Deathgasm

Deathgasm is a cult horror-comedy film from New Zealand that was released in 2015. The movie skillfully combines hilarity with horror to produce an entertaining, blood-drenched, and riotously funny film experience. With a setting in small-town Kiwi suburbia, the film is centered around heavy metal, demons, and teenage misfits. Featuring a backdrop replete with references to heavy metal music, a generous dash of teenage angst, and a plot that is as outrageous as it is entertaining, this film is a love letter to fans of the horror and comedy genre.

Directed by Jason Lei Howden in his feature debut, Deathgasm stars Milo Cawthorne, James Joshua Blake and Kimberley Crossman, alongside a strong supporting cast. It's a film that blends the elements of teenage rebellion, the spirit of 1980s horror flicks, and the attitude of headbanging metal music to create a strangely unique cinematic concoction. Every frame of the movie seems to resonate with the passion of the director for horror, metal and humor.

Milo Cawthorne plays Brodie, a heavy metal teenager who is sent to live in a dreary conservative town with his religiously devout relatives. He is the outsider, a metalhead who tries to find his place in an environment where he sticks out like a sore thumb. Things change when he befriends Zakk, played by James Joshua Blake. Together, they form the band Deathgasm with a couple of nerd allies, play blisteringly loud metal music and ultimately stumble upon a powerful piece of sheet music codenamed "the Black Hymn".

The band's interpretation of the Black Hymn triggers an unexpected event that provides the bulk of the movie's plot, turning Deathgasm into a fast-paced, hilarious, and often gory ride, with demonic themes to boot. Kimberley Crossman plays Medina, the only apparent voice of reason in the chaos and Brodie's love interest, who becomes unwittingly embroiled in the epic disaster.

Deathgasm does not hold back in its commitment to perfectly blend heavy-metal humor and gore-drenched horror. It takes a typical rebellious teen narrative and incorporates elements that are both totally out of place and exactly where they should be. The humor is rough-around-the-edges, but effectively complements the shock-absorbed horror elements. There are moments when you'll find yourself laughing and squirming at the same time, which is a testament to the film's successful fusion of comedy and horror.

The special effects, ranging from the grotesquely shocking to the hilariously absurd moments, create an authentic setting for the movie's subversive tone. They heighten the film's atmosphere and contribute uniquely to the blend of horror, comedy, and heavy metal music. Animated sequences pay homage to metal music, full of electric color palettes and illustrating the raw power and energy of the genre.

Equally notable are the performances from the relatively young and unknown cast that bring this eccentric tale to life. Milo Cawthorne (Brodie) conveys the adolescent discomfort and rebellion remarkably, while Kimberley Crossman (Medina) shows depth to her character beyond just being the love interest.

With its unique mixture of horror, comedy and human innocence, Deadlygasm is not your standard horror-comedy. It does not rely on tired clichés and offers a fresh, albeit strange, take on the genre. The film is a love letter to metalheads and horror fans alike, offering something different in a glut of similar tired offerings. Deathgasm is a film that is not afraid to get its hands dirty and it revels in it.