Necromentia: A Movie Review

Director: Pearry Reginald Teo.

Writer: Stephanie Joyce.

A love story set in the backdrop of hell "Necromentia" is an unreleased horror feature that offers three intertwined stories in a non-linear story-telling fashion. Centering around the characters Morbius, Hagen, and Travis each character interacts with the others while searching for love despite the pain of betrayal and the hopelessness of recovery from dementia. From the puzzling script of Stephanie Joyce (April's Last) and the creative direction of Pearry Theo (The Gene Generation) "Necromentia" is a horrifying glimpse at death magic and the underworld.

Beginning with Hagen (Santiago Craig) believing his girlfriend will return to him despite the difficulties of death the picture quickly introduces the charismatic Travis (Chad Grimes) who is searching for a reconnection with his lost brother Tommy. Using black magic and trickery Hagen is sent to the underworld as a "guinea pig" to return with the soul of his beloved Elizabeth (Zelieann Rivera). Unfortunately, those in hell have other plans for those in the material world including Morbius (Layton Matthews) a male witch who is misinformed as to the identity of his loved one's child.

The central message of the film is more of a question: what would you go to hell for or would you go to hell for love? Also, several smaller themes are introduced that connect with love like betrayal, and pain with many of the characters motivations being used against them in the greater schemes of others. The complexity of writing and the many thematic layers means that "Necromentia" needs to watched several times to unravel the films puzzle.

Connecting love with restraint Tommy, who is suffering from Creutzfeldt-Jakob's Disease, is found strapped to a wheelchair as do other central characters. Travis is another who when in hell is immobilized in a chair while searching for Tommy's soul. Also, Hagen is pinned to an operating table while hoping for a reunion with Elizabeth. Each of the characters also seems to undergo behavioural changes after restraint with Hagen's personality infantilizing and Morbius' speech impairment becoming more pronounced. So the theme of dementia, which is the second part of the films title, is highlighted, but the storys message is centrally connected to the risk each character will take for love despite the restraint of dementia.

Shot for a limited independent budget "Necromentia" recently found itself at Cannes and received international distribution with North American distribution forthcoming. Very stylish and requiring multiple watches "Necromentia" is an enjoyable ride once the films central theme of love, sometimes with pain or restraint, is understood.

Acting/interaction/action: 6.5
Story/writing/premise: 8.5
Music/sound effects: 7.5
Settings/props/costumes: 7
Plot/structure: 5.5

Overall: A 7 starred pentagram out of 10.

Sources:

Pearry Theo. Interview. 13 June 2009.

Bleiberg Entertainment. 13 June 2009. DVD. Runtime 85 mins.

Posted in: chad grimes,layton matthews,message,movie poster,movie review,necromentia,pearry teo,premise,santiago craig,stephanie joyce,themes