I watched Mandy and I liked it. 3.5/5
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“Mandy” (2018) is a fever dream wrapped in crimson hues, set on fire with grief, vengeance, and Nicolas Cage’s raw, unfettered intensity. Directed by Panos Cosmatos, this horror-thriller is not your typical revenge tale—it’s an immersive visual and auditory experience that relishes in its hypnotic storytelling and psychedelic sensibilities. For those who seek a conventional narrative or a grounded reality, Mandy might feel alienating. But for those willing to surrender to its wild, primal energy, it offers a deeply visceral journey worth taking.
The film begins in the secluded Pacific Northwest in 1983, where Red Miller (Nicolas Cage) and Mandy Bloom (Andrea Riseborough) live a peaceful, almost hermit-like existence. Their life is steeped in quiet routine, art, and love. Mandy’s ethereal presence is a source of serenity for Red, and Riseborough embodies this with an almost otherworldly grace. But the tranquility is shattered when a deranged cult leader, Jeremiah Sand (Linus Roache), becomes fixated on Mandy after a chance encounter and summons his drug-fueled followers to abduct her. What follows is a descent into madness, violence, and nightmarish hallucination.
Cosmatos crafts a world that feels like it exists between waking life and a strobe-lit nightmare. The color palette is drenched in reds and purples, as if every frame is bleeding with rage and sorrow. The visuals alone could stand as an art piece; this is a movie that leans heavily on its aesthetic, embracing the surreal to elevate the story beyond simple vengeance. Each scene is meticulously composed, almost painterly, and the use of light and shadow gives a nod to horror masters, while carving out a unique identity. The score by the late Jóhann Jóhannsson is haunting and integral, blending droning synths with emotional crescendos that pull you deeper into the film’s trance.
Nicolas Cage’s performance is as wild as the movie itself, if not more. In many ways, Red Miller feels like the role Cage was born to play—a man driven past the brink of sanity, who channels his grief into a ferocious quest for retribution. One standout scene involves Cage, clad only in tighty-whities, downing a bottle of vodka in a dilapidated bathroom, screaming and sobbing in a cathartic explosion that’s equal parts terrifying and heartbreaking. It’s pure, unadulterated Cage at his most unhinged, and it works brilliantly in the bizarre world Cosmatos has constructed.
Linus Roache’s portrayal of Jeremiah Sand is unsettling and magnetic. He exudes a blend of charisma and menace that makes you believe he could convince a group of followers to do his bidding, no matter how deranged. Sand’s narcissism and fragility add layers to the film’s examination of power and control, making him more than just a one-note antagonist.
Despite its captivating strengths, Mandy isn’t without its drawbacks. The pacing is deliberate—almost punishingly slow at times. The first act stretches out in dreamlike ambiguity, testing the patience of viewers who might crave a tighter, more traditional structure. This approach works for establishing mood but risks losing those who aren’t prepared for the film’s commitment to surreal storytelling. Additionally, the sheer excess of violence and stylistic flourishes can feel indulgent, bordering on self-parody. It’s a film that embraces the grotesque and the fantastical, which might not land for those who prefer a more restrained approach.
Yet, Mandy is undeniably a unique cinematic experience. It’s a bold, feverish vision that embraces the strange and revels in its own madness. The film succeeds not just as a horror or a thriller but as an audiovisual symphony of grief, rage, and retribution. For those who can handle the slow-burn build and the over-the-top spectacle, it’s a film that leaves an imprint long after the credits roll.
In the end, Mandy earns a solid 3.5/5. It’s an audacious, genre-bending ride with mesmerizing visuals and a powerhouse performance from Cage. It’s not for everyone, but for those willing to surrender to its trippy embrace, it’s a journey worth taking.