Synopsis: While filming a low-budget movie in a remote house, the lines between reality and fiction begin to blur for the cast and crew. Slowly turning from an ordinary horror movie into a real life “snuff” film.
Let me give you a little bit of backstory for the low-budget, exploitation era flick. First premiering at the Kings Court theater in Pittsburgh November 1979, Effects was quickly signed for limited distribution. After hitting a snag with said distributors, it was shelved, not getting its official wide release until 2005. Where it ended up on DVD thanks to Synapse Films. So for 26 years this flick sat collecting dust. No wide theatrical release, no home video, not even popping up on late night tv. Realistically, this film probably would have been forgotten amongst the like minded films of the era had it not been for Synapse and eventually AGFA. The American Genre Film Archive (big fan of them by the way) gave it a much deserved full 4K transfer from the original 35mm prints in 2017.
At its core, Effects is the story of filmmaker Lacey Bickel (John Harrison) making a low-budget horror film in the hills of rural Pennsylvania. When they aren’t filming, the cast and crew spend their nights partying hard. Drinking and partaking in a little “nose candy”. Basically people getting to know each other over the course of production, with some eventually pairing up. Namely, cinematographer Dominic (Joseph Pilato) and gaffer Celeste (Susan Chapek). I love the way all this was handled. It felt raw, it felt real. Almost like we’re part of the gang. Just hanging out and shooting the shit and watching it all unfold around us. Damn I miss my younger days on the set…but that’s a story for a different time.
I guess I have another “film within a film” flick to add to my list. The way Dusty Nelson incorporated that trope into Effects felt seamless. The first half of the film was more a discussion about film and kept the viewer off balance. You can sense the danger coming but you don’t know exactly how it’s going to play out. It’s just a ragtag cast and crew, doing what they can to pull together a low-budget horror film. Until the third act turn…
That’s where we get a coke fueled Bickel, grabbing a reel and throwing it on the projector for the crew to watch. On screen, they see a woman mutilated and eventually killed by a masked man and the questions begin to arise. Who made it? Is it real? How did you get your hands on it? Can we watch it again? After that, things quickly turn. We, the viewers, realize that unbeknownst to them, Bickel is secretly filming a snuff film with an unwilling cast and crew.
Personally, if not for Tom Savini doing the special effects as well as appearing in the film along with Joseph Pilato, Effects never would have hit my radar. But I’m glad it did. This surreal, atmospheric film, slow-burns its way to its ultimate finale. Leaving the viewer wondering if what they’re watching is all for the film or the twisted makings of a snuff flick, courtesy of a demented director. Either way it was one hell of a fun ride!
I’ll admit it’s not perfect, but the nostalgia that Effects gave me more than makes up for the slow start. And the payoff at the end reminded me exactly what I was here for. What any horror fan is here for. Entertainment. Just make sure you do it in a unique way.
Effects can be found on most streamers as well as physical media.
3 out of 5
So grab your popcorn, kill the lights and join me again tomorrow as we continue our journey on this strange little trip down the 31 Days of Horror rabbit hole. See you soon…
