The Ugly (1997) – DVD Movie Reviews

By The Vocabulariast on Monday, 18th July 2011

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The other day, I was out buying random DVD’s when I stumbled across a copy of The Ugly. Having no idea what the film was, I bought it on a whim. It turns out that the movie is a 1997 horror flick from New Zealand. It’s a low-budget masterpiece filled with an Argento-esque sense of artistry… think Suspiria. At this point, I’m amazed that I had never heard of the film before.

The movie is a complex blend of flashbacks, surreal imagery, and psychological horror. A psychologist is sent to interview a convicted serial killer to see if he is fit for release into public. As she sits down to interview the man, she uncovers elements of his past and his past victims. He blames his homicidal tendencies on an entity called The Ugly. As the psychologist becomes more and more involved in the case, events begin to get weirder and weirder, leading to a delightfully twisted ending that is sure to please most horror fans.

The best part about the film is the direction from Scott Reynolds. Based upon the skill presented in The Ugly, I’m amazed that he hasn’t done anything of note since this film. Reynolds crafts an artistic film that still manages to deliver the goods. The transitions in this film are fantastic, and Reynolds blends past with present seamlessly, keeping the viewer off kilter. Visually, the film looks like it’s from 1997, and it’s shot on actual film stock, which gives it a nice look. It feels like a ‘90s Argento flick, and the artistic choices that Reynolds makes with the film all work well.

Part of the attraction of the film is just how weird it is. The opening scene involves two rough-looking orderlies escorting a dude in a bag down a hall. One orderly has wild hair, a bunch of tattoos, and wears a button up shirt that exposes his chest. The cruelty that they show towards the patient is bizarre. Even the kills in the movie are bizarre, as they all feature loads of black blood. I’m still not sure what the black blood represents, but it definitely adds another level of weirdness to the film.

Overall, The Ugly is a nice little giallo-esque film that fans of Euro-horror can get into. If you appreciate artistry in your giallo, then this film will definitely provide it, as well as a level of quirky unease that will keep you on your toes.

Final Synopsis: This one is definitely a treat for obscure horror fans. Hopefully, The Ugly will gain a bigger audience in years to come and I’d love to see Director Scott Reynolds return to this type of film. Check out The Ugly if you can find it.

Points Lost: -1 for some acting, -1 for the black blood, I’ve decided that I would have rather have seen some good old-fashioned red stuff

Lesson Learned: Never trust a crazy person.

Burning Question: Seriously, what’s with the black blood?

The Ugly
8/10