A New Level Of WTF-ness: ‘RAT MAN’ (1988) – Blu-ray Review

At the risk of coming off as if I’m pigeonholing an entire ethnic group, I will make the following statement (that I believe in my heart is 100% true): Italians have made some fucking bonkers films. Exhibit A: Rat Man.

Directed by Giuliano Carnimeo (Find A Place To Die), and written by Dardano Sacchetti (Demons) and Elisa Briganti (Zombie) Rat Man has some very familiar faces in the leads, and combines giallo, with some “mad scientist” horror and a heaping helping of “what the fuck?”. Fortunately (depending on your perspective), the guys at Cauldron Films have preserved, on blu-ray, this seldom seen gem for the ages.

Synopsis

“A fashion model is murdered on a Caribbean island, and her sister investigates with her friend Fred, uncovering a horrifying rat-like creature which Fred kills, but the true horror is just beginning.”

Have a look at the trailer!

A low-key creepy photographer (who reminded me of Flea for some reason) named Mark (Werner Pochath; Auntie Lee’s Meat Pies) is living his best life in a Caribbean paradise with a trio of hot bikini models: Peggy (Luisa Menon), Marilyn (the striking Eva Grimaldi; Il Cobra Nero) and Monique (Anna Silvia Grullon; Brothers In War). Unfortunately, after a shoot, Peggy turns up dead and partially eaten. Seemingly nonplussed by this, the (now trio) of fashionistas inexplicably delve further into the surrounding jungles for even hotter locations with no discernable sense of danger. Terry (Janet Agren; Eaten Alive!) and her new acquaintance Fred (David Warbeck; The Beyond) to investigate her sister’s disappearance.

As the bodies start piling up, Mark and the gang seek shelter in a house owned by the mysterious Dr. Olman (Pepito Guerra; The Overthrow) and occupied by his genetic creation Mousey (Nelson de la Rosa; The Island of Dr. Moreau ’96), a hideous half-man, half-rat. With Terry and Fred one step behind, will the models survive? And is Mousey to blame, or is there something far more sinister afoot?

With a story, regardless of how absurd it seems on the surface, played completely straight, Rat Man is a bona fide RIOT to watch! C’mon, how many movies can boast a creepy little rat guy seemingly ripped from the cover of a late 80’s Weekly World News? And with a bevy of Euro-babes and stone-faced David Warbeck, Rat Man virtually screams “watch me with beer & weed!”.

Featuring some really fun make-up effects, a killer score by Stefano Mainetti (Zombi 3), over the top reaction shots, and a clumsy “erotic” shower scene (apparently they eschew shower curtains & doors in the Caribbean, they must have really wet floors!) thrown in the mix, Rat Man checks all the boxes for a gonzo, Italian 80’s flick, and even manages to get some originality across—unlike a lot of the spaghetti splatter flicks of this era, Rat Man is not a rehash of a familiar film.

The only knock, that I see, is that you have to feel a little sorry for de la Rosa, I mean the guy’s most famous roles are genetic mutations, and that has to be because of his appearance. Was he exploited his entire life?? Or did he have a more “meh, at least I’m working” attitude?? I’m sure an interview or something is a short Google search away…

Cauldron, as always, puts a package together with collectors in mind. Cool, clear case, with original, and newly commissioned artwork, and who doesn’t love their “reaper” logo? Special features include: interviews with the cinematographer and camera operator, a commentary track by film historians Eugenio Ercolani, Troy Howarth, and Nathaniel Thompson, and, of course, the trailer. The transfer is immaculate, looking as sharp as one could hope for on a hi-def set up. Even sound, with little noise compliments the picture perfectly.

Rat Man, is proof, once again, that the Italians had the market on crazy cornered in the 1980’s (Fun Fact: Rat Man was once released with the tagline “He’s the critter from the shitter”—no lie.). Brimming with everything genre fans love about sublimely eccentric Euro-horror, Rat Man is a gory, slimy, rat infested, (unintentionally) goofy run through the jungle! Look over your shoulder, that creepy little fucker could be right behind you!!

Cauldron Films’ Blu-ray release of Rat Man is available now from Diabolikdvd.com and other fine retailers.