The luxurious cruise ship, the Elder of the Seas, is sailing the oceans, filled with passengers socialising and revelling while travelling worldwide for sixty days. Initially, everyone seems to be having a wonderful time, enjoying fine dining, partying, and drinking. However, the joyful atmosphere quickly takes a turn when some passengers hear strange chanting and distant screams. It’s soon apparent that an evil presence is on board the ship, and the fate of the passengers is uncertain. An SOS message is sent out from the cruise ship, warning the receiver that something is on board and that the sender strongly advises against sending help.
A one-person army is sent to investigate the dangerous ship: Special Agent Legrasse (Jason Trost). While travelling to the vessel, Legrasse is briefed by headquarters. The Elder of the Seas went offline forty-eight hours ago and is entirely off course. Legrasse must board the ship quietly and assess the situation. His primary objective is not to rescue the ship or its passengers but to secure any technology or evidence that could interest headquarters. Legrasse has twelve hours to complete his mission.
Upon arriving at his destination and boarding the ship, Legrasse discovers it appears entirely deserted, with no survivors. As he explores, he continually records audio logs of his findings. However, the deeper he goes into the ship, the more he begins to describe strange and unexplainable visions from his past. Even more baffling is when Legrasse encounters a lone survivor named Francis (Tallay Wickham), who has been placed in the ship’s jail cell and remains unaffected by all the chaos. Can Legrasse and Francis uncover the truth behind the ship’s mysterious events? Will they find a way to defeat the ultimate evil and prevent the ship from reaching the mainland before it affects the rest of the world?
The Waves of Madness is a horror film incorporating significant adventure elements and a vital mystery aspect. Key plot points include an unknown presence on the cruise ship and Special Agent Legrasse’s late wife. The film was written and directed by Jason Trost, who also stars as Special Agent Legrasse. Trost is not a first-time director, though, having co-directed The FP (2011), FP2 (2018), and All Superheroes Must Die (2011), as well as several other film-related projects.
Writer/Director Jason Trost
It’s important to note that this film presents a concept and an experience unlike anything previously seen in cinema. The Waves of Madness is, in fact, the world’s first side-scrolling feature film, and it pays significant tribute to both classic action-packed video games and classic monster films. Given Trost’s previous work in film, it’s clear that he deeply appreciates video games and cinema!
The film successfully presents an entertaining concept. Although the opening feels rough in terms of plot, once Special Agent Legrasse enters the scene, I was fully engaged in the horror adventure at sea. At first, the side-scrolling format takes some getting used to, but the film wisely breaks up this constant movement with flashbacks and haunting visions, which provide a welcome pause from viewing various side scrolls. Additionally, I must commend the film’s score by James Harding, as it creates a great atmosphere throughout the film’s duration.
I thoroughly enjoyed Jason Trost’s performance as Special Agent Legrasse. He is clearly having a great time portraying this character, and his confidence on-screen is admirable. Legrasse’s movements, mannerisms, gun handling, and various lines of dialogue reminded me of the gaming character Chris Redfield, Resident Evil’s iconic video game character. Another standout performance comes from Tally Wickham as Francis, who delivers joyful and upbeat dialogue while interacting with the focused agent. Ryan Gibson, who plays Dr. Birkin, was also excellent; he not only contributed engaging montages but also shared informative insights about the film’s lead with finesse and a sense of mystery. Unfortunately, some supporting performances detract from the overall quality of the movie in comparison to the primary leads.
This film features a straightforward outline with just over an hour’s runtime. However, some plot details are vague or unclear, particularly regarding the evil presence and the main villain. Though these aspects are forgivable, action sequence enthusiasts will be thrilled by the exciting finale, pivotal moments, and unexpected twists, although some of these reveals can be anticipated. The end credits are advantageous, offering a sneak peek at what viewers can expect in the future. Trust me, it’s exhilarating, and I can’t wait for more!
Overall, The Waves of Madness presents a unique Australian cinematic experience as the world’s first side-scrolling film. It is not just an experience; it is an entertaining movie that particularly appeals to fans of horror and fun entertainment with memorable characters, and a storyline inspired by famous horror video games. Writer and director Jason Trost, who also stars as the film’s lead, has taken on an ambitious challenge by utilising green screen technology and CGI to create and edit the playful visuals. His passion for cinema, horror, and gaming is brilliantly evident throughout the film. The chemistry and performance between Jason Trost and Tally Wickham are also exceptional. This film may be light on the plot outline, but it is filled with cleverness, incredible action scenes, solid visual effects, and sheer fun. Strap in, survive, and fight—this is a wild ride!
FILM SCORE: 7.0/10
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Published: 3rd December 2024
Written by: Peter Walkden
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