Primordial (2015)

Sadly Over-hyped

Horrible, fascist and poorly acted

The movie runs out of plot and jokes well before the end of a two-hour running time, long for a light comedy.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Yeah, I dug this mean little flick A LOT, although I'm probably biased since it triggered beloved memories of those cheap sordid violent flicks Richard Kern crafted in the 80s and 90s. Please note that my use of the term "flick" here is not pejorative or dismissive... I use that term as a badge of honor reserved for low budget indie films which transcend their humble origins by successfully telling a tough no-nonsense story in tough no-nonsense terms.Marylee Osborne is fantastic in the lead role as Valerie, who harbors some seriously sadistic tendencies but keeps them bottled up, until the right opportunity provides a way to indulge her inner demons. It's so cool to see a female lead playing a dangerously-edgy character, with the physical presence required to make her a credible threat.Film is technically primitive but that actually does justice to the material, creating an appropriately gritty and desperate atmosphere. There is a clandestine, almost voyeuristic feel in following Valerie's descent into the depths.Most people will probably be repulsed by this, or will be distracted by its technical shortcomings, but I was glued to the screen, and I applaud everyone involved for their work.

Primordial is a clear example of the evolution of promising director Eric Widing. By evolution I do not mean that drastic change to appeal to another "type" of audience that sadly most directors, artists, even musicians do in time, but through consistent work and the same creative process he used in Hellhounds. Widing's greatest achievement in this film comes from exploring the female psychopath mind, rather than offering us yet another male psycho perspective like thousands that are already out there. The twisted main character's personality is shown in a very crude way, without taking into consideration those female "characteristics" that women are mostly known for. Strong female characters are good for women! Valerie is the finest example of how a potentially smart woman wastes her life while not realizing her true strength.The intense relationship between Valerie and her friend Tina deserves a special mention just for the strong interaction they developed, which could be seen as the key path to Valerie's emotions. You know what they say, "it is the thing we love most that destroys us," in unexpected ways. I admit that I also laughed plenty of times as much as I was shocked by their performances, which is very positive in my opinion.I also really enjoyed Valerie's revenge. The preparation, the ritual, and the dark determination are very memorable. To kill could be a catharsis for those who deserve it. The last scene is very well made; it gave me goosebumps and kept me more engaged in the film and the character than I already was. I could also highlight Valerie's friendship with the men she later realized were dangerous bastards, which is a unique portrayal of the destructive friendships we are surrounded by in our lives. And finally, that sadomasochistic lesbian scene, I must confess, really pleased my personal sexual aesthetic taste.On the technical side, the editing, lighting and music create an effective atmosphere. Especially the music since I am myself an extreme metal lover. What else could mix better than prolonged sadistic violence and extreme music?In spite of these statements, I assume that people who do not like horror or sadistic gore will not find beauty in the grotesque nature of this film. I have read some criticism on the film's disturbing content, but hey, Widing is not exactly making a comedy. Though, for those who enjoy the genre I would give you my highest recommendation with confidence. Here in Latin America, I have already shown this film to two people who also loved it.I am definitely looking forward to seeing more of his works in the future. Widing has my unqualified professional endorsement and my deep respect.

Eric is one of my favorite ' dark art chaos' directors. His work reminds me of Oliver Stone's 'Natural Born Killers'..there are messages inside of messages in an art house manner. It is like being on an evil desperate trip that confounds the mind. Made to make you look beneath the surface of our madness. The chaos makes me want to open the directors head and fumble about to see what makes him tick. The casting is done well, and each character brings their own depth into the art itself. We've got to remember, art is subjective and delivers to each individual accordingly. I want to see more work from Eric Widing!

This is writer/director Eric Widing's second full feature film. The first, Hellhounds, was a unique film that assaulted the senses with wide use of color and sound. In Primordial, Widing still makes use of sound to assault the senses but makes beautiful use of black and white for serene nature scenes. It was unique to see some of the high paced action with heavy metal music lead into these beautiful, serene scenes shot in black and white.Widing does a spectacular job with the writing and directing. Widing stated a lot of his inspiration came from things that have happened to him, that he's heard has happened, or that he's dreamed. There is a particular scene that he stated in the commentary was inspired by a dream which is truly horrifying for the viewer. The writing itself is very down-to-earth and the casual conversations felt like something friends would normally have.The actors were phenomenal with Marylee Osborne portraying a woman, Valerie, who is already down and out of luck finally getting to act out her darkest fantasies and going on a downward spiral into deeper alcoholism. Erin Ryan portrays Tina, one of Valerie's closest friend, who is going through some trouble herself which gives Valerie something to hold onto for majority of the film. Adam Clevenger is Tayshawn, a gangster that upon first meeting appears to be a stereotype but soon shows how well developed his character is. Clevenger brilliantly describes and performs horrendous acts with no remorse.Widing also inserted several easter eggs for fans of the various indie films from Ohio that the fans will get excited to see.Overall an excellent film that is highly recommended!