Rottentail

Rottentail is an independent horror-comedy film from Source Point Press and directed by Brian Skiba. Released in 2018, the movie stars Dominique Swain, Corin Nemec and, William McNamara in leading roles. It was released direct-to-DVD and video on demand platforms, and has since become a cult favorite due to its unique premise and production.

The movie centers around the character of Peter Cotten (Corin Nemec), a timid and introverted research scientist working for a large corporation known as Bunning Industries. Peter works to enhance the fertility capacities of rabbits, enforced by the company's desire to feed the world with genetically modified rabbits. While trying to increase the rate of rabbit reproduction, he is unintentionally bitten by a genetically altered creature. This bite transforms his life forever.

The transformative bite infuses Peter with enormous strength, agility, and some bizarre features normally characteristic of rabbits. However, these newfound abilities are paired with a horrifyingly repulsive appearance. And, voila, Rottentail, the monstrous humanoid rabbit is born. Despite his revolting new look, Peter's transformation also comes with its own eccentric benefits, such as super-strength, high leaps, and the ability to produce deadly carrot-shaped explosives.

Rottentail quickly decides to utilize his fresh capabilities for vengeance. Peter's timid demeanor was regularly taken advantage of by the small-town bullies who made his life miserable during his adolescence. Now that he is no longer helpless, he is ready to exact revenge on his tormentors, particularly the worst of them all, Jake (William McNamara). Jake, who is now a corrupt priest in their hometown, has a malicious intention of turning his church grounds into a mega Mall on Easter Sunday for his personal enrichment. Meanwhile, Anna (Dominique Swain), a childhood sweetheart of Peter's who left town many years ago, is linked to Jake and this mall initiative. Rottentail’s quest for revenge and Anna's protection, therefore, become intertwined.

Despite the horror aspect of the movie, a lot of comedic nuances are embedded within it. The film often leans deliberately into campy humor and low-budget creature-feature territory, contrasting its horror elements with moments of absurdity and gore. Skiba intentionally heightens this contrast through a vivid complementary color palette and a gory, silly ambiance.

Rottentail’s character is a curious mix of childlike innocence with a psychopathic twist. His maniacal laughter, the snappy one-liners, and peculiar weapon of choice: explosive carrots all contribute to the comic relief embedded in the plot. On a deeper level, the film uses humor and satire to look at themes of corporate greed, revenge, and outcasts seeking justice.

Performance-wise, Corin Nemec leads the ensemble with a grotesque yet strangely appealing portrayal of Rottentail. He injects a delightful mix of manic energy and vulnerability into the character, making Rottentail both fearsome and pitiful. Dominique Swain effectively portrays the warmth and strength of Anna, while William McNamara brings a sleazy charm to the role of Jake. The chemistry amongst the cast adds believability to the absurdity of the plot. The supporting cast adds an excellent mix of colorful characters to the proceedings, enhancing the eccentric backdrop.

Rottentail offers an unconventional viewing experience. It is a strange blend of horror, comedy, and revenge flick. At times it is stomach-churning, at others it’s filled with uproarious laughter. The unique combination of horror and comedy genre, peculiar characters, and absurd storyline make Rottentail an unusually entertaining and offbeat film. However, its taste may not suit everyone – you may either love it for its outrageous creativity or hate it for its bizarre absurdity. But for fans of campy horror films or offbeat cinema, Rottentail delivers a noteworthy and memorable journey.