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What happens when you mix one cup of The Visit in with a few scoops of Re-Animator and Evil Dead? You get Matt Mercer and Mike Testin’s new film, Dementia Part II!
Synopsis for Dementia Part II:
When an ex-con takes a job as a handyman for an unstable elderly woman to avoid a parole violation, it becomes a choice he may regret.
Just to preface this review, while the film may be titled as “Part 2,” it is a standalone movie and can be viewed completely on its own. Try to look at it like Halloween 3: Season of the Witch if you can. However, I don’t feel like this film will be as controversial in the horror community as that was. Going in, I had concerns about Dementia Part II covering the topic of dementia and mental wellness, but giving it an honest shot with an open mind helped immensely. While it may be the title, both the poster and the trailer key you in that Suzanne’s—the elderly woman in the synopsis played by Suzanne Voss—dementia is the least of the character’s worries. The film moves on quickly, instead focusing on comedy and viscera rather than emotional weight.
On that note, Dementia Part II starts off like a demented Red Letter Media bookend sketch. It opens with Matt Mercer’s protagonist, Wendall, doing odd jobs for Suzanne. He collects payment after payment because she keeps forgetting the money she’s already given him, and he ignores obvious red flags around her residence which just keep piling up to a farcical degree. As the film goes on, Wendall eventually clues in but is given less and less opportunities for an out due to getting wrapped in with another con by Najarra Townsend’s Sheila. He’s being pushed around by his corrupt parole officer (played by Graham Skipper, my favorite performer in the film). Skipper plays the role like the eventual burnout of every ’80s movie bully, and it’s obvious he has fun with it, as do his scene partners.
I’ll admit, I felt like the opening act was a little slow in its progression. But once Dementia Part II revs up and we’ve seen all four of our major players for the story, I was definitely engaged and vibing with the psychotronic atmosphere of the movie. The black and white filming, especially with splotches of color a la Schindler’s List, sat oddly with me in the viewing experience, but post viewing, I think it adds to the surreal comedic nature of the movie, making it feel like it’s out of any time.
Final Thoughts
There are no ifs, ands, or buts… this is a weird little movie. However, I think the strangeness of it gives it a peculiar charm like so many midnight movies of the past. Watch with your buddies, have some beers and some snacks, and enjoy the experience, especially if you like gross midnight stuff like Re-Animator, Evil Dead 2, or Killer Klownz from Outer Space.
We also have done interviews with lead actors Najarra Townsend and Graham Skipper for the film!
Dementia Part II was released June 1st, 2021 on DVD, Digital, On Demand, and on Amazon Prime at the link below.
