By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3 cats
Director: Eric Pennycoff
Starring: Graham Skipper | Jeremy Gardner | Rigo Garay | Taylor Zaudtke
Country: united_states
Year: 2022
Running time: 82
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13998454/reference/
Brett says: “The horror Christmas movie tradition might bring to mind some cult classics like BLACK CHRISTMAS; SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT; and RARE EXPORTS. It might be a bit too early to tell, but if given a fair shake and a wide enough distribution, THE LEECH from director Eric Pennycoff could find itself into the annual holiday watchlist of niche Christmas horror enthusiasts.
“The film is an alternative dark comedy that doesn’t spend much time on the gift-giving element of Christmas and instead goes straight for the jugular tied to the religious focus of the holiday. The premise focuses on a priest named David who is short/empty on parishioners of his church as Christmas nears, yet the man of ardent faith stays the course and remains obedient to the plan he believes God has for what appears to be dwindling faith and a cess pool of debauchery all around him. Perfectly juxtaposed and following the opening message of obeying the Golden Rule, Father David finds himself immediately in an encounter that would be much easier to turn the other cheek, so to speak, and avoid troublesome confrontation. However, he is a man of his word and tries to practice what he preaches.
“The encounter is with a crude, lewd sinner named Terry who’s down on his luck after a potentially life-altering spat with his girlfriend. This opens the gate for the third character, girlfriend Lexi, to complete the triumvirate of awkwardness about to unfold. Father David opens his heart by opening his home to uncouth Terry. This move eventually leads a reconciliation of sorts between Terry and Lexi that soon adds her to the living arrangements, which is actually more an invasion of Father Terry’s private holy sanctuary.
“The film’s humor operates on the irony of a priest who clearly suffers and is hesitant in enduring the new roommate situation. The premise comes across as pretty standard fare when read in a description, but the writing is on point, which makes this feel more authentic and fresh than a major studio production by being off its hinges and going places in its subject matter that other films would probably handle much more delicately, thus more blandly. The portrayal of Terry (Jeremy Gardner) is an over-the-top depiction that wallows in sophomoric, trashy, and regionally ignorant lines. But, because some of the interactions are so spit-take worthy, these off-putting dialogue exchanges grow legs and it’s off to the races.
“While the dark humor is abundant, the effectiveness of the work ratchets up a notch when a horror element of a religious nature works its way into the scenario. This adds both an edginess to the film, but it also serves to cement humor on the other side of it that would otherwise run the risk of falling flat without this balance. 3 cats out of 5
“Recommended for adrenaline junkies
“Not recommended for viewers appalled by or sensitive to trashy humor
“Not recommended for viewers sensitive to religious contexts in comedy.”