Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: CULT HERO [Fantasia International Film Festival 2022 - Virtual]
The idea of a spoof within the texture of stakes is an interesting construct. With “Cult Hero” (Septentrion Shadows), the story follows would-be cult busting reality star Dale Domazar (Ry Barrett) who (like Peacemaker in a way) is a burnout who needs to find his way back to redemption without actually having a realization that he did anything wrong in any way in the first place. Balanced out in this idea is Kellie (Liv Collins), a control freak realtor/wife whose husband in a way is borderline suicidal and depressed (though the reasoning or cause per se remains unknown). The movie is all fun though and doesn't take itself too seriously which is a refreshing change (and a bit of a trend actually). Granted there is bloodletting and people acting badly for their own selfish reasoning but the over-the- top acting (of everyone basically) plays into it. Collins (who also produced and helped write the story) knows exactly the character she is playing and how to lean into it. Barrett seems to be having a blast understanding the buffoonish nature of his character without betraying it too much to the audience as far as self-awareness.
Director Jesse Thomas Hook and novelist/writer Tony Burgess (who also stars as a cult leader Domazar is up against) understand the dichotomy and irony of the people they are portraying lost in a sea of self importance. The idea is that cults are still able to make those gullible enough or desperate enough to enter their flock. The great thing about Collins' Kellie is that she understands the BS she is throwing at other characters and the caricature she is embodying while still able to call out other people on their shortcomings (specifically Domazar and her husband Brad). It is hilarious and also pitious in terms of the characters at the same time. This is never more true when Kellie has a party set to welcome home her husband when the audience totally can get why he isn't there. Her stuffing a cake in her face while saying a social media post “doesn't look so bad” is just tragic in a funny way. ”Cult Hero” is a fun romp that knows how to not take itself too seriously while still enjoying the day glo world that Domazar hopes he can live in. B
By Tim Wassberg
