The Soultangler

The Soultangler is a 1987 independent horror film directed by Pat Bishow and starring Bill Bernhard, Jennifer Brown, and Tom Ciorciari. This cult favorite loosely fits into the Lovecraftian horror genre with its exploration of ancient horrors, unthinkable creatures and the thin line separating life and death.

The film stages an eerie narrative filled with suspense, dark mystery, cosmic horrors and twisted sequences of madness. The movie is centered on Dr. Anton Lupesky (played by Bill Bernhard), a zany, deranged and depraved scientist who has unearthed a revolutionary discovery. Lupesky, with his unparalleled ambitions, seeks to defy the ultimate barrier: death itself. He has developed a potent drug that slyly employs parasites to draw the barrier between life and the afterlife.

This unspeakable formula, a drug distilled from a rare and mystical fish only found in an obscure part of the ocean, can not only resuscitate the dead but also transport the living into the bodies of the deceased. However, the transcendence holds a hefty price: those injected with the drug lose their autonomy, becoming a mere marionette controlled by Lupesky and the parasitic beings. Furthermore, the treatment leads to temporary psychoses and horrific hallucinations, giving the movie spine-chilling, nightmarish dimensions.

Jennifer Brown underscores the investigative reporter Louise (whose father died under Lupesky's care) as the lead character, alongside her partner Candace (starring Tom Ciorciari) who is a medical examiner with a knack for unveiling dark secrets. As they suspect the actual intentions and consequences of the experiment, they delve deeper into the ramifications, leading to a tangle of surreal experiences, eerie occurrences, and grim confrontations.

As the narrative unfolds, the movie leads the viewer into a realm of atmospheric horror, marked by psychedelic sequences, juxtaposed realities, and perpetual abyss. What follows is an incredible series of horrific, surreal exploits, where the protagonists battle the insanity unfurling around them, aiming to thwart Lupesky's grandeur plans, before they are ensnared in the ever-tangling web of his cosmic manipulation.

The Soultangler’s unusual storyline stands as a unique concoction of undulating horror elements, blending orgiastic madness, supernatural intrigue, and biological terror. Alongside this, the film's experience is further magnified by its commendable performances, eerie soundtrack, and its low-budget, yet impactful visual effects. The film flawlessly captures a palpable sense of looming dread and hideous wonder, delineated through the film's unsettling cinematography and grotesque set pieces.

Bill Bernhard gives an inspired performance as the frenzied and unwavering Lupesky. His character, an ambitious scientist going to unimaginable lengths to pursue his groundbreaking discovery, exudes a chilling aura of deranged madness and intense fixation. On the other hand, Jennifer Brown shines as the brave and persistent investigative reporter, Louise, whose determination to uncover the truth provides the narrative with an engaging thread. Tom Ciorciari, portraying the compassionate medical examiner, adds another layer of intrigue to the story, as he attempts to expose Lupesky's dangerous practices.

Impenetrably bizarre and relentlessly chilling, The Soultangler is an esoteric gem of the horror genre that creatively borrows Lovecraftian themes of existential dread, the occult, and the dark aftermath of scientific endeavors edging on the supernatural. The director, Pat Bishow, brings in an original perspective and audacious storytelling, utilizing the limited production values to cement The Soultangler’s position as a cult classic in the horror genre. With its surreal charm, necromantic themes, the film's uniquely potent atmosphere of cosmic horror and insanity continues to attract a dedicated following among aficionados of genre cinema.

The complementing musical score adds an evocative and eerie overtone, enhancing the overall eeriness of the narrative. Despite its low-budget production, the film offers an elaborate spectacle of gore and horror, with the visual effects making a marked impact.

Like a haunting nightmare straight from the depths of the subconscious, The Soultangler’s world of parasitic possession, twisted science, and the existential terror promises a journey into the bizarre that stays with the viewer long after the movie ends. It is a must-watch for those who appreciate independent horror movies with unusual and intriguing storylines.