Introducing one of the most unsettling and creepiest films horror fans will ever experience, Mad God. The film begins with a stranger descending downwards in a vessel that takes him deep underground into a dark world filled with madness, creatures and disturbing horror.
The unknown person lands, and the vessel opens; they check their map, which is barely still in one piece and begin a mysterious mission. Travelling to a secret destination will not be easy as this new world is packed with murderous monsters who will gladly kill any strangers lurking around. But what is this world? Is it another dimension? Is it hell? And what is the stranger trying to achieve by sneaking around?
Mad God is best described as a fantasy horror film. A directional debut by Phil Tippet, the film was created with a well-known stop motion animation style. According to IMDb, it took the director more than thirty years to fulfil and create the full feature for the big screen. Also writing this film, Phil is no stranger to visual effects and stop-motion. His experience began in 1980, and he would later use his craft on blockbuster hits, including Robocop 2, Jurassic Park and Starship Troopers. Mad God speaks loudly as a passion project. Is Phil’s work on-screen just another stop motion or a work of art unlike movie lovers have ever seen?
The animation and puppetry work is an outstanding highlight, and every second on-screen looks tremendous and stunning. It’s equally impressive that the stop motion can deliver many uncomfortable moments for audiences to experience. Some scenes could even force the viewer to look away, given the brutal or bloody content. It’s a stop motion creation unlike anything I’ve ever seen, and naturally, this is the best praise of the entire film. The soundtrack is quirky and highly fitting, and effective throughout the film.
As for the plot, that’s a challenging aspect to explain. The storyline here is extremely vague. Apart from gaining an understanding of the stranger wandering around a world of horror with a map, it feels as if this film doesn’t have a solid plot that is clear for audiences. An engaging storyline isn’t offered, nor is there any audible dialogue. Each scene is a new situation, with new monsters or a new brief moment that differs from everything else.
Overall, this film is visually flawless, and the skill and craft of stop-motion deliver horrifying scenes unlike anything I have ever seen in cinema. As the credits rolled, it’s evident that this film is a passion project that has taken time and patience. However, suppose you are seeking a deep storyline. In that case, you won’t find one here, as the film carries zero audible dialogue, and some moments are either vague or perhaps a little confusing to truly understand. The entirety of this film is a wild journey.
6.8/10
6th June 2022
Written by Peter Walkden
WALKDEN ENTERTAINMENT
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