Elliot

Director - Craig Jacobson (Alligator Bitch)

Starring - Joshua Coffy, Cassandra Sechler (Dolly Deadly, The Glory Hole), and Craig Jacobson

Release Date - 2017

Genre - Sci-Fi

Tagline - "Innocence breeds cruelty in the realm of desire"

Format - DVD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Last week I spent a good portion of my time digging through some of the SRS catalog that I had accumulated since the beginning of the pandemic.  Some were purchases during their pandemic sale while others were recent arrivals from MVD for review.  Some of the films were let downs while others were really fun.  I took a little break from the SRS releases and decided to spin a few other movies I recently received before going back to the DVD retro line from SRS.  The first one on this week's chopping block is Elliot from director Craig Jacobson.  This looked like it was going to be a strange one and damn if it wasn't.  I want to thank MVD for sending this one over.  

     The film follows Elliot, a lonely low level employee in some in a crumbling factory in a dystopian society.  His only himan interactions are with his boss through the video monitor or the guards tasked with forcing him to work.  In his down time he escapes his reality but soon those moments start to bleed into the real world as his mind melts from the stress of his day.

     I didn't know what to expect from Elliot but it was definitely unique and very different.  The movie hits different but I thoroughly enjoyed it.  It dared to do something different and didn't follow trends or attempt a quick cash grab.  After watching this one I decided to do some searching around the web where I found conflicting accounts on the making of this one.  This is part of the SRS retro line which is strange considering it was released in 2017 according to imdb but a few sites have stated that this film was originally shot in 1999.  I couldn't find concrete evidence but the 1999 would make more sense to put it with the retro line.  The acting in this one is pretty solid.  The characters are very different than most movies I've reviewed but I really liked how strange they were.  The cast really got into their roles and it shows.  With that being said, some of the dialogue heavy scenes do get a little awkward at times.  The story for this one is a little dry at times but it's ambitious and bold which pays off.  Sci-fi and horror alike has seen movies where people fantasize about a different life until the point that their mind bends or snaps.  It's nothing new or original.  However, having it set against the backdrop of a mechanized world and forced labor really makes it feel more real.  The movie does have a slow pace about it so those looking for something more fast paced will struggle with this one but if you want something different then I would suggest being patient and letting this one play out.  Finally, the film is not one I would call bloody or gory but it is overflowing with visual and practical effects.  The sets in this one are great and we get some crazy make-up designs along with some practical effects.  As I said, it's not a bloody film but the movie does look impressive.  Overall, Elliot will be one you either turn off fairly early on or you finish it and love it.  This is a movie that those looking for something well polished with a gripping story will be very disappointed with.  However, those looking for a dark and bleak sci-fi film will really enjoy it.