Tribeca Review: ‘Hysterical Psycho’

Hysterical Psycho is now one of my favorite horror comedies of all time. It easily takes a spot on the list right alongside Evil Dead II. Now I know what you are thinking. Every few months another horror film comes along and some reviewer compares it to Evil Dead. And every single time, that reviewer should have their hand cut off and NOT replaced with a chainsaw for making such an unfair comparison. Well go ahead Evil Dead fans, call shenanigans on me (and Scott), but I guarantee you will take it back after watching this film.

In addition to being the closest thing we are getting to an Evil Dead IV, Hysterical Psycho also takes its cues from dozens of other classic horror films. The film is actually packed with so many references and homages to great horror film, I am sure dozens of drinking games will be made around it. And they should be created because this is one hell of a fun film to watch with like-minded friends. As long as your friends like violence and are not affected by lunar radiation of course. It should be said that while the film wear’s its influences on its sleeve, it never once feels like it is ripping off something or trying to squeeze in a reference. Hysterical Psycho is completely original while utilizing every clichà © in horror and literally stealing shots from other films. It all fits perfectly in the mold created by Dan Fogler and partially sculpted by the cast.

The fact that this film went from idea to filming in about a month is amazing. Dan Fogler has crafted such a great film and it seems like a lot of fun was had on set. The film stars mostly members of Dan’s acting group, Stage 13. They are a truly talented bunch, and I am lucky to have had the chance to meet some of them at Tribeca. The basis for the entire film started with the suppressed laugh of Randy Baruh, who plays the film’s hysterical psycho. From there, Dan came up with a story outline and the cast all had a hand in creating the characters and expanding on the story. This is a great process and I truly hope they do it again on another project soon.

Dan Fogler did a fantastic job directing this film, as well. The cinematography is perfect, as is the sound editing. If you are like me and love that scene in Evil Dead when we hear a whomping sound every time the camera passes a beam, you will love the sound design in this film. The special effects are also well done and the few moments of animation are hysterical.

It is fairly obvious that I loved this movie. Hysterical Psycho is equally demented and hilarious. Fogler describes it as Rock n’ Roll Hitchcock meets Evil Dead meets Young Frankenstein and I completely agree. This needs to find distribution immediately so it can go on and become the cult classic it is destined to be.

5 out of 5 Suppressed Laughs

And because it is so F***ing batshit crazy awesome, here is the trailer for Hysterical Psycho:

Jerry Cavallaro – www.AreYouStuckLikeChuck.com