Fantastic Fest 2013 Review: Septic Man (2013)

Cast: Jason David Brown, Molly Dunsworth, Robert Maillet
Director: Jesse T. Cook
Country: Canada
Genre: Horror
Official Trailer: Here

Editor’s Notes: The following review is part of our coverage of Fantastic Fest 2013. For more information on the festival visit http://fantasticfest.com and follow Fantastic Fest on Twitter at @fantasticfest.

From the production team that brought us Monster Brawl (2011) comes a claustrophobic, survival horror film that pulls no punches. A town’s water supply becomes contaminated and must be evacuated. The title of the film is self-explanatory. The film opens with a nasty sequence that will surely have audiences squirming in their seats. Once the audience survives the first three minutes of the film they should be okay with the rest.

There are some terrifying sequences in which it’s difficult to tell (at first) if they’re real or a nightmare. Jesse T. Cook (Director) captures the essence of what it would be like to be isolated in a toxic environment. The survival element is taken to revolting extremes.

At the center of the action is our hero, Jack (Jason David Brown). A mysterious man named Phil Prosser (Julian Richings) approaches Jack and tasks him with saving the town. He must find and isolate the source of the town’s water contamination. Jack is reluctant, but he’s lured in when Prosser offers a lump sum of money. Jack stays behind while the entire town evacuates.

The film wastes no time throwing Jack into the town’s sewage treatment plant. It’s at this point the film plays with claustrophobia. The pipes Jack crawls through are dark, disgusting and small. As the world closes in on Jack, so too does this film on the audience. The film essentially becomes a one-man performance and Jason David Brown is up to the task. He dives into the problem with no fear, only conviction. Once he finds the source of the town’s problem he is stranded in a deep pit alone, for the most part.

Stuck in the dark he loses track of time, senses and slowly begins transforming into a monster. Jack’s attempts to escape are futile, made more difficult by the men who torment him: Giant (Robert Maillet) and Lord Auch (Tim Burd). Lord Auch is a menacing villain and Burd completely transforms into the horrific sewage beast. Giant is a gentle giant with a soft side. Giant and Jack are easily relatable to the audience. Giant provides the audience with a glimmer of hope. Throughout the film, Giant and Lord Auch keep the pit supplied with more materials to further contaminate the water. The items they use are memorable and unspeakable.

Throughout the film Jack undergoes a hideous transformation while losing his mind. There are some terrifying sequences in which it’s difficult to tell (at first) if they’re real or a nightmare. Jesse T. Cook (Director) captures the essence of what it would be like to be isolated in a toxic environment. The survival element is taken to revolting extremes.

The set design is worth noting. From start to finish the design makes it easy to suspend disbelief. The cringe worthy opening scene is made possible due to the twisted individuals who crafted the most disgusting bathroom ever seen. By comparison the bathroom from Trainspotting looks like a bathroom from a four star hotel. The vacant treatment plant is a character on it’s own. The dark, murky pit is a deranged piece of art laced with all kinds of genre goodness.

On a technical level this film is well shot for such a dark film. The framing captures Jack’s isolation incredibly well. This film isn’t for the faint of heart. Brendan Uegama (Cinematographer) must have had a blast setting up the shots and executing them nicely.

Can we talk about the makeup? Jack’s transformation is gradual and the small details that change on his face are remarkable. Once he has fully transformed into Septic Man he becomes a unforgettable creature. The various pieces that join him in the pit appear quite real, adding to the terror.

On the surface, Septic Man appears to be a basic survival horror film. There is much room for interpretation as there is some subtext going on. While Jack is getting crapped on, it’s easy to picture any person in any profession feeling like that at their job. Working a 9-5, Monday-Friday can often times feel like a survival horror. This is only one interpretation; regardless, it’s a fascinating watch.

Can we talk about the makeup? Jack’s transformation is gradual and the small details that change on his face are remarkable. Once he has fully transformed into Septic Man he becomes a unforgettable creature. The various pieces that join him in the pit appear quite real, adding to the terror.

Septic Man is a thoroughly enjoyable film. No doubt it will draw comparisons to genre films in the past as Cook pays homage to films that paved the way. This film will fit nicely on the DVD shelves of die-hard genre fans. If you want to take a chance, be sure to skip your snacks and dive into the pit with Jack. Will he survive? Will you survive? Only one way to find out!

• Bio
• Latest Posts

Adrian Charlie

Staff Film Critic

I'm from Victoria BC and love watching films from all corners of the world. I'm fascinated by interpreting films and connecting with other film lovers. I love sharp, clever dialogue (QT), beautifully shot films (The Thin Red Line) and a filmmaker who trusts the audience to put it all together and leave room for discussion (PTA).

Latest posts by Adrian Charlie (see all)

• VIFF 2013: Our Most Anticipated Films - September 24, 2013
• Fantastic Fest 2013 Capsule Reviews: Day 3 - The Unknown Known, LFO, and Cheap Thrills - September 24, 2013
• Fantastic Fest 2013 Review: Man of Tai Chi (2013) - September 23, 2013