Cosmatos (Beyond the Black Rainbow) finally returns with a new Horror flick focused on revenge. It’s another stylistic panoply of color, animation, nostalgia, sound, music, mood and dark humor. Set during the early Eighties, Mandy is a tragedy about a couple whose peaceful, idyllic life in the forest is disrupted by a freaky, Manson-like Hippie cult followed by Nic Cage doing his thing to exact justice.
If you’re looking for a straightforward narrative and/or Eli Roth gorenography, Mandy isn’t for you. Despite the violence, this movie is a mix between art and an homage to its inspirations (see below). Personally, I think the second half shows the hero’s descent into madness as he overcomes pretty serious odds utilizing a customized axe, firearms and a chainsaw.
I’ve never been a huge fan of Horror but this is on my short list for Best Movies of 2018.
Alamo Extras: Nic Cage jokes, namely a montage of scenes in which he freaks out; Music video for Policia; and trailers for the movies that inspired Cosmatos to make Mandy:
- Friday the 13th (the first one)
- Phase IV
- Heavy Metal
- I Drink Your Blood
- Fire & Ice
- Hellraiser