When we first caught wind of Abruptio, we were deeply intrigued. Evan Marlowe‘s life-sized puppet horror combines comedy, mystery and blood in a surrealistic horror/thriller. It also features an absolutely stacked voice cast including the vocal talents of James Marsters, Jordan Peele, Robert Englund (A Nightmare on Elm Street), Christopher McDonald (The Faculty), Hana Mae Lee (The Babysitter), Rich Fulcher (The Mighty Boosh) and the iconic Sid Haig (House of 1000 Corpses) in one of his final roles.
Even the stills were deeply unsettling. There's something about the lifelike, but still very puppet-like puppets that strikes a chord. Their expressions a little too human in a way that causes one to take pause and take notice.
Director Marlowe describes it as “a darkly comedic horror film,” stating that it has “as much in common with Franz Kafka as it does Ray Chandler. It pays homage to the groundbreaking cinema of the 1970s while pushing the envelope in its own right.” Abruptio follows Les Hackel, a man who hates his life, working a dead end job. Oh, he was also just dumped by his girlfriend, and he lives with his nag of a mother.
When Les discovers a fresh incision on the back of his neck, his friend tells him it's a bomb. Messages begin to come on, forcing Les to “carry out missions with deadly results.” Les partners up with strange characters to commit heinous tasks as violence escalates around him, before ultimately piecing together clues that reveal the horrific plans to breed a monstrous race of beings.
We have some questions about Marlowe's unique labor of love. Luckily the director shared an exclusive (and incredibly gory) clip and entertained our queries. Take a look below.
What inspired you to use puppets?
Kerry (Producer): I woke up from a dream where everybody was a realistic puppet. I don't remember that happening, but it seems about right. From there I wanted to develop that idea as a theme, motivating the story as opposed to being a gimmick. So, why are we puppets? Someone or something is making us do things against our will. Like a bomb ready to go off in our necks.
That theme nudged open the door of the movie, but it ended up creating a conflict that is deeply unnerving, because the eye wants to see real people. It doesn't know what to make of these humanish things. And not only do I not allow it, but the puppets treat each other very poorly, which is unpleasant to watch. So you become invested and repulsed, and yet…they're just puppets. It's a disorienting experience. It's a nightmare.
Which three films inspired the film and why?
Evan Marlowe (Director): That's an interesting question, since the movie evolved over the seven or so years it took to make. So, the original inspiration may have been forgotten in time.
But what it became was an unflinching look at violence, for which I'd credit Michael Haneke. Let's say Benny's Video. It is noir in its bleakness and atmosphere, so any number of noir classics seeped in there. There are definitely many references to '70s sci-fi and horror, particularly giallo, so credit is due to Suspiria. That's a strange blend, I guess.
What were some of the highlights making this film?
EM: I look for challenges. Nearly every set piece in Abruptio held some impossible-to-shoot challenge I had to problem-solve. How to make a puppet smoke or drive a car or shower? That was fun, and yet painful. The ability to notch wins every time we figured out solutions. I liken it to Fitzcarraldo. Why ride a boat around the mountain when you can haul it over the top?
Of course, working with actors like James Marsters, Robert Englund, Sid Haig, and Jordan Peele was a huge highlight. I love horror films, so this cast was a dream come true.
What key experiences did you learn from on your early films that you carried over into Abruptio?
EM: Hey, sounds simple, but get your shots in focus! Beyond that, you need a detailed plan, with contingencies, before you step onto set. Especially with a skeleton crew and a low budget. Visualize your day hour by hour, work smartly, and delegate. And accept you're going to feel like a horse danced the Nutcracker on you by the end of the day.
You've had a limited theatrical run in the US. How's the response been?
EM: As with our 2023 festival run, the response has been mostly enthusiastic. It's the sort of film you have to set your wavelength to in order to appreciate it, since it's such a foreign experience, and it doesn't play by the rules on many levels. When I say it's divisive, that's what I had expected. FANGORIA gave Skinamarink an award last year, and the response to that was what I expected. I watched that movie twice and was mesmerized both times, but it got a ton of hate. A lot of art will do that, but hey, why be safe? If you want safe, the theaters are full of movies.
What's next for you and the project?
EM: Abruptio finished up its theatrical run late last year before being released on DVD/Blu-Ray and streaming. As for me, I've got a drawer full of scripts I'm ready to bring to life. I doubt any of them will have puppets, but you never know.
Abruptio is streaming free on Pluto TV, Flex, and The Roku Channel. You can also find it streaming on Prime, and for rent on VOD. Take a peek at the exclusive clip of this incredibly gory puppet horror movie below.
