Abruptio Explained

Director:Evan Marlowe
Producer:Kerry Marlowe
Cinematography:Evan Marlowe
Editing:Evan Marlowe
Distributor:Anchor Bay Entertainment
Runtime:94 minutes
Country:United States
Language:English

Abruptio is a 2023 American adult puppet horror film written, edited, and directed by Evan Marlowe. Produced by Kerry Marlowe, the film stars James Marsters, Hana Mae Lee, Christopher McDonald, Jordan Peele, Robert Englund, and Sid Haig in his final film before his death on September 21, 2019.[1] [2] [3]

Abruptio had its world premiere online at the Santa Monica Film Festival on January 17, 2023, prior to its theatrical release by Anchor Bay Entertainment on September 27, 2024.[4]

Plot

Les Hackel hates his life. He works at a dead-end job, was just dumped by his girlfriend Allison, and still lives with his nagging mother Doreen. One night, he discovers a fresh incision behind his neck. His friend Danny tells him it's a bomb, that someone has implanted one in his neck, too. And then the messages start coming in, forcing Les to carry out missions with deadly results. Les is partnered up with a series of oddball characters to commit heinous tasks. The violence escalating around him, Les pieces together the clues that reveal the horrific plans to breed a monstrous race of beings.

Production

Voice recording

Voice recording started on May 23, 2015, in Los Angeles, California, with Evan Marlowe serving as cinematographer.[5] [6] [7] Recording sessions wrapped on December 2, 2017.[8] In December 2017, several actors were confirmed to have voiced characters, including James Marsters, Robert Englund, Sid Haig, Jordan Peele, Hana Mae Lee, and Christopher McDonald.

Production

On September 23, 2019, the film's crew relayed their feelings towards the passing of co-star Sid Haig, while confirming they would finish production on Abruptio soon, for a then-projected release in 2020.[9] In April 2020, Marlowe revealed information about the film's production:

In a June 2020 interview, the film's director Evan Marlowe revealed that with "six years in, we're still not quite halfway done filming. We plan to pick up where we left off in the coming months." In August 2020, production resumed, with coronavirus safety protocols in place, including limited crew members.[10] Filming wrapped on March 4, 2021,[11] before post-production wrapped by March 2022.[12] [13] In August 2022, the film was completed.[14]

Release

Theatrical

Abruptio was theatrically released by Anchor Bay Entertainment on September 27, 2024.[15] [16] The film had its online world premiere at the Santa Monica Film Festival on January 17, 2023.[17] [18] The film also streamed online at the Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival on March 1, before its physical screenings on August 26 and 29, 2023.[19] [20] [21] It had its public theatrical premiere at the Panic Film Fest on April 15,[22] [23] [24] before having its International debut at the Fantaspoa Film Festival on April 28 and 30[25] [26] and its European premiere at the Dundead Film Festival on May 12.[27] [28] It also played theatrically at the Malibu Film Festival on May 21,[29] the Dark Bridges Film Festival on June 4,[30] the Lighthouse International Film Festival on June 9,[31] the Desertscape Film Festival and Days of the Dead Indianapolis Film Festival on June 23,[32] [33] [34] the Film Invasion LA festival on June 25,[35] [36] the Galacticat Film Festival on June 26 and 29,[37] [38] [39] the Motor City Nightmares Film Festival on July 28,[40] the Atlanta Underground Film Festival on August 4,[41] the Popcorn Frights Film Festival on August 12,[42] [43] the Rhode Island International Film Festival on August 13,[44] the Macabro Film Festival on August 18 and 19,[45] [46] the HorrorHound Film Fest on August 20,[47] the Days of the Dead Los Angeles Film Festival on August 26,[48] Grimmfest on October 8,[49] [50] the Atlanta Horror Film Festival and the Fargo Fantastic Film Festival on October 14,[51] [52] the Fright Nights Film Festival and Ramaskrik Film Festival on October 19,[53] [54] [55] the TOHorror Fantastic Film Festival on October 20,[56] the Tucson Terrorfest and the Chicago Horror Film Fest on October 22,[57] [58] the Cine-Excess and Tysvær Skrekkfest on October 27,[59] [60] the Nightmares Film Festival and the Vortex Film Festival on October 28,[61] the Curtas Festival of the Imaginary on October 31,[62] the South African Horrorfest on November 2,[63] the Night Visions Film Festival on November 11,[64] the Buenos Aires Rojo Sangre Film Festival on November 23 and 24,[65] and the Soho Horror Film Festival on November 30.[66] [67] The film was originally set for release in 2021.[68]

Home media

The film will be released on Blu-ray, DVD and Ultra HD Blu-ray on December 10, 2024.[69]

Reception

Critical response

[70]

David Gelmini of Dread Central wrote, "Viewers who are not perturbed by the use of human-sized puppets will commend Abruptio for its unique visual-style and its audacious premise. And those who are too perturbed by its irregularity will still find it too damn strange to completely ignore".[71] Stephanie Malone writing for Morbidly Beautiful gave it 5 out of 5 butterflies, calling the film "the total package", while praising the story, character development and detail of the puppets.[72] Anton Bitel, writing for Projected Figures, said the film "is a schizophrenic skedaddle from reality, reflected even in the heavily stylised medium that Marlowe has adopted, and ending with one hell of a hangover. The ensuing cavalcade of unease and wrong disturbs and repels, both in equal measure, and in the best possible way."[73] Carla Davis of 1428 Elm called the film "a trippy, gory puppet horror masterpiece," particularly noting its visuals as "eye-popping" and the level of voice talent and writing which "takes it over the top."[74] Jennie Kermode of Eye for Film gave a positive review, writing the film "stands out because of its format but has a strong narrative and smart ideas behind it".[75] Alan French of Sunshine State Cineplex gave a positive review, summarizing that the film is "one of the most visually unique films of 2023".[76]

In a negative review, Kyle Logan of Cultured Vultures said the film "is a singular film on almost every level, which makes it worth seeking out for fans of weird movies, but it has some ideological issues and isn't quite good enough to transcend its niche."[77] Logan also characterises the film as misogynistic, a criticism echoed by Catherine Benstead of Hear Us Scream.[78]

Accolades

The film garnered a total of 20 awards during its 2023 festival run.[79]

At the 2023 Panic Film Fest, the film won the award for Best Visual Effects.[80] At the 2023 Days of the Dead Film Festival, Sid Haig's posthumous performance was nominated for Best Villain,[81] while James Marsters won the award for Best Actor and Evan Marlowe won for Best Director.[82] At Film Invasion Los Angeles, the film won the awards for Best Director (Feature), Best Screenplay (Feature), Best Horror Feature, and Best Performance by a Full Cast.[83] At the 2023 Galacticat Film Festival, the film won the award for Best Effects.[84] At the 2023 Motor City Nightmares Film Festival, the film won the award for Best Effects.[85] At the 2023 Film Invasion LA Festival, the film won the awards for Best Feature Film and Best Director.[86]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 'Jackie Brown' and 'House of 1000 Corpses' star Sid Haig has died . . . September 23, 2019 . September 23, 2019.
  2. Web site: 'The Devil's Rejects' star Sid Haig hospitalized in ICU . . Roffmanon . Michael . September 7, 2019 . September 23, 2019.
  3. Web site: Sid Haig, Rob Zombie's Captain Spaulding and Horror Icon, Dies at 80 . . . Jacob . Oller . September 23, 2019 . September 23, 2019.
  4. Web site: Puppet Horror Movie Abruptio Drops Poster & Trailer Featuring Jordan Peele And Robert Englund . . Danoff . Owen . June 14, 2024 . June 14, 2024.
  5. Web site: Sid Haig Voicing Lifelike Puppet In Boldly Original Movie 'Abruptio'. Dread Central. John. Squires. June 19, 2015. March 13, 2020.
  6. Web site: Indie Spotlight. Jones. Tamika. Daily Dead. August 24, 2014. June 28, 2018.
  7. Web site: 'Abruptio', A New Kind Of Horror Movie. Horror Fuel. Kelli Marchman. McNeely. June 21, 2015. March 13, 2020.
  8. http://www.abruptio.com/news.html Abruptio News
  9. Web site: Sid Haig, star of 'House of 1000 Corpses,' 'Devil's Rejects,' dies at 80 . Deerwester . Jayme . . . September 23, 2019 . September 23, 2019.
  10. Web site: Filmmaking in the Time of Covid . August 14, 2020 . September 6, 2020.
  11. Web site: That's A Wrap. March 4, 2021 . March 9, 2021.
  12. Web site: Congrats to Bryan Bowen, the sound effects designer behind 007's latest. We're busy in postproduction on Abruptio and expect to have it all wrapped by early next year. . . November 5, 2021 . December 10, 2021.
  13. Web site: Happy to announce the visual portion of post-production is over and we move on now to the audio portion. . . March 9, 2022 . March 19, 2022.
  14. https://m.facebook.com/100063524324779/posts/pfbid0yvdoqrzCMo9FCGwVdyukqVeGrAx225tSvQ7dCbx3rjxj6YmharW9KHmgdWcvvsVAl/ It only took 7 years but Abruptio is Done
  15. Web site: Anchor Bay Entertainment Label Resurrects with Puppet Horror 'Abruptio' and Doc 'Dinner with Leatherface' . Bloody Disgusting . Meagan . Navarro . February 16, 2024 . February 17, 2024 .
  16. Web site: Anchor Bay Entertainment Label Gets Revitalized; Sets 'Abruptio' & 'Dinner With Leatherface' As First Releases . Anthony . D'Alessandro. Deadline Hollywood . February 15, 2024 . February 17, 2024.
  17. Web site: https://www.facebook.com/AbruptioFilm/posts/pfbid02F8vuc1swzjvfCoF158y4n71co5arV8ZEWPuZnPDLYBCdqmdzAw51PQNVbELzzZU8l?__cft__[0=AZVrRgYV8YjdBtdQdZfr9SYj5DwYILQyqWsLDLsz__0C1UUr_HZl0b25uJodI1MUDsPHGnlflwx9xOaUwQxmsa7QPDwVKZRNuI154fp79wF9TppAsOtrwoe0LRMmSTydYSZxhd-yO_oIvfjU1oiw2XVCdfIBaAv8l1_NvrXVjIRIfJ63jxpgzOovk0NYqGTnF4QCl5AIoHKMXAdtNv97yOL9&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R After 8 long years, we finally present to you, the world premiere of Abruptio!! For the next few weeks, the film will be live on xolo.tv as part of the Santa Monica Film Festival. The subscription is 5 bucks (cancel anytime). Needless to say, this one isn't for the children. ]. Facebook . January 17, 2023 . January 27, 2023.
  18. Web site: Abruptio has been named an Official Selection of the SMFF! We'll be having our world premiere during the festival. Dates TBA, but you'll be able to watch the film online. Congrats to our hard-working team of artists who made this possible, and thanks so much to the Santa Monica Film Festival. . Facebook . December 9, 2022 . January 11, 2023.
  19. Web site: More great news! Abruptio is an Official Selection of Cinequest . . February 11, 2023.
  20. Web site: Abruptio Creatics . February 11, 2023 . February 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230211192054/https://creatics.org/create/cinejoy/showcase/moviepage/267101/Abruptio . dead .
  21. https://tickets.cinequest.org/websales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=292547~a12ee803-7eae-437e-8208-1c4d52da2020&epguid=330ab4d6-45cd-4e3a-a87e-02c739b12dbb& Abruptio Cinequest
  22. Web site: Panic Fest Announces Full 2023 Line-Up. Nightmarish Conjurings. Sarah. Musnicky. March 14, 2023. March 17, 2023.
  23. https://panicfilmfest.com/theatrical-schedule/ Panic Film Fest Schedule
  24. https://panicfilmfest.com/abruptio/ Abruptio at the Panic Film Fest
  25. Web site: Wave Of Horrific Titles. DreadCentral. Sharai. Bohannon. March 9, 2023. March 10, 2023.
  26. https://fantaspoa.com/filme/abruptio Abruptio at the Fantaspoa Film Festival
  27. Web site: Dundead 2023 programme announced. Dundee Contemporary Arts. March 30, 2023. March 30, 2023.
  28. https://www.dca.org.uk/whats-on/event/abruptio-european-premiere Abruptio (European Premiere)
  29. https://www.malibufilmfestival.com/ Abruptio at the Malibu Film Festival
  30. https://www.darkbridges.com/2023-films/abruptio/ Abruptio at the Dark Bridges film festival
  31. Web site: Lighthouse 2023: Brooklyn 45 and Abruptio Headline Darkhouse Program . Screen Anarchy . Andrew . Mack . May 10, 2023 . May 11, 2023.
  32. https://www.fmasu.com/2023desertscape/abruptio Abruptio at the Desertscape Film Festival
  33. Web site: We are thrilled to announce our first official selection of the Summer Cycle!!! "Abruptio" will be making its Indiana Premiere at #daysofthedeadfilmfestival . Facebook . March 15, 2023 . March 17, 2023.
  34. https://www.daysofthedead.com/indianapolis/events Abruptio at the Days of the Dead Indianapolis Film Festival
  35. https://filminvasionla.com/abruptio/ Abruptio at the Film Invasion LA
  36. https://www.goelevent.com/discoverfilm/e/Program12-Abruptio Film Invasion LA programme
  37. https://www.galacticat.cat/project/abruptio/ Abruptio at the Galacticat Film Festival
  38. https://www.tarrega.cat/cultura-participacio-pobles/noticies/galacticat The Galacticat of Tàrrega Expands its Format in the Tenth Edition of the Festival, Dedicated to the Classic 'The Exorcist'
  39. https://www.galacticat.cat/es/programa/ Galacticat Film Festival program
  40. https://www.motorcitynightmares.com/ Abruptio at the Motor City Nightmares Film Festival
  41. https://auff.org/23-abruptio-1 Abruptio at the Atlanta Underground Film Festival
  42. Web site: Popcorn Frights Announces The First Wave Of Its 2023 Festival Lineup . Dread Central . Mary Beth . McAndrews . June 29, 2023 . June 30, 2023.
  43. https://popcornfrights.com/film/abruptio/ Abruptio at the Popcorn Frights Film Festival
  44. http://www.film-festival.org/ Abruptio at the Rhode Island International Film Festival
  45. https://macabro.mx/2023/pelicula/abruptio/ Abruptio at the Macabro Film Festival
  46. https://casadellago.unam.mx/nuevo/evento/macabro Macabro Film Festival Events
  47. https://horrorhound.com/Conventions/FilmFestDetails/51?idFilm=202308001 Abruptio at the HorrorHound Film Fest
  48. https://www.daysofthedead.com/los_angeles/ Abruptio at the Days of the Dead Los Angeles Film Festival
  49. https://grimmfest2023.eventive.org/films/64dbab6c8704ea0078ad5cdc Abruptio at Grimmfest
  50. Web site: Exclusive: Grimmfest Unveils Fantastic Feature Film Lineup . . T . Amber . August 18, 2023 . August 18, 2023.
  51. https://atlantahorrorfilmfest.com/schedule Abruptio at the Atlanta Horror Film Festival
  52. http://www.valleycon.com/FilmFest/Selections.cshtml Abruptio at the Fargo Fantastic Film Festival
  53. https://frightnights.eu/programm-2023/abruptio/ Abruptio at the Fright Nights Film Festival
  54. https://frightnights.eu/programm-2023/#timetable Fright Nights Film Festival Time Table
  55. https://ramaskrik.no/abruptio-dxm20230631/ Abruptio at the Ramaskrik Film Festival
  56. https://www.tohorrorfilmfest.it/en/abruptio-2-2/ Abruptio at the TOHorror Fantastic Film Festival
  57. https://tucsonterrorfest.com/schedule/abruptio/ Abruptio at the Tucson Terrorfest
  58. https://www.chicagohorrorfilmfest.com/ Abruptio at the Chicago Horror Film Fest
  59. https://www.cine-excess.co.uk/possessed-bodies-monstrous-beings-and-the-abject-screenings.html Abruptio at Cine-Excess
  60. https://www.skrekkfest.no/abruptio-dxm20230631/ Abruptio at the Tysvær Skrekkfest
  61. Web site: Nightmares Film Festival 2023 Lineup Includes 'Santa Isn't Real', 'How to Kill Monsters' and More! . . John . Squires . September 21, 2023. September 24, 2023.
  62. https://curtas.org/en/feature-films/ Abruptio at the Curtas Festival of the Imaginary
  63. https://www.horrorfest.info/#abruptio Abruptio at the South African Horrorfest
  64. https://www.nightvisions.info/wp/en/portfolio/abruptio/ Abruptio at the Night Visions Festival
  65. https://rojosangre.quintadimension.com/2.0/programacion/ Abruptio at the Buenos Aires Rojo Sangre Film Festival
  66. Web site: Exclusive: Soho Horror Film Festival's 2023 Lineup Brings Carnage To London . Fangoria . Amber . T . October 13, 2023 . October 15, 2023.
  67. https://www.sohohorrorfest.com/sohome-horror-fest-2023/abruptio Abruptio at the Soho Horror Film Festival
  68. Web site: What?!? Who's this freaky little dude? . October 3, 2020 . November 16, 2020.
  69. Web site: Abruptio . . September 27, 2024.
  70. Web site: 'Abruptio' . . November 21, 2024.
  71. Web site: 'Abruptio' Is A Bizarre And Compelling Puppet Horror Film [Review] ]. . Gelmini . David . March 17, 2023 . April 22, 2023.
  72. Web site: Reel Review: Abruptio (2023) . Morbidly Beautiful . Malone . Stephanie. March 27, 2023 . April 22, 2023.
  73. Web site: Abruptio (2023) . Projected Figures . Bitel . Anton . April 12, 2023 . April 22, 2023.
  74. Web site: Abruptio is a trippy, gory puppet horror masterpiece . 1428 Elm . Davis . Carla . March 12, 2023 . April 22, 2023.
  75. Web site: Abruptio Review . Jennie . Kermode . Eye for Film . April 27, 2023 . May 1, 2023.
  76. Web site: Fantaspoa 2023: 'Abruptio' – Puppets and Horror Blend to Create a Nightmarish Reality . Alan . French . Sunshine State Cineplex . May 2, 2023 . May 3, 2023.
  77. Web site: Abruptio Review – Too Weird to Hate, Not Good Enough to Love . Cultured Vultures . Kyle . Logan . March 14, 2023 . April 24, 2023.
  78. Web site: Benstead . Catherine . April 20, 2023 . November 29, 2023 . [REVIEW] Abruptio ]. Hear Us Scream.
  79. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3963226/awards/?ref_=tt_awd/ Abruptio Awards
  80. https://panicfilmfest.com/panic-fest-2023-awards/ Panic Film Fest 2023 Awards
  81. https://www.facebook.com/AbruptioFilm/ If you'll be at Days of the Dead next week, make sure to vote for Sid Haig, who got a posthumous nomination for Best Villain
  82. https://www.facebook.com/AbruptioFilm/ So thrilled that James Marsters and Evan were recognized for acting and directing. What a great honor from true horror fans at Days of the Dead.
  83. https://www.facebook.com/AbruptioFilm/posts/pfbid02UMExDXQSfYgoEhDkzHGmNDeN8kmYvQVwzdKZcYC5mZVJ4kAJZGqARrNe2JZHR971l/ Holy cow! We're so honored that Film Invasion L.A.'s Grand Jury awarded Abruptio...BEST HORROR FEATURE BEST FEATURE DIRECTOR BEST FEATURE SCREENPLAY BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FULL CAST We're over the moon. Congrats to everyone who made it possible.
  84. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=756370683162468&set=a.499887395477466 Congrats to Jeff Farley for his special effects work on the film!!
  85. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02nrMTaTu9gpyWV7YRYCWCdrZV9JCnViPqEMdwEL6rtdFBGqwXg2uSefeS3oEdb3T5l&id=100063524324779 Abruptio award at the Motor City Nightmares Film Festival
  86. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02Qr8P3CpmKL3iCZc5NPvYsrMPH5tjDQ6VSsvH8JkB6Cph7JgctM6JY32Ey2Uraci8l&id=100063524324779 Film Invasion LA awards

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