A small-town public defender Darby Vincent struggles every day trying her hardest to bring justice to the people that need it, but sadly her community seems to be short on morality and ethics. To make matters worse, she accepted to take in her home Ron, her absent and morally challenged father, since he has been diagnosed with cancer, and with very few months left to live. The duo have arguments right from the start, leaving the both of them to go out to drink their worries away.
The next morning, however, Ron seems to have decided to turn to a new page and change his ways, doing a complete 180 degree in his personality, much to the surprise (and concern) of Darby. Unfortunately this new beginning does not last, as Ron dies a few hours later from an apparently very bizarre shaving accident, and when the autopsy takes place, an even bigger mystery is discovered.
This is when Darby starts noticing very drastic changes in more people in her town, making her wonder what could be the connection between these events, and who (or what) is behind them.
This is the plot for “Replicator”; an interesting horror film directed by Mark Andrew Hamer and co-written with Russ Lindway. The film will be available in V.O.D. on December 10th. and also in select theaters in the United States.
While I enjoyed “Replicator”, it also ended up being one of those times where the film leaves me with mixed feelings once the credits start rolling. It is not necessarily a bad thing, it just leaves me wanting to root for the movie and promote it, but at the same time, I cannot say the movie was that great nor recommend it to everybody.
Allow me to elaborate.
The plot itself was very good, I thought it was a very original idea that I would love to see expanded. Sure, you can feel the influence from “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” or “The Faculty”, but it also has its own spin, and I enjoyed it.
This film also dwells into body horror with very good practical special effects done by Dave Greathouse (The Fresh Hell trilogy, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, Wrong Turn, Fun Size). Those special effects alone made the trip very enjoyable. Without dropping spoilers, I will just say that there are some creatures in this story, and that their design is very good.
The acting for the most part is very good, but my favorite was Jim Azelvandre as Ron; Sure, the guy is a jerk (To say the least) but Azelvandre made him so charismatic that it is a shame we don’t see it for too long. If one day someone wants to do a “Rick and Morty” live action film, give this guy a call, he would be a great Rick.
That being said, let me go to the not–so–positives.
Sadly the story has several things that are confusing. Even on a second viewing I felt some details were left unanswered. One of those things would be as to why this event is happening NOW. Sure, there are some hints that the revolution (for lack of a better world) has been happening for some time little by little (let’s have fun counting how many times we see some stranger looking at our main characters from a distance, shall we?), but the “big turn out” is taking place during a few days.
The motive itself seemed to be around Ron’s return to this town, but for some reason it felt like a stretch.
This brings me to another confusing detail: the film is not very clear when one day has ended and when another began. At first you would think the argument between Darby and her dad is one night different from the one when he is attacked, but then “The next morning” it is explained that both events happened the same night, and when a certain revelation comes to light… It did not add up in my book. (again, cannot say more due spoilers).
I’ll say again that the concept was very interesting and I would love to see more of this universe. Maybe if the script were revised and run through some rewrites, it could have been a more engaging film and more appealing to a wider audience.
Overall and with a runtime of barely 75 minutes, “Replicator” was a film worth watching, especially if you like body horror.
“Replicator” will be available in select theaters and VOD on December 10th. It was directed by Mark Andrew Hamer and co-written with Russ Lindway. In the cast we have Brey Noelle, KateLynn E. Newberry, Jim Azelvandre, Brian Spangler, LeJon Woods.
