Release Date: 14 Sept 2018
Run Time: 121 minutes
Origin: USA
Mimi's Rating: 4 1/2 Heavy Metal albums out of 5
"A psychotic drowns where the mystic swims. You're drowning. I'm swimming."
Mandy is a revenge film filtered through the lens of High Fantasy, Heavy Metal, and hallucinogenic drugs—a fever dream loaded with symbolism and unique imagery.
The year is 1983. Red Miller (Nicolas Cage) and his girlfriend, Mandy Bloom (Andrea Riseborough), are living a quiet life at their lakeside cabin in the Shadow Mountains. We see Mandy creating intricate fantasy art, which Red marvels at and the two while away the days in each other's company.
Their idyllic life is interrupted when Mandy unintentionally captivates Jeremiah Sand (Linus Roache), the leader of the Children of the New Dawn, a religious cult. Jeremiah sends his disciple, Brother Swan (Ned Dennehy), to capture Mandy, enlisting the help of a demonic biker gang named the Black Skulls.
Swan and the bikers invade the couple's home while they sleep. The group incapacitates Red and takes Mandy to Jeremiah. Once brought to the cult's hideout, Mandy is drugged by the two female members, Mother Marlene (Olwen Fouéré) and Sister Lucy. Mandy is brought before Jeremiah, who attempts to impress her with his musical album and religious mania. When Mandy begins to laugh, enraging him.
We then return to Red, who has been tied up with barbed wire by the cultists. As punishment for Mandy's rejection of Jeremiah, Red is stabbed with the blade of the Pale Night and is forced to watch as Mandy is hanged and burned alive.
After the Children leave, Red manages to escape from the barbed wire restraints and upon waking the following day, he begins to prepare for his retribution.
"They lit her on FIRE! They were weirdo, hippie-types, whole bunch of 'em. And then there was some muscle - it didn't make any sense. There were bikers, and gnarly psychos, and... crazy evil."
Mandy skillfully immerses you into the story and connects the audience to the character of Red. Masterfully creating this feeling of impending doom for both the audience and the character. Early on, Red tells Mandy that they should leave their home. And this is before they come into contact with the Children. This undefined dread is heightened by the cinematography and the outstanding Jóhann Jóhannsson score. I'd recommend listening to it even if you're not interested in watching the film, it's that good.
While the plot of Mandy may seem simple enough, there are many layers to be peeled back. It's the type of film that is very much open to interpretation. Were the supernatural elements real or just a manifestation of drug use? It's up to you to decide.
Red Miller is a role Nicolas Cage was born to play. There is a reason why this performance was hailed as a "return to form" for the actor. We get treated to both subtle and over-the-top Cage in this. The bathroom scene right after Mandy's murder is a masterful display of his skills as he segues from rage to despair and back to rage. Once again we watch a Cage character descend into madness, and somehow he keeps it as fresh as the first time. He has minimal dialogue in the later half of the film but I believe Cage is a master of the physical side of acting, so it doesn't suffer from this creative decision. Possibly one of his best performances in recent years.
"A Jovian warrior sent forth from the eye of the storm."
I also can't stress enough how great Andrea Riseborough was in the role of the titular Mandy. The time we spend with her may be short, but her presence is felt throughout the rest of the film. Riseborough creates an immensely sympathetic character in Mandy, much of her performance making superb use of those expressive eyes.
"I see the Reaper fast approaching".
To me, Mandy is a tale of fantasy ripped from the pages of a paperback like the one Mandy is seen reading in the film. Except for its chosen location and time, it ticks all those fantasy genre boxes. I mean, Red even forges a legendary weapon for himself. A silver axe that he wields along with a crossbow referred to as "the Reaper." The visuals are ripped from a mural painted on the side of an 80s Shaggin' Waggon and that score will make you feel almost hypnotized. Oh, and the gore effects are pretty freaking hardcore too.
I could go deeper into all that makes Mandy such a memorable experience, but it's best if you check it out for yourself if it sounds the least bit interesting. It's a one-of-a-kind experience whether you come away liking the film or hating it entirely.
Bonus: Bill Duke (of Predator and Commando fame) has a fun small role as Red's associate, Caruthers.
Why you should watch:
It's a truly unique film-watching experience.
You like the fantasy genre, Heavy Metal and visceral violence.
One of Cage's best performances ever.
Why you shouldn't watch:
You don't like depictions of violence against women (Mandy's death scene is especially hard to stomach).
Some viewers may find the first half slow.
You don't like gore or extreme violence.