even for most horror fans. This is an artist creating something about an artist struggling to create something. If you liked Rubber, Naked Lunch and John Dies at the End then this movie may be for you. Maybe.
I loved it. I was thoroughly entertained from start to finish and want more like this. Much, much more. I really hope to see a lot more from Michael Medaglia in the future.
