Abruptio (2023)

I am not speaking in absolutes when I say I have never seen anything as disquieting and disturbing as “Abruptio,” a nightmarish project from writer-director Evan Marlowe. Watching this macabre horror film was a traumatic experience, and it’s still haunting me days later. It’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen, and telling the grim story with incredibly lifelike puppetry is an amazing achievement that will leave your jaw on the floor. The film tells the story of 35-year-old Les Hackel (James Marsters), a guy who is down on his luck. He works a meaningless and dull job, was recently dumped by his girlfriend, attends group therapy sessions, and still lives with his displeased parents, who seem to take every opportunity to criticize his life choices. Basically, his life sucks. One day, Les wakes up to find an explosive device has been implanted in his neck. He must carry out increasingly heinous crimes in order to stay alive, all while trying to identify the mysterious mastermind manipulating him and others around him. This horror film is made entirely with life-sized puppets in live action settings. Yes, puppets. xxx has created a chilling, fully realized, bizarre world with equally disturbing characters that inhabit it. The puppetry is unbelievably detailed, so much so that you quickly forget that you aren’t watching human actors. The diverse voice talent (featuring Jordan Peele, Hana Mae Lee, Robert Englund, Christopher McDonald, and the late Sid Haig) is a splendid match for the material. The movie highlights a series of savage and horrific acts of violence. Don’t be fooled into thinking this is kid stuff: the film is filled with psychopaths, bloody gore, and unrelenting brutality. You wouldn’t think all of this bloodshed would get to you because it’s carried out by puppets, but some of the scenes are so tense and stomach-churning that they are still causing me distress. It’s the stuff of nightmares. This isn’t just another horror movie, however. There’s a great deal of thematic depth here, with multiple layers of meaning. It’s a story about corporate control and the willingness of society to capitulate to their demands. It’s a metaphor for how we are all just being manipulated by those more powerful than us, a willing battalion for the faceless puppet masters who hold the strings. It’s a look at America’s mental health crisis. It’s a story about a man who is confused and needs affection. It’s a tale of trauma, masculinity, and growing up. There is so much to unpack here, the film begs for repeat viewings. The story loses focus and gets weirder as it goes on, but the first half is just fantastic. “Abruptio” is a remarkably creative work of horror that ushers in a refreshing burst of ingenuity to the genre.