PopHorror Let's Get Scared
I’m a lover of weird films, especially weird horror films. As soon as I saw the poster for Bernie Rao’s Killer Sofa, I knew I had to see it. Who doesn’t want to watch a film about a recliner that murders people? So, did Killer Sofa satisfies my craving for weirdness, or did it leave me wanting more? Read on to find out!
Killer Sofa is the latest from writer/director Bernie Rao (The Badlands 2015). The film stars Harley Neville (I Survived A Zombie Apocalypse 2014), newcomer Piimio Mei, Nathalie Morris (Cade 2017), Stacey King (Mothers of Averton 2016), Jed Brophy (The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey 2012, District 9 2012, The Lord Of The Rings: The Twin Towers 2002) and Jim Baltaxe (The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug 2014).
Synopsis:
Francesca has always attracted weirdos. When one of her stalkers is found dead, she looks for comfort from her best friend, Maxi. Meanwhile, Maxi’s grandfather, Jack, a disgraced Rabbi, comes across a reclining chair containing a Dybbuk inside. Jack and his voodoo sorceress partner try to find out where the recliner has been delivered while exploring Jack’s newfound gift for communicating with the other world. Meanwhile, the reclining chair becomes enchanted by Francesca and starts committing crimes of passion.
So, for anyone expecting the poster for Killer Sofa to be an indication of the movie’s content, kick that idea out of your head right now. There are no fanged recliners to be seen in the film, nor is it a gorefest. What it is an absurd horror comedy whose humor comes from the ridiculousness of the premise. Oh, and before anyone comments on the fact that its a recliner and not a sofa, the films original title was My Lover, My Lazy Boy. I’m sure it was the distributor’s decision to change the title, probably for copyright reasons as well as to play up the exploitation elements.
Killer Sofa follows two plot lines which eventually converge with disastrous results. Rabbi Jack encounters a demonic recliner which he feels compelled to touch, an act that connects him to the entity inside. He spends much of the movie trying to track down the recliner so he can banish the Dyybuk inside. Little does he know that the chair has found its way to the apartment of dancer Francesca (who just so happens to be the best friend of his granddaughter, Maxie) and is now killing of anyone who gets to close to her. Can Rabbi Jack stop the killer chair before it’s too late?
I’ve got to say, the recliner in this film was pretty creepy. While looking like your average lounger, it has two eye-shaped spots, giving the impression of a villain that is always watching. Francesca can feel that something is off, but can’t quite put her finger on what it is. I thought it was cool how the recliner used its footrest and springs as weapons to kill or maim its victims, although I was a little bummed that the chair didn’t eat anyone. This was slightly made up for with a transformation scene in the film’s final act.
While the horror element wasn’t quite as graphic as I would have liked, what really worked for me was the film’s humor. While delving into the absurd, Killer Sofa deals with everything in an almost deadpan way. For example, a character is up walking around with a large shard of glass sticking out of their head. The Rabbi asks them if they are okay, and they say, “Yeah I’m fine,” like its nothing. In the next scene, that person is shown with a bandage on their head. Another frequent source of humor is Rabbi Jack, who makes for a pretty inept, would be hero.
Final Thoughts
While it wasn’t as gory or horrific as I would have liked, I found myself enjoying Killer Sofa and its absurd, often deadpan, humor. While it won’t be for everyone, audiences with a taste for the ridiculous and weird should find plenty to enjoy. Recommended.
