Short Film Review “G(l)ory Days” Guts, getting on, and guffaws mirthfully dominate in this excellent horror-comedy from Cory DeMeyers & Co.
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First, the Recap:
Aging. Isn’t it a treat? I mean, what’s NOT to love and enjoy, right? You become more attuned with life, who you are, establish everything that will mean something to you, and then get to embark on the journey forward to ideally experience the fulfillment of it all. Yet, there is an associated inexorability accompanying this, a reluctant and despised acceptance when realizing where all we once had a firm hold over suddenly starts to slip away. Truthfully, time is indeed….a killer!
Or, in this particular case, a PAIR of former slashers known as Hulk (Tait Fletcher) and Turtleneck (Guy Van Swearingen). Retired and residing at an isolated woodland cabin, the duo fondly recollect the “good ole days” of stalking, hacking, and stacking up body counts even as they face their own, now-diminished physical states of being thanks to growing old. However, when a pair of hapless campers, couple Heather (Sari Sanchez) and Lane (Missy Fierro), happen to arrive, it re-fires the men’s desire to do what they do best…and compete for “the title” once more.
Next, my Mind:
This critic has never made it a secret that when if comes to the ever-abundant forays films make into the wide-ranging realms of horror, it is VERY hard to please me, more engaging with creepy/chilling/make-you-fidget-in-your-seat varieties of the genre as opposed to the “buckets-of-blood-and-gore” approach that I tend to find to be just TOO off-putting and not entertaining. I therefore went into this new short film effort from director/executive producer Cory DeMeyers, writer/executive producer Sammy Horowitz, writer/executive producer Adam Pasen, producers Jett Jansen, Kari Iverson, and Kale Murphy alongside executive producers Mike Fierro, Alex Chansky, and Willie Weber with caution. I will ALSO say, though, that one thing stuck out to me upon being offered the opportunity to review this project….horror, yes, but also COMEDY.
That latter notion ends up elevating this 27-minute short film to new degrees of utter fun, frivolity, satirical bite, and just plain hilarious, over-the-top zaniness while actually managing to do what you normally would NOT anticipate a slasher-style genre peice to remotely have at its core….relatability!! While one, of course (er, I HOPE!), doesn’t take that to mean in context of the lead characters’ past and once more present proclivities mind you, but rather the sheer notion of confronting the relentless taskmaster that is time. Handled with the aforementioned levity while exposing all the facets of aging we’ve come to know and love AND placing it in the world of the second category of horror above, what would have normally turned this critic totally away becomes the precise aspects of what makes this film shine and soar. Think by far more “Evil Dead 2” tone overall as opposed to “In A Violent Nature”.
The narrative sees two former serial killers (Camp Crystal Lake calling, ladies and gentlemen) trying to joyfully remember “how it once was” while attempting to navigate the blunt force perils of aging then having an unforeseen chance to get back in the game through some “friendly” competition, the pacing here is perfect, moving this premise along with wickedly witty momentum combined with smartly crafted writing. You learn about the characters, but not at the cost of events feeling beleaguered by only talking heads. Even as the story takes on its more direct slasher horror objectives (and YES it IS gory), you cannot take it seriously strictly due to the fact it’s so purposefully overblown to fit the comedic purposes being aimed for and hence it is causing you to more so playfully go “OH!!” or “EWWW!!” (and LAUGH!) rather than turn away in repulsion at the graphic instances being conveyed.
Top all this insanity off with more of the film’s foundational thematic turns that address the entire scope of aging’s glorious consequences, including weight issues, lack of energy/needing naps, fishing as the prototypical retirement hobby, quality over quantity arguments when it comes to the character’s respective past shenanigans, needing walkers/canes, allergies, breath mints, back problems, having medications to take, cantankerous attitudes, sabotaging another to win, and just frankly feeling the classic “I’m too old for this s@&%!” all get their time to be explored. It’s a complete riot when seen in this light especially, and it leads to a third act that more than cements all these factors while providing a finale that makes it appear this might NOT be the real end yet. Could there be more down the road? That is something I will be very curious (and would LOVE to) see!
Fletcher and Swearingen are a marvel both together and individually here, each playing off the other with beautifully orchestrated male bonding chemistry while also allowing their unique personalities to likewise…gush…forth via their respective roles as Hulk and Turtleneck. Now retired from their days of all-encompassing mayhem and nasty reputation-building, the duo find themselves at a crossroads…and older men. Comparing the past while lamenting, and demonstrating, all the whimsically-portrayed qualities of growing older, Hulk and Turtleneck get an unexpected chance to be relevant (to themselves at least) again when unwitting campers show up on their property, sparking that good old fashioned sense of macho competitiveness and bloodlust they thrived on in younger times. Of course, nothing about this could go at ALL wrong…..right?
Fletcher’s quite literal hulking figure more than adequately befits his character, complete with the massive beard and just ominous overall presence. Yet how the actor chooses to infuse this giant with what one could almost call a heart makes it hilarious and pure magic to watch and listen to Hulk be nostalgic for what used to be for the pair, even as the ensuing competition between them brings out an equally funny but devilish side to him again. Even his chosen “garb” for slashing is an ode to Jason Vorhees in many aspects, and Fletcher you can tell simply relishes this role, chewing scenery every chance he gets. What makes me wonder is that the actor can so easily play this style of character while offering the imposing presence to boot, but again I just cannot help but believe Fletcher is most likely a big teddy bear in real life. If so, that is what makes the actor’s performance here even more credible and riotous to watch.
In a far more part-Leatherface/part-Dahmer manner, Swearingen offers a far more, at least on the surface, calmer, “everyman” demeanor that belies the monster he is playing as Turtleneck. Filled perhaps with a little more ego and bluster than his compatriot, massively confident of his ruling status as “King of Killers”, watching Swearingen imbue Turtlneck with this magnitude of self-assuredness is likewise hysterical, as it’s almost a foil to Hulk’s more straight-forward brawn-over-brains manner. Yet, might it be this exact over-confidence that could end up coming back to bite him, and his killer attire screams old man as it is, which only makes it funnier watching Swearingen take the character through his paces, imbibing just as much scene-stealing energy for himself. It’s a real hoot to see how this character’s path leads him to places that illustrate what old age can do to you, and Swearingen owns this with beautiful comedic timing and glee.
Sanchez comes around next, and while she might SEEM like she will be the typical “victim/girl in distress”, she is far from it, even when the character she plays, Heather, is on the receiving end of a killer’s intent. Heather is someone with a secret herself, at least at first, and the reveal of it only makes the proceedings more imperative and interesting for the character and us as the viewer. Heather is no push-over, and she isn’t about to go down without a fight, mainly when she has a past to reconcile. Now don’t get me wrong, Sanchez gets to play scream queen here as well, but it’s not some cliché being portrayed. There’s a better…genuineness…to the horror the actress exemplifies and experiences for Heather, and it lends itself well even IN the moments where you think the character’s fate is set. Honestly, it’s very well-played by Sanchez, and she models the kind of urgent and driven desperation of a woman in peril with all-out bravado, poise, fervor, and ease.
Primary supporting roles arrive first from Fierro as Lane, Heather’s partner and the more….outgoing….of the two, consumed by social media and her presence on it. It’s really a caricature of the entire “influencer”-type persona, which suits this film’s comedy-centric nature and that Fierro just oozes the charisma for here to a “T”, but also deftly depicts a “yeah, she’s most likely done for” vibes as well. Again, perfectly apropos for the story and well acted by Fierro. Jett Jansen is the local Sheriff, a humorously unscrupulous but still well-meaning law enforcement officer who does attempt to warn the two ladies off from where they have chosen to camp, while also possessing that “he’s going to get it, isn’t he?” demeanor as well. Finally, Adam Pasen makes an appearance as Nails, and that is all I will say about it so as not to give anything away. Let’s just say he would be another character who’d be interesting to see more about…humorously, of course.
So, in total, “G(l)ory Days” is a winning horror-comedy on all fronts, adeptly delivering all the tropes of the genre it so wonderfully epitomizes, visually and otherwise, but does so with tongue (um, and heads, and stumps, and…) firmly in cheek, taking on the monster of old age with intelligently executed, wholly amusing whimsey that WILL stalk your funny bone, hack it to pieces, and leave you having one bloody good time. Who says you can’t have a blast when you’re older???
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
