DOOMSDAYS (2013) – The Review

DOOMSDAYS is not another big budget, effects laden, apocalyptic blockbuster about the end of days. This is the exact opposite. Writer and director Eddie Mullins tells the story of two aimless squatters who wander from one lavish vacation home to another in the Catskills, breaking in and making themselves at home. Justin Rice plays Dirty Fred, the more cultured and outwardly intellectual of the two men. Leo Fitzpatrick plays Bruho, the less stable, paranoid loose cannon. Both men live life by their own rules, which for the most part, means there are no rules.

Dirty Fred and Bruho’s daily life goes on swimmingly, unencumbered by law or societal expectations for some time. They take what they need, do what they want, and generally cause havoc and mischief as necessary for their own amusement. One day, they meet Jaidon, played by Brian Charles Johnson. Jaidon is a husky runaway teenager with limited social skills, questionable maturity and just enough gullibility that Dirty Fred and Bruho decide to take him in as a sort of intern anarchist, against their initial reservations. Despite the odds, Jaidon proves to be a reliable companion rather than a third wheel until they meet Reyna, played by Laura Campbell, and everything changes.

Dirty Fred lives by a self-serving code of instant gratification. Seize the day and damn the cost, as long as the cost falls in the unsuspecting lap of another. On the contrary, while Bruho certainly does partake in many the same adventurous vices as Dirt Harry, the rationale for his lifestyle is quite different. Bruho believes the world is set on a downward-spiraling course of destruction due to one thing… oil. When the worlds’ oil inevitably runs out, all Hell will break loose, so Bruho is training and preparing for that life now. Both of these men are far from ideal role models for young Jaidon, but he embeds himself deep within their roaming camp and doesn’t look back.

Eddie Mullins has, I believe, written what may likely become a new indie cult favorite. A new anarchists’ handbook, so to speak, taking the hipster culture and melding it awkwardly with the outsider, rebellious nature more commonly expected from a Harmony Korine film. DOOMSDAYS is a modern day VACATION, but instead of the traditional family unit of mom, dad and the kids, we witness the evolution of what may be one version of the post-fallout American family unit. Tradition and morals no longer matter in the face of survival, accompanied by the human need for pleasure and indulgence.

DOOMSDAYS is structured in a linear fashion, with 31 individual chapters broken up by day. Each chapter, or segment of the film, begins with a black slate, simply informing the viewer that this is day one, two, three, etc. For whatever reason, this film chronicles the month of March, in what ever year this takes place. The twist, however, is while the days and the story occur in a linear fashion, the structure of the film is broken up so that monotony never sets in and it retains the freshness of its carefree premise. Some segments are long, while others are surprisingly short, albeit still succinctly crafted to be a statement in itself, within the larger story of the film.

The film is wonderfully cast. Dirty Fred basically comes across as a cultured, arrogant douche-bag that can talk himself in or out of anything. Rice portrays this visually and convinces us he is, despite moments when humility nearly shows their heads before slipping back into their shells. Despite the excellently eccentric nature of Rice’s character, I found Fitzpatrick’s portrayal as Bruho more satisfying and realistic. Bruho is torn between being a paranoid, selfish asshole and a decent, compassionate human being who gives a shit about others. Jaidon is basically comic relief and Johnson manages to pull this off without a hitch. Jaidon ignorance and innocence collide with his desire to fit in and be cool, creating a teenage monster who somehow still seems adorably harmless compared to his mentors in mayhem.

This brings me to Reyna, played by Laura Campbell, who serves as the catalyst in this compound of unstable character chemistries. On the surface, she seems normal enough, laid back and cool, intelligent, cultured, worldly and wise. In short, she seems to really have her shit together, despite the three worst-case scenarios with which she tags along after her relationship abruptly comes to an end. Campbell maintains the girl next door vibe but without the slutty undertones, portraying Reyna as more of a cool, world of Kevin Smith character a la Shannon Doherty of MALLRATS.

DOOMSDAYS is fun and reckless as a classy but crude comedy up until Reyna joins the calamitous crew, then the human drama sets in and reveals a more rich, full-bodied story without sacrificing the frothy fun on the surface which made the film so enticing in the beginning.

DOOMSDAYS hits theaters and VOD this Friday, June 5th, 2015.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars