PopHorror Let's Get Scared
The Mahal brothers, Michael and Sonny (read our interview with them here), first rocked the indie scene with their crazy 2017 smash hit comedy horror, Bus Party to Hell (read our review here). The filmmaking duo return with their latest sin-sational feature titled Art of the Dead. While their over-the-top horror debut served as a nod to gratuitous B-movie glory days, the Mahals’ second genre feature takes a different angle with the genre, all while remaining strongly rooted in horror by unleashing the seven deadly sins.
When Douglas Winter (Richard Grieco: 21 Jump Street TV series) brings home a painting to complete a seven masterpiece set that has existed since the late 1800s known as “The Sinsation Collection,” he’s enraged that his family does not share in his enthusiasm. As something dark takes hold of the art collector, a bizarre event unfolds, resulting in an Amityville Horror-esque tragedy.
Following the gruesome introduction, the mysterious paintings find their way to an art gallery auction house. Successful architect and businessman, Dylan Wilson (Lukas Hassel: The Black Room), is intrigued by the unique art featuring a different animal on each canvas and the strange history surrounding their creator, Doran Wilde (Danny Tesla: Birthday In A Dark Room 2016). He places the highest bid. It isn’t long before the hypnotic paintings begin to corrupt the family with the sins each piece of art represents.
To be fair, the general concept of sin used for corruption isn’t particularly new to the horror genre. However, Art of the Dead puts a unique, slick and enticing twist on this supernatural angle. Each member of the Wilson family is affected differently, depending on their predispositions and the paintings to which they’re exposed.
The film is filled with an outstanding cast. There is not one weak link in the cast lineup, some bringing to life a startling change to their character while others seek to find answers and play hero. As the soul-corrupting power takes hold of his character, Hassel transforms from a humble and socially conscious businessman into a man consumed with a level of greed that would make a Wall Street executive blush.
Speaking of making people blush, Jessica Morris (Role Models) is a showstopper, seducing the screen as her character, Gina, becomes infected with lust. Meanwhile, Cynthia Aileen Strahan (Obsession 2018) completely loses her mind as the Wilson’s daughter, Donna, who comes down with a horrible case of envy. As the paintings spare no soul in the Wilson household, the youngest two of the doomed family, Jack (newcomer Jonah Gilkerson) and Suzie (Sheila Krause: The Cyborg: Rise of the Flesh Eaters), get comfortably subdued by sloth. However, the Wilson’s oldest son, college student and aspiring artist Louis (Zachary Chyz: Push 2017), unleashes a fury of insanity as he’s consumed with wrath, all while determined to create his own timeless masterpiece.
As chaos ensues in the Wilson house, an unlikely pair must save the day. In desperate need for answers to explain the strange, violent behavior of her boyfriend, Louis, Kim (Alex Rinehart: They’re Inside 2019) crosses paths with a former priest, Father Gregory Mendale (Robert Donavan: Sunset Society). Having experienced the dark power the paintings possess and a blind eye to prove it, Father Mendale tells Kim the story of the vile art collection. Can the duo bring an end to this madness before it’s too late?
While the off-the-wall comedy seen in Bus Party to Hell is dialed down in favor of a little more serious overtone, unmistakable similarities are still evident in the Mahal brothers’ two films. This is likely due to the touch of master cinematographer Michael Su, who worked his magic in the challenging scenes aboard the party bus in the filmmakers’ previous horror endeavor. Joining Su’s jump from the bus into an art world of horror is Tara Reid with a fun cameo while Rolfe Kanesfsky (The Black Room) takes another spin in the director’s chair for a second Mahal production go-around.
Though the comedy is toned down from the Mahal’s first indie horror, Art of the Dead maintains a level of craziness along with top-notch, gore drenched special effects that pull no punches. Brandishing such madness as sex with a demon, an attack by monstrous snails, snakes, frogs and a mud-caked man-pig, there’s no shortage of surprises seasoned with a few laughs along the way. Art of the Dead is a mesmerizing piece of sinful frights and humorous delights making it a perfect addition to any horror connoisseur’s collection.
