Jordan
Downey' trashterpiece shocker, Thankskilling
is a cult classic; renowned for its dumpster diving humor and absolute insane
premise. His latest feature, The
Head Hunter evolves his horror comedy style by infusing it with a
disquieting sense of dread and bereavement. A prolonged chamber piece
involving one character, this is a remarkable endeavor, featuring an outstanding
lead performance, ominous visuals, and a plethora of genre homages.
Father
is a hunter, a slayer of vicious supernatural beasts that plague a frigid medieval
countryside. He spends his existence waiting to be summoned into the
fray, desperately hoping that one night he will finally face the creature that
murdered his daughter. Downey and Kevin Stewart's tight script clocks in
at a lean 72 minutes, and almost no second is wasted. While there are
several prolonged scenes of Father's daily routines, they serve as a foundation
by illustrating the life of torment that has enveloped the protagonist.
Christopher Rygh's embodiment of Father is one of the year's best performances
thus far. Carrying an entire narrative solo is an admirable feat, let
alone in a horror film in which the character is in almost every frame.
There are moments of humor and heartbreak sprinkled throughout and Rygh's
understanding of the content and character ensure everything works.
Stewart
also lensed the film, following Father through darkened forests and perilously
cramped caverns. The confrontations are the best part, as Stewart wisely
obscures the bulk of the creatures, allowing the mind's eye to conjure horrors
in the dark. While this is a side effect of budgetary limitations, it
allows ample time for a buildup, culminating in Father's final confrontation
with "The Head", the result of which will have Evil Dead fans clamoring for more. The creature effects are
limited, but this a badge of honor that Downey displays with pride.
Comparisons to Skyrim are unavoidable, given the snow-covered environs and
Andre Bavin's Viking-esque costume designs, and yet, everything about The Head Hunter feels lived in and used
up, imperfect symbols of a world undone by darkness.
Now
available for digital streaming, The Head
Hunter is pure horror bliss. Aficionados will find much to treasure
in this small, nasty package. While the heart of the story is definitely
an endurance test, the payoff is worth the ride, as every culminates in well-earned,
shocking bloodshed. If you're looking for something fresh amid the sea of
endless horror throwaways, this is the one.
-- Kyle Jonathan