Iguana

Iguana is a distinctly evocative, obscure cult classic released in 1988 that weaves a tumultuous tale of existential despair, harbored vengeance, and oppressively foreboding environments. Immersing viewers in a strikingly unique blend of drama and psychological horror, the movie takes the audience on a trip into the disturbed mind of a physically disfigured man tormented by his past. Aided by a compelling cast, including Everett McGill, Michael Bradford, and Roger Kendall, Iguana presents a narrative that skirts the border between nightmare and reality in equal measure, leaving a lasting impression on those who choose to delve into its uncanny narrative.

The story unfolds around the life of the protagonist Oberlus (Everett McGill in a gut-wrenching performance), a sailor cursed with a repulsive, iguana-like deformity that sets him apart from his shipmates and exposes him to harsh ridicule and abuse. With cinematography steeped in heavy atmospheric shadows, every agonizing curve of Oberlus' misshapen face is etched into the viewer's psyche; a poignant mirror reflecting the indifference and cruelty meted out by societal norms towards those who do not fit in.

Driven to the edge by the relentless torment, Oberlus makes a daring escape, finding himself marooned on a desolate island disconnected from the rest of the world. However, rather than a tale of survival, Iguana plunges deeper into the human psyche's darkness. Seizing this isolation as an opportunity, Oberlus embarks on a terrifying endeavor, turning the table on his oppressors by establishing a bizarre kingdom where he, the former outcast, now reigns supreme. In his warped dominion, he judges those who cross his path with the same unfeeling derision that he himself once faced.

Michael Bradford and Roger Kendall lend impeccable support to McGill, occupying the uncomfortable roles of the first unwilling inhabitants of Oberlus' terrible kingdom. Bradford, in particular, delivers a powerfully nuanced performance as an initially unabashed antagonist who soon finds himself crushed under the weight of Oberlus' malevolence.

The movie’s bleak atmosphere and visual eloquence heighten its psychological undertones. Director Monte Hellman, known for his past cult masterpieces, draws out both chilling authenticity and emotional complexity from his actors. Iguana's stylistic influences reflect a fascinating fusion of the cold horror undertones of European cinema and the naked psychological openness of the New Hollywood era. Moreover, the score hauntingly underscores the unfurling horror and revenge drama, with the island's rocky and grimly desolate landscapes perfectly captured by the camera to reflect Oberlus' mind-scape.

Iguana's script also shines by featuring an ensnaring interplay of dread and desperation while steering clear of easy solutions or overt judgements. Instead, it focuses on showcasing the profound horrors that take root when a broken human spirit is torn between a desperate need for acceptance and the thirst to inflict pain born out of relentless torments.

Much of what makes this movie a captivating experience is its successful exploration of the gray areas of morality. The audience is drawn into sympathizing with a monstrous creature who isn't just a victim of his deformity but a man broken by society's torment and rejection.

However, Iguana is not a simple revenge saga; it presents no classic heroes or clear-cut villains. Instead, it spurs the audience into a discourse on mankind’s innate cruelty, society's mistreatment of 'difference', and the toll it takes on individuals forced to the fringes. It's a harsh reflection on the depravity that arises when one is continually stripped of their humanity and compelled to retaliate in kind.

With Iguana, 1988 saw a movie release that, despite its dark themes and disturbing undertones, proved impossible to ignore. It is melancholic, thought-provoking, and genuinely unsettling, depicting the struggle of one man against societal judgment. As such, it stands as a testament to the raw, often unnerving power cinema possesses when it delves into the darkest corners of the human existence with unflinching honesty, however grotesque those corners may be. While not a typical choice for light-hearted viewing, it’s an essential film for those who appreciate the exploration of humanity's darkest depths.