Parts Unknown

Parts Unknown is a captivating horror movie released in 2018 that delivers a unique blending of professional wrestling action with sleek horror elements. Directed by Rick Chandler, the movie stars William DeCoff, Alexandra Cipolla, and Sarah Michelle, whose powerful performances elevate the film's underlying themes of familial loyalty, redemption, and violence.

Parts Unknown follows the life of a worn-out professional wrestler, Herman (William DeCoff), whose career has been riddled with violence both in and out of the ring. Battling personal demons and a tarnished reputation, his deep immersion in the world of wrestling is laid bare, illustrating the darkness that lies beneath the surface glitz and glamor of showbiz. In a bid to reclaim his lost fame, Herman, alongside his wrestling-addicted family, is thrust on a path of blood, pain, and sacrifice.

The set-up of Parts Unknown takes the viewers into the lives of the Luster family, once a revered clan in the wrestling world, now haunted by their history of violence and struggling with the downfall of their wrestling careers. Roaming the roads of Boston's underbelly, they seek to return to their past glory, fueled by an insatiable lust to regain celebrity status. Herman's wife, Kitty (Alexandra Cipolla), herself a retired professional wrestler, is also intricately drawn into this brutal world. Likewise, Herman's sister, Lacey (Sarah Michelle), who once had potential as an up-and-coming wrestling star, gets embroiled in the whirlpool of destruction and resurrection, bound by the relentless need to uphold their family legacy.

Director Rick Chandler has managed to weave wrestling, an unconventional backdrop for a horror movie, successfully into the narrative. The film vividly explores the disturbing blend of fame-seeking, violence-laden paths of the characters, each carrying a psychological complexity. Through emotive performances of the leads, Parts Unknown unfolds as a gripping saga of a family's desperate quest for salvation and renegotiation of their past.

The twisted story-line of Parts Unknown is further elevated by the stylized cinematographic vision, creating a haunting and grim atmosphere that adds intense depth to the narrative. It's a brutal spectacle filled with raw action sequences that are reminiscent of professional wrestling bouts. Yet, the audience is equally drawn into exploring the characters' inner turmoil set amongst the murky wrestling alleys of Boston.

William DeCoff delivers a compelling performance as the bitter and disillusioned Herman, whose portrayal of a man grappling with internal demons and a dying career is convincingly poignant. The fierceness and vulnerability of Alexandra Cipolla as Kitty and the resilience and confusion of Sarah Michelle as Lacey are illustrated in their powerhouse performances, creating affecting and memorable characters.

Parts Unknown is not just about the gore and shock; its strength lies in its exploration of layered characters who fight their personal and professional battles. The film straddles the boundaries between horror and wrestling, delivering a visceral viewing experience that challenges the audience's perception of both genres. Moreover, Parts Unknown sketches a cautionary tale about the intoxication of fame and the lengths people can go to seize it.

However, Parts Unknown is more than a mere horror film. It questions the price of fame and the exploitation and disillusionment tied to showbiz. At its core, it is a film about a dysfunctional wrestling family, their fall from grace, their violent means to redemption, and their struggle against their inner demons. Elements of supernatural and cosmic horror find their space in the storyline, adding an additional layer of complexity to the narrative.

Moreover, the movie provides insightful commentary on gender roles within the ring, by focusing on female wrestlers Kitty and Lacey. These characters negotiate their identity and power within the predominantly masculine world of professional wrestling, contributing meaningfully to the narrative depth of the film.

To conclude, Parts Unknown offers a refreshingly original spin to the horror genre, merging it adroitly with the world of professional wrestling. It ventures beyond the usual clichés of horror films, tackling underlying social issues and psychological depth of its key characters. This film will appeal to fans of horror as well as those intrigued by the shadowy world of wrestling, making Parts Unknown an ambitious and gritty venture worth watching.