The Horror Show
Lung II
by Phil Stevens
I recently reviewed the inventive and artistically fun horror film Flowers from filmmaker Phil Stevens. I had the good fortune to check out the film's prequel Lung II. I love the first film's concept as I wanted to see more of the story that Flowers tells and that's exactly what I got.
Flowers primarily followed the victims of a killer, a concept I found very unique. Since the film interested me so much, however, I was eager to see more of the inner workings of the man behind the killings himself and that's what Lung II is all about.
The film makes the smart choice of balancing Flowers' harsh claustrophobic setting with a healthy dose of outside material. We see bleakness and desolation from the start as we follow our killer through the woods. Writer/director Phil Stevens himself is on the screen, a through-line of sorts in a trip into the chaotic brain of the man behind Flowers.
To delve into too many specifics would be a disservice to the film because, as with Flowers, Lung II relies heavily on its masterful handle on visuals. A lone man pushing a mysterious carriage, the urban setting of stores and nightlife, it all breathes new life into the idea as does what is to follow.
As with the first film it connects to, Lung II strays from the standard format and style of your typical movie. It’s more about a journey into the mind and experience of a disturbed main character as he sees it rather than looking at specific actions. Lung II is chock full of realistic, gory visuals and a dirty feeling that can be tangibly felt from the screen. It's a ride, a journey that will never feel safe, but will always feel worth exploring.
The order of the related films is important, as Flowers had the viewer sucked into the setting, thrown into the same chaos as the victims it follows. With Lung II we are taken even further into the insanity as we are no longer casual viewers in the depths of someone's soul. The tortured nature of the core character, detached from the reality we all know and live in, comes through in its own messy way through Lung II's visuals.
One thing I liked about the film was its ability to put the viewer, at least in my case, through all the emotions that such an individual as its subject matter might feel. We will be thrown into a disgusting kitchen or bathroom, dredging through waste and filth. In another instance, though, we are outside, almost gasping for breathe ourselves, staring at the lights and calmness outside, feeling the relief from the disheveled dirt and angst being presented through the disturbed killer.
As with Flowers the film avoids dialogue and uses sound to set the tone wonderfully. There isn't a moment that feels like it's outside of the overall experience. When the man is isolated in a room, dealing with his own mind, or when we get little glimpses into experiences he's had, I felt right on board. I may not understand all the specifics of his inner turmoil or how the film sees the world, but as with Flowers, Lung II's vision feels authentic and the movie seems to know the exact story it wants to tell.
P.J. Griffin
The Horror Show Menu.