When the Screaming Starts

When The Screaming Starts (Grimmfest 9th Oct 2021).

A down-at-heel documentary film maker begins to follow a cinema usher (and former black metal guitarist) who has decided to become a serial killer.

A terrifically entertaining black comedy utilising an energetic ensemble. Equally funny in highlighting the mundanities of everyday existence for the central anti hero and character clashes as the plot develops.

The synopsis makes it sound like Man Bites Dog or Behind The Mask but this flick is savvy in avoiding aping superficially similar productions and carving it's own path.

What's particularly impressive is how the performances and thoughtful editing ensure the film maintains its energy through the final act as the story moves away from humour and into grim irony.

Highly recommended.

There is a fine line between laughing and crying. When The Screaming Starts straddles this line, gently rocking itself side to side, possibly whilst holding it's knees.

At a time when serial killer fetishism seems to be at an all time high, When The Screaming Starts pokes fun at the nature of the mastermind killer whilst making us ask questions of ourselves as the audience for why we find more interest in the murderers tale than the victims.

A deep reverence for horror is abundent throughout the film, whilst rarely falling into the outright horror genre itself.

FFO: What We Do In The Shadows, Deathgasm, Creep 2.

Attempting to find a new outlet in his life, a wannabe serial killer enlists a documentarian to follow him on a quest to find enough followers to lead a cult of like-minded killers through a home invasion, forcing him to question his interests in continuing his career to follow the psychopath.

There's a lot to like with this one. One of the finest efforts here is the rather strong sense of comedy injected into the setup that keeps this one going quite nicely with the darkness of the material present. The formula of the cameras following the killer around and showing the various attempts at going through with killing someone features a rather nice amount of commentary on the nature of being a serial killer since this goes for the odd turn of having the women be the more bloodthirsty while the men are the more hesitant to carry it out. This gives the first half quite a lot to enjoy about it as the goofy atmosphere established at this point carries on throughout this one here that gives everything a solid touch. There were only a few issues to be had here, with the film feeling incredibly odd with the glamorization of a serial killer. The fact that this one tends to focus so heavily on the idea of trying to gain fame for being able to commit these gruesome murders tends to really come off in the wrong formula. This comes off quite oddly in the sense of generating a strange fascination with the killers which feels counter-productive to how this is expected to play out. Still, there's plenty of fun to be had here in the final half where it turns into a bit more of an obvious slasher film with the rampage being carried out in a goofy atmosphere that's all carried along with the same type of comedy repeated throughout here.

Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Violence and Graphic Language.

Didn't go into the film with much expectations but I was extremely surprised. It starts mostly as a comedy but has enough horror elements in it to keep most horror fans satisfied.

Personal highlight was the heavy metal sequence in the middle, it really made me laugh. And annoyingly enough the song was stuck in my head for a few days afterwards.

I was surprised to find it was largely a debut performance and direction from the cast and crew. I'd be interested to see what they do in the future and if they decide to make a sequel. There's enough legs in the story and enough interesting characters to suggest there might be more. I'd love to know more about Mickey.

There is one scene I love above all others. It caught me by surprise and I've watched it over and over again. I hope you love it too. It is set in a park and was totally unexpected. Yet, it provides the motivation for what preceded it. Yes, this next comment is out of context but I enjoyed the film's soundtrack. See the film and the forgoing will make sense.

The film starts out as a documentary. Aidan is the subject of Norman Graysmith's documentary. Graysmith explores the world of Aidan. Aidan is the man who approaches you in a pub and chats and you think ... I'll make an excuse and leave, with a mixture of pity and fear. The film follows the adventures of Aidan and his girlfriend and his 'family'. They form an eclectic mixture of the loveable through to the frighteningly scary. Okay, I thought the acting was superb. I imagine this was not the easiest film to direct with such a mixture of comedy and horror, yet, it is done masterfully.

One moment I was captivated by the humour of the interaction within the group ... the next hands shielding my face in terror. Get your popcorn and your choice of beverage, turn off the phone - this is a treat.