Film Review – John Dies at the End (2012)

2017 was a great year for fans of the horror genre. From the remake of Stephen King’s IT being a box office hit to Best Picture Oscar nominations for both Get Out and The Shape of Water. John Dies at the End achieved neither of these feats, but was still a hit at film festivals all over the country. Did it deserve this lack of recognition? Or was it a missed cult-classic of 2012? The following review will be spoiler free.

Synopsis

Directed By: Don Coscarelli

Written By: Don Coscarelli

Starring: Chase Williamson, Rob Mayes, Clancy Brown, and Paul Giamatti.

David Wong (Williamson) meets small time reporter Arnie (Giamatti) in a Chinese restaurant in order to expose the dangers of a mysterious new drug known simply as “Soy Sauce.” The drug promises untold wonders, but these wonders come at a price. What follows is a tale involving Wong, his best friend John (Mayes), a hot-dog cellphone, and quite possibly the end of the world.

Background

John Dies at the End was originally published as an online web serial starting 2001 by David Wong. In 2007 after its release as a paperback novel, Coscarelli  inadvertently found the book through a recommendation by the website Amazon. Upon reading its description he thought that it would make a fantastic movie.  He also believed that it had one of the greatest titles in movie history and acquired film rights later that year.

The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2012 and was released to theaters in January 2013. However, despite positive reviews from critics, the film received an extremely limited release (only nineteen theaters in total screened it during its eleven-week run).  But with this hidden gem now available on Netflix, there really is no excuse not to see this wild ride of a film.

John Dies at the End Grabs You and Never Lets Go  

The best way to describe John Dies at the End is a film that slams its foot down on the gas and refuses to let up until it comes to a sudden and violent stop.  The credits start to roll, and you as an audience member are left sitting in the theater dazed, confused, and questioning your place in the universe. In short, it’s fantastic.

I unintentionally stumbled across this film while perusing the horror section of Netflix and clicked on it without expecting much. However, almost immediately I was drawn into the colorful, madcap, and genuinely terrifying world that this film creates. Before the opening credits even appear, the film presents a much more gruesome version of the Grandfather’s Ax (if you replace the handle and the blade of your grandfather’s ax, is it still the same ax?) involving a dead man, a horrific insect from another dimension, and a zombie. This scene sets the tone for the rest film. That this is going to be a grisly, crazy experience that just may make you think.

image via Wired

Strong Performances All Around Bring the Film to Life

One of the film’s strong points is its actors. Chase Williamson delivers a solid performance as David Wong, the every-man turned ghost hunter through his experience with the drug “Soy Sauce.” His incredibly energetic voice over throughout the film draws the viewer in and does a fantastic job of communicating his feelings every step of the way. Along for the ride is Rob Mayes as John, David’s slacker best friend. Mayes and Williamson create a solid rapport between their two characters, making them both seem incredibly lifelike. Finally, Paul Giamatti brings his trademark gruff witticism full force, creating some very entertaining dialogues between him and Williamson.

As for its horror elements, John Dies at the End leans more towards the lighter and silly side of the genre. A ghost made entirely out of meat is a standout example. But it also contain some genuinely scary elements, mostly playing off of the idea of horrific monsters that are just outside of our natural perception.

image via Silver Emulsion

Crazy Visuals and Fun Dialogue Don’t Outweigh the Uneven Pacing and Threadbare Plot

While John Dies at the End’s main appeal lies in its pure wackiness, some viewers may find it a little off-putting. The film is defiantly aimed at those who enjoy darker humor, however some of the jokes stray into juvenile territory  (for example a door knob turns into a penis). Another issue is that the pacing is inconsistent. At times the film sees to either be going to fast or unnecessarily slowing down. On top of that the plot of the film is threadbare, with events loosely connected together via onscreen exposition. Overall this can leave the viewer feeling confused and uncertain as to what is actually happening in the film.

Final Thoughts

John Dies at the End is one of those films that is hard to describe and even harder to talk about if you haven’t seen it. It is a must see for anyone who is a fan of horror comedy, and even for those who are not fans, it’s worth a watch just to experience its pure insanity. It’s uneven pacing, dark humor, and straight up bizarreness may be off-putting for some, but still manages to create a wholly unique film experience.

Grade: B+

image via Film Ireland

Thanks for reading!  What are your thoughts on John Dies at the End?  Comment down below!

If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to MovieBabble via email to stay up to date on the latest content.

Join MovieBabble on Patreon so that new content will always be possible.

What movie topic should I discuss next?  Whether it be old or new, the choice is up to you!