​

10/10

 

If you think you have watched it all, think again!!! I have just finished watching the first run-through of DARIUSS. This Horror/ Gore/ Erotica fest feature film is not for everyone. Definitely NOT for the faint of heart, weak stomach popcorn, horror fans, or highly sensitive persons. NORMIES stay clear at all times!!! In fact, it has the possibility to make your stomach churn with bile. But, if you want to watch something unprecedented to date in the independent filmmaking sphere, this golden nugget is for you!

I had the privilege to view this film just now, and there is so much to unpack about it, I will try my best to give you a review based on my opinion and experience whilst watching this bizarre, psychedelic, mind-twisting tale of a non-conventional mortifying portrayal of a family dealing with grief in ways that will either leave you baffled for hours, sickened, or feeling as if you watched something and you have no idea what the heck just happened!
It’s about the human psyche and how far a film can take you until you are left pondering life and all its depravity. It's all levels of pure insanity. The madness takes your breath away. This film pushes boundaries I have not seen in years…and if you are brave enough to give it a go, you will see exactly what I mean.

From the introduction, right through to the very bitter end; a rollercoaster of intense emotions grabs a hold of you and doesn’t relent AT ALL!!! The intensity level is ramped up to the max and it does not damper down, there are no quiet moods or tones of lightness, it is constant darkness and bone chilling visuals, suspense and tension, imagery, sounds, music, camera shots and photography, and still shots that each tell their own sad and appalling story. There is nothing implemented into this film that doesn’t have a purpose or a goal – the attention to detail is sublime.

I have to admit, I needed a quick coffee break halfway through, to regroup, and refocus – as there is so much packed into the first half. I do wonder if this film is intended for a male audience more so than us females? Whether it’s due to the fact I’m a female reviewing this, I don’t know, but if I was supposed to feel a certain way about this, for its gross factor and the uncomfortable images, I think I handled it very well considering it is a visceral story about some of the darkest taboos in life. As this will be a relatable story to a lot of people, the ones who understand the complex emotions and torment running through as a major thread, I think people will identify in some way to the agonising twists and turns and the full-on hard-core events that occur in this film. I will appreciate the artform it delivers in abundance.

If you know me, you will know that I review horror movies on YouTube live streams every couple of weeks, in collaboration with my friend's podcast. We both agree that horror has taken a backwards slide and that there is nothing out there getting us excited anymore. Hollywood is losing their footing. Independent filmmakers seem to be the ones carrying horror along. Usually it’s hit and miss when it comes to indie filmmaking. You will also know we are endeavouring to keep horror alive and not bow down to the highly sensitive people (HSP) in the world who regard the horror genre as something that needs to be diluted, watered down, to make it palatable for the Normies of this world. In fact, DARIUSS, although it made me squirm, took me out of my comfort zone, gave me a true sense of horror in the world, the shock value being enormous and instrumental – it confirms to me that there are movies and filmmakers out there like Guerrilla Metropolitana, who can remain true to their vision, regardless of how diabolical it can be for others to ingest.

I got the sense that this is a personal project, perhaps a way to express something dark seeded within the filmmaker himself. Is he facing his own demons? Guerrilla Metropolitana plays the Maniac character in the film. As you will see, this film has an element of demonic, dark horrid imagery to make even the most desensitized horror fan wonder what the hell they just observed and absorbed!

The intimate POV in the extreme graphic parts is something I have not come across since the era of the 80’s when anything went. When censorship wasn’t as rigorous as it is now. An age when horror produced some of our favourite movies of all time. The only comparison I can draw from this, is the likes of Sir Peter Jackson and his first three horror movies, Bad Taste (1989) Braindead (1993) and Meet the Feebles (1995.) I have not seen anything to this calibre since then; it’s chilling, the sound effects gruesome, and even without dialogue, (yes you heard that right! There is absolutely no dialogue, but it does not matter in this instance as it is superfluous) with the watcher only having to rely on their senses, total attention is needed to piece the storyline together (if you can!) And there is a storyline in there somewhere, believe me!

Characterization is instrumental in this film. The actors and actresses take this seriously. You can tell by the way they act out their scenes. It’s the characters that keep you invested in the complexities of this film. They have a purpose to present themselves as tormented and devastated – they do not disappoint.

Visually, I am mind blown. Every camera shot and video clip has a purpose and an intention. Attention to detail is thorough, well developed, and precise. Once you get through the intense sexual elements, the erotica, the in-your-face body shots (and trust me there are a few!) you can appreciate the film for what it is – a game changer in the world of weird and bizarre horror with a dark demented twist! Giving us a full-on experience into the minds and actions of a family broken in every way possible; physically, mentally, emotionally, and a whole heap of other uncomfortable feelings. This film will not bring you joy and happiness!

The cinematography is outstanding! It’s one thing I really love to focus on when it comes to movie reviews. This has intimate close-up shots that seem to brand themselves into your brain. There are symbolic elements woven in animalistic, hypnotic, and subliminal messaging that if you blink, you miss! So, pay very close attention the entire way through to after the credits, to see what happens.
The way the scenes segway seamlessly together is masterful.

Although some of the scenes are brutal, diabolical, and unnerving, we can see that Guerrilla Metropolitana is a master filmmaker. Not only does he deliver a film unmatched and unprecedented for our time; the editing is gripping, inspirational, intimate, and encapsulates the madness this film invokes.

The tones ebb from light to dark at the beginning, in a wonderfully crafted way. Subtly, we see a shift as the intensity level rises. There is excellent use of colour, and then the switches to black and white, with psychedelic undertones, is done with skill. The colour red is a motif throughout the film. We see it everywhere. It’s significant to the theme. The tone changes and morphs into dark, moody, and helps to set the scene. Each scene has their own valuable role to play in the storyline, adding layering and texture to the overall plot, quite eloquently. I also get the sense of experimentation happening, with the lighting, the sound effects, artwork, and camera angles. They all make everything visceral and painfully obvious. With the POV you are featuring in the movie and that is definitely a terrifying experience, to say the least!

There are elements in this film that push the boundaries on many levels. Horror, as we know, is on a spectrum. Generic Hollywood big budget franchises are turning the horror genre into a joke! It’s people like Guerrilla Metropolitana who should pave the way for a new type of horror, it’s weird, bizarre, terrifying and all in all, it’s a game changer for the world of art house cinema and the extreme horror genre!

Don’t try to understand the storyline too much, as there are more questions than answers. Perhaps dare to watch it a couple of times to get the full effect.

Sometimes, the best ones are the ones that keep us thinking about a movie truly makes us feel inside after viewing it. Is it bad to like a feature film like this and to appreciate it for all its wonderful elements, without people thinking one to be sadistic or psychotic? It made me think about my own moral compass of what is acceptable and what is not! But to tell the truth, I have written stories that push the boundaries too and are just as explicit in content and nature. I’ve read books a hundred times worse than this. I can hear the HSP screaming at me right now. Get a grip! Think about it this way. If this was in book form, would there be so much controversy behind it? Truthfully, it is only because of the medium and that it is presented in film, with in-your-face visuals, that is probably causing the fuss behind it.

Yes, it’s sickening and graphic in places, but it should be remembered for its visual and sound effects, music, cinematography, photography and art, more so than focusing on the sensitivities this film provokes. The music, as I mentioned, was composed by Guerrilla Metropolitana and a couple of other people. It plays an integral part in enhancing the scenes and for setting the tone. It’s very moody, dark, creepy, and beautiful at the same time.

The setting for each scene feels and looks authentic and realistic. There are several location changes. It’s easy enough to grasp the totality of the scenes as we shift between first-person POV and third-person POV. The first-person POV gives the viewer a personal and intimate experience. So, be warned, it gets messy! I feel the chaos is well enough contained and vital to the story arc.

I was still thinking about the concept, the storyline, the visuals, and what it all meant, well, after the film ended. It does that grips you into a psychedelic conundrum of extreme and graphic horror. Only for those who can hold onto their senses and their stomach acids can get through this film. I commend you if you make it through to the end. As this is an hour long, there is no way I could have gone on very much longer, as the intensity was so overwhelming!

I support independent filmmakers taking a risk. I’m all for vision. I want to and expect to see passion coming from the team behind the scenes. The fact this took nearly an entire year to edit tells me dedication and hard work went into making this what it is – a highly controversial film for our time. In an article I read, where Metropolitana was being interviewed, he mentioned the toll this film took on his mental health. He had three mental breakdowns, and the last one was the most severe. I know a lot about mental health through my own experiences. I can sense the pain through this film that he must have been feeling. I can see he put his heart and soul into this.

In reality, the world is no worse off for having films like this in the horror sphere. Although this is the work of fiction, this is actually true horror at its most diabolical, and there are people all over the world who actually live like this on the daily.

I highly recommend this to true gore horror fans, and for any filmmaker out there who wants to see something brilliant unfold, something to inspire towards perhaps? As I mentioned above, in the trigger warnings, use your brain. If you think you can handle a good one, if not, look the other way. Ladies out there, this is an acquired taste, so if you are prone to being triggered, PLEASE watch the trailer first before you decide to deep dive into the abyss.

You might walk away from this feeling slightly ill and dirty, or, like I did, come away from it with a sense of hope! I hoped it was beautiful but a psychedelic experience and a halfway through to that we have finally found an independent filmmaker to turn the tide when it comes to the horror genre. Will it take someone of this calibre to save the horror genre from dying off completely? Or becoming more CGI and greenscreen, with terrible writers and lazy filmmakers? I guess we will have to wait and see the end result when this film is released.

​

- Award Winning Writer 

Del Gibson

​

-------------------------------------------------------------

​

Rarely is a filmmaker willing to take risks to deliver a masterpiece. This is one of those rare moments.

​

It's hard to know where to even start, so let's start with the cinematography. From the first scene, you're thrust into a visual art style that I never knew possible. Some scenes are done in the old style cinema authentic film way, and other scenes are done in a unique way using colours to push you into feeling an emotion. Some scenes feel soft and nostalgic, making you feel like you're experiencing a memory that you never had, but yet you feel you have. Other scenes feel brutal and harsh, pushing the boundaries of your emotions. Making you fight with yourself, you don't want to look, but you are forced to look. The need to know what will happen next compels you to watch. You realize you're not dealing with a film makers art. you're dealing with an individual who isn't afraid of controversy. You're diving into a pool of dark desires and sadistic pleasures that you won't admit to liking, but deep down, you do.

 

Next, we go into the music, which again is done with an artistic touch that, for the most part, is subtle but haunting. Some musical elements that you wouldn't think go well together blend in a way that is evervescent. For example, Erie music blended with child voices that will stick to your mind.

 

Now, I won't go deep into the story as I don't want to give away spoilers. The first layer of the story is how a family copes with the loss of a child. Several mysterious events surround the death of the child. Each time you watch, you might end up with a different conclusion. That's how well crafted the wicked and talented writer of this story is. Be warned this film will consume you, and you will watch it multiple times. 

​

If you're ready to step into the deep depths of a writer, poet, madman, pervert, or visual artist, then you are ready for Dariuss.

​​

- Rogelio Rios