Review of Vick Campbell’s Spanish Horror, ‘Derangement’ (2016)

Spanish filmmaker Vick Campbell has clearly been inspired by some of the great directors before him, such as Jess Franco, Paul Naschy and Armando Ozssario. It’s clear to see these styles in much of Campbell’s work on 2016’s Derangement (AKA Transtorno Mental). In the film, we get a plethora of these filmmaking styles, in everything from the erotic to the gory to the violent to the bizarre mind tripping. Campbell has definitely put together a smorgasbord of various subgenres, and he is very competent and efficient in displaying them on film.

Derangement features a tale of madness involving three women and the repercussions they face based on their actions. The women’s stories dovetail as the film gets closer to its finale. In the meantime, we are introduced to the women: one is a pathological liar and drug use with an obsession of bizarre fetishes; another is shamed by her mother into believing sex and the human body are shameful and blasphemous; the third and final woman is coping with a cancerous tumor in her brain.

The film explores each of these women’s worlds as we get a closer look into their daily activities. With this, we are exposed to some extreme images of sado-masochistic rituals. One of the women has an encounter in a sex shop where she watches peepshows, is ogled by men and even masturbates to a private sex show. In probably one of the most deplorable and memorable scenes in Derangement, one woman confesses her sins to a priest while he secretly fondles himself. While probably not the goriest of films, there is a ton of debauchery in Derangement. The film is not completely devoid of gore, so don’t worry, there is still enough carnage to wet most appetites.

There is actually so much going on in the film that I found it confusing at times, but the ending is a surprisingly efficient, complete with nice twist that explains a lot of the crazed images and visions that are played out in the film. Vick Campbell has made Derangement a unique and mind-altering experience by introducing some great visual styles and controversial material that comes together in one absolutely crazy yet satisfyingly cohesive package. Although Derangement is filmed in Spanish with English subtitles, that should not deter you from seeking it out, especially if you are looking for some great, stylish, low budget material to add to your collection. You can purchase the film at the director’s website here.