Synopsis:
A corroded diving bell descends amidst a ruined city, settling down upon an ominous fortress guarded by zombie-like sentries. The Assassin emerges to explore a labyrinth of bizarre, desolate landscapes inhabited by freakish denizens. Through unexpected twists and turns, he experiences an evolution beyond his wildest comprehension.
Directed by Oscar and Emmy Award-winning stop-motion animator and special effects supervisor Phil Tippett, Mad God features the voice talents of Alex Cox, Niketa Roman, Satish Ratakonda, Harper Taylor, and Brynn Taylor. Tippett is also known for founding Tippett Studio, the production company popularly known for Starship Troopers (one of my favourites), Jurassic Park, RoboCop, and a few of the Star Wars films (A New Hope & The Empire Strikes Back).
– Mad God – Photo Credit: Shudder
Like with anything that is primarily a piece of art over a film with plot and narrative, there is a lot that is left open to interpretation, though some concepts clearly scream louder than others; some ideas are transparent and tangible, others subjective or obfuscated.
– Mad God – Photo Credit: Shudder
My initial feelings were those of disgust and disdain ant the deplorable state of the world we find ourselves visiting, though I am assuming that this is the tone Tippett was striving for. The world The Assassin delves into is well guarded and militarized on the outside, though there are far more sinister terrors lurking below. We are taken on a journey through a nightmarish hellscape akin to a fever dream the likes of which you’ve never seen.
There are constant themes within the imagery presented, including obvious nods to humanity’s cruelty when it comes to livestock, our workforce, crushing pressure, depression, work culture, and societal evils…the list is truly endless with most having multiple meanings and blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments strewn throughout.
– Mad God – Photo Credit: Shudder
There were a few that really struck me personally, specifically those relating to working yourself to death, with how industry and capitalism pretty much treat humanity as cattle. There are a lot of jabs at power too, often equating those that have it to infants or children. Again, pain as entertainment and the utter general disregard for life itself are heavy themes in and of themselves and these are again touched on time and again. Religion, as well, seems to be a cornerstone of the film’s central focus, though in a far more abstract critique than one is used to.
– Mad God – Photo Credit: Shudder
What am I jabbering on about? Why does this sound like a miasma of chaos and cruelty? If you’ve ever seen any of the stop animation Tool music videos by Adam Jones from the 90s, then you’ll have a pretty good idea of what you are about to get yourself into when it comes to Mad God. Though this time, we are getting a feature length version and one even more twisted than Jones’ own creations. This is not the kind of film where one can press play, sit back and put your feet up.
No, this is something different—It’s an experience decades in the making and a piece of post-apocalyptic art crafted with care and acute attention to detail. It’s a Magnum Opus and something that I will forever remember watching. Mad God is a unique, gorgeous, grotesque masterpiece of evil and entropy.
– Mad God – Photo Credit: Shudder
One could call it an audio-visual feast for the mind; it’s chaos, art, premonition, and pain. It’s what comes after the end of the world and that’s a hellscape that anyone has yet to imagine; how could they? Metaphysical mythology aside, it is obviously a tireless project that must have taken years of dedication and aeons of patience to craft. It is an absolute labour of love and those that understand the scope of the effort put into the creation of this masterpiece will appreciate it for what it is.
However, it needs to be said that this is not a layman’s film. Nor was it ever intended to be. I am fortunate enough to meander through circles where a film like this would most definitely be appreciated, but it is not (a very hard not) going to appeal to general audiences. Cinephiles with perhaps a penchant for the twisted and terrible are, unfortunately, going to be the small few that are going to appreciate this film for what it is. It may gain a cult following in its later years and will definitely be brought up as a badge of honour among film fundis, but Mad God is what it is; macabre madness in a cinematic format.
– Mad God – Photo Credit: Shudder
I personally loved it, but I could probably count on two hands the number of people I could recommend this film to; people who would “get it”…and I’m a big horror guy. Thanks for reading and as always, stay sordid. Mad God is a Shudder streaming exclusive and will be releasing June 16th, but some will have the opportunity to see it in all its gory glory on the big screen come June 10th in selected cinemas. The artwork, trailer and such are below.
– Mad God _ Key Art – Photo Credit: Shudder
