PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Cult movies are slowly making a comeback, and I’m not complaining. There is a certain level of love or hate for movies such as Pater Noster and The Mission Of Light. However, this film speaks volumes to me and my love for the “Satanic Panic” era of horror movies. Is every movie such as this predictable? Normally I would say yes, however; Pater Noster and the Mission of Light stuck with me. The film is a wild ride from start to finish.
Let’s get into the review.
Synopsis
Max (Adara Starr) is passionate about vinyl with a giant collection. In the record store she works at, someone trades in a valuable record from a group that has long since disbanded. After playing the record, Max gets a mysterious phone call from someone from Pater Noster and the Mission of Lights community. Max is offered a meeting with the group and coaxes them to allow her friends to come along. When entering the compound of the community, they quickly realize this is a cult. One by one Max’s friends are killed off and the group has bad intentions for Max.
My Opinion
Pater Noster and the Mission of Light really impressed me. The story is pretty fantastic and easy to follow in an age where you have to dissect movies. The point is pretty straightforward and has some twists, even though some of the film was predictable. I don’t mean that in a bad way, I just mean it as a beautiful throwback. Cult movies have evolved into horror /comedies, leaving out the intention of being original. Pater Noster and the Mission of Light holds on strong to the spirit of the 70’s exploitation films.
“We make underground films with very little money for the love of the art. This is literally my backyard we’re shooting in. Everything we do is like the Little Rascals putting on a show for the neighborhood kids. That’s not to say that we don’t take great pains to make our products the best possible quality with the resources we have. Everything I know about filmmaking, I learned from punk rock. The movies we make are punk rock demo tapes. We operate outside of Hollywood focus groups and traditional distribution routes. We make movies for people looking for something different,” says Bickel, adding, “What happens in ‘Pater Noster and the Mission of Light’ is beyond belief. It’s not for the squeamish or easily upset. -Christopher Bickel
But Wait, There’s More!
Another amazing point is this movie was recorded without any big funding. Christopher Bickel is an extremely dedicated director\ writer\editor\ producer and cinematographer. He has released movies that are taking over the indie horror genre. Christopher Bickel is also an on-and-off columnist for MaximumRockandRoll magazine and more. The passion he puts into his movies is a gift in itself. Christopher’s drive makes powerful films that reach into that horror hound we can all be. He is not afraid to get down and dirty to make his films. I have to say, I have seen a lot of independent horror that weren’t worth the watch. However; Pater Noster and the Mission of Light is definitely on my list of amazing movies I have seen in 2024.
In the End
Pater Noster and the Mission of Light is full of deaths that made me cringe. The gore is so well done, it was tasteful and not overboard. This film gave me a breath of fresh air. It fits into everyone’s interests in one way or another. It can be enjoyed by all of us in the horror community. These are the types of movies we need to refocus on and I hope to see more in time. Save horror, and give love to indie movies that built this genre into what it is now.
