With the world coming apart at the seams in more ways than one, mental health crisis’ are by default on the rise. It is a subject that does not quite get the upfront attention it deserves; as it is often ostracized by those who do not understand mental anguish on a daily basis. However, in the film world, it has come to light on quite a few occasions, and most recently in the new film Hypochondriac.
Making its first debut at SXSW, it celebrates a proper release in theaters on July 29, 2022, and on Demand and Digital August 4, 2022 thanks to XYZ Films. As a debut film from Director and Screenwriter Addison Heimann, Hypochondriac not only explores the subject of mental health, but also the tribulations of the LGBTQ+ world as well…all within a Horror film. Interested yet?
The main premise of the film revolves around a homosexual man named Will (Zach Villa: Destroyer 2018, Good Mourning 2022), who gets a life interruption in the form of his mother (Marlene Forte: Star Trek 2009, A Haunted House 2013) after ten years away, who has been in and out of a mental hospital for most of her son’s life. This brings some dark days into his present that all revolve around the past. Then, despite having a good job as a potter, and a loving boyfriend Luke (Devon Graye: 13 Sins 2014, I See You 2019) who supports him, he decides to perhaps over contemplate his own future. The dark and traumatic times portrayed from here on in the film are done in a surreal, yet also quite realistic way. This is super relatable to anyone going through inner turmoil stemmed from childhood no matter how small or large of an impact it has on one’s life.
Diving into the emotional tale portrayed in the film Hypochondriac, the audience should be prepared for a bit of a tear jerker. Using the time warping switch ups of old and young Will (Ian Inigo: Jojo Rabbit 2019, Annabelle Comes Home 2019) in such a way, really explores all aspects of the human soul. The child remains somewhere in all of us, and it is up to us how we treat that inner child. The commendable portrayal of a same sex relationship also raises awareness to the public eye that there are heartfelt situations in any relationship. Love is love, and love is never the determining factor in whether a relationship lasts. It is always how well the two souls can align their lives together that shows the true colors of the relationship, which are never black and white.
Overall, Hypochondriac combines dark humor, dark subject matter, and a slap of reality in the face that deem it as one of the top rated films of this year. The entire cast do an outstanding job representing real life emotional situations, including the nonchalant father portrayal by Chris Doubek (Lovers of Hate 2010, Boyhood 2014). As most Horror movies go, the ending can be slightly weak compared to the climax, but not this time…because it ended just as beautifully as it began.
A moral to take away from Hypochondriac, without giving too much away, is the importance of accepting one’s demons in order to begin the real inner battle at hand. Healing is a process, and should never be taken lightly or knocked down as second on the priority list. Hypochondriac is just what the doctor ordered for someone who is in the mood for a healing, teary eyed, and a dark tale of inner horror. Therefore, Cryptic Rock give it 5 out of 5 stars.
){kind=link}
No comment