Headless

"In this "lost slasher film from 1978," a masked killer wages an unrelenting spree of murder, cannibalism, and necrophilia. But when his tortured past comes back to haunt him, he plunges to even greater depths of madness and depravity, consuming the lives of a young woman and those she holds dear."

Directed by Arthur Cullipher

Written by Nathan Erdel, and Todd Rigney

Starring Shane Beasley, Ellie Church, Kelsey Carlisle

Format: Online Screener (HD)

Release: 2015

This film is a total headfuck.

You ever see one of those horror flicks where the killer does all manner of inhumane and despicable
things to their victims?  Of course you have.  You ever wonder just how they could have become so depraved and what could possibly motivate them to continue their sadistic and cruel behavior?  Maybe you have,  or maybe you didn't put any further thought into it.  Have you ever been disgusted and repulsed to the point where you couldn't continue watching?

I'm asking all these questions,  because the answers are simple: You will.  Whether or not you have,  you'll find out.  And...  you just might be.

If you haven't watched FOUND by Scott Schirmer,  you should.  Its based on the novel of the same name,  by Todd Rigney.  That story contains a film within its mythos,  and that film is HEADLESS.  Easily one of the most brutal and intregal parts to FOUND,  it was a throwback to 70s underground indie horror exploitation that drove the killer in FOUND to commit his own atrocities. FOUND was so well received by the underground horror heads (heh heh),  that it spawned a successful crowdfunding campaign for a full length HEADLESS feature.

Having just witnessed the online screener from the campaign,  my mind is blown. I now understand how such a cruel and demented killer could be created. I could feel his pain.  His nightmarish hallucinations could drive any one to such lengths.

While this film contains incredibly horrific acts of intense brutality,  they seem natural for the monster committing them.  By the time it was over I realized had thoroughly enjoyed all which I had witnessed. Then again,  I'm a fairly twisted individual that knows it's all just entertainment.  Yet,  to be entertained by such heartless acts,  to cheer along at the ghastly images,  it makes me wonder... What the fuck is wrong with me?  Also, what the fuck is wrong with Arthur Cullipher and Nathan Erdel?

Cully has masterfully crafted a film that is as equally beautiful,  surreal,  atmospheric,  and lucid as it is sickening, perverse, gut-wrenching ,  and unapologetic. He and several colleagues from FOUND (Scott Schirmer,  Nathan and Kara Erdel,  Leya Taylor, and Shane Beasley reprising his role as the killer) have given us a peak into the mind of a demon not spawned from Hell,  but birthed of the torment that was all he had ever known.

Plot and story are definitely present,  and certainly not pleasant.  Headless could have easily just been a load of graphic,  sexualized violence to satisfy the sickos - and we get plenty of that -  but a tale is to be told,  and you will understand just where is "headed"  right from the start.

This film feels like it's from 1978. It looks gorgeous,  and sounds equally appropriate.  They made sure to use the right clothes and vehicles to get the proper atmosphere going.  Don't even get me started on the roller rink.  The killer's house is dingy and disgusting, he's living in a filthy old run down building on a farm.  

Shane Beasley provides an incredible performance as the Headless killer.  In the original short from FOUND,  he didn't have to do much but kill women,  eat their eyes,  and fuck their heads.  He gives so much more in this role for the feature film. We know and experience not only the horrors and pain he inflicts,  but those he has suffered as well.

Kelsey Carlisle, Haley Madison, and Ellie Church give great performances in their roles, proving they have what it takes to be scream queen material. There is an abundance of opportunity for wailing and agony from the victims in this film, and by its very nature, these women must scream!

There is comedic relief in all this gruesome slaughter.  Brian Williams' Slick Vic is a sleazy 70s roller rink tycoon scumbag asshole, paired perfectly with Ellie Church's Betsy.  Their on-screen chemistry is undeniable.  It's like they are married or something.  I also thought the hitchhiker scene was pretty hilarious, without even trying.  

The FX are all practical and fucking top notch.  There are gallons of blood, killer gore, gruesome mutilations, and those special things that only the Headless killer does to his victims.  Everything looks great.  

The music and score are so perfect.  At times the score is haunting, and it even gets chilling what music will be heard during some of the most gruesome scenes.

Its only February the bar just got set fucking high.  This film is absolutely everything I imagined it might and be much, much more.  This will surely go down as one of the sickest, most well-executed indie films ever.  It has instantly rocketed into my top 3 ever.  I cannot wait to get the dvd, blu, and Vultra Video vhs!!!!!!!  Fucking loved every second of this sick, fucked up shit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As dark and twisted as film is collectively,  it's fun ride.  Stay in your seats,  though...  You might lose your head!

5/5 SEVERED HEADS

or

10/10 EYEBALL SNACKS