Review: Baphomet

Text © Richard Gary / Indie Horror Films, 2021
Images from the Internet

Baphomet
Directed by Matthan Harris
Incisive Pictures; Cyfuno Ventures; Cleopatra Entertainment; MVD Visual
72 minutes, 2021
www.facebook.com/baphometmovie
www.cleopatra-entertainment.com
www.MVDVisual.com

To be clear, “Baphomet is a deity that the Knights Templar were accused of worshiping, and that was incorporated into occult and mystical traditions. The name Baphomet appeared in trial transcripts for the Inquisition of the Knights Templar starting in 1307” (thank you Wikipedia).

Now that is out of the way, just from the name it is not hard to guess that this will have something to do with witchcraft, covens, and the like. Well, you would be right. And who doesn’t love a bloodthirsty cult film, eh wot?

Usually, the cult is introduced either at the very beginning or the very end to this genre’s releases, and here it is right off the bat with the first scene, so I am not really giving anything away. The coven is led by Henrik Brandr (the infamous Giovanni Lombardo Radice, who was in giallo classics by the likes of Fulci, Soavi and Deodato, and one of the main stars of Lenzi’s 1981 Cannibal Ferox; recently he’s been in the likes of the 2006 remake of The Omen, and the underrated 2009 House of Flesh Mannequins), and right from the start you know they are not only up to no good, but prone towards the sacrifice/slaughter of others.

Colin Ward and Rebecca Weaver

As the story starts, Henrik’s son, the creepy Aksel (Stephen Brodie), asks to buy the land from well-to-do (from the looks of the house) Jacob (Colin Ward), who seems to overreact in anger to the request. Sure, Aksel is a bit pushy, but Jacob seems hellbent (pun intended) to be pissed off. Naturally, this will not end well by the conclusion; it is easy to tell even from this scene five minutes in. To paraphrase the words of that great philosopher Edward Norton, this brings “a pox on them and all their ancestors.”

This affects Jacob’s family dearly, including Jacob’s wife, Elena (Ivy Opdyke), their pregnant daughter, Rebecca (Rebecca Weaver) and her husband, Mark (director Matthan Harris). If he will not give up the land, expect to be knocked off one by one, often through Henrik’s spells or by a mysterious, brutish figure dressed in black (massive Nick Principe; I have been a fan since 2014’s Collar). 

Charlotte Bjornbek

With all the mayhem of the first act, the real focus of the film comes into effects with the introduction of "white" witch Marybeth (solid acting by Charlotte Bjornbek), as it settles into the final battle of good versus evil, or as I like to call it, playtime.

The violence throughout the story is plentiful, the blood and gore are gruesome and the SFX is incredibly well done. Same with the costuming and make-up. There is a nice, high body count, some of it coming quick, others lingering in close-up.

Dani Filth

There is a fun Skype cameo by Dani Filth, vocalist and lyricist of the metal band Cradle of Filth, among others, as an expert on the Occult (which Filth is in real life, as well). The role is not taxing, and he does well with it. It is odd to see him without beard or make-up, but that does not take away from the role.

There are a couple of holes here and there, but the storyline is fluid and I am happy to say that there were times I was grateful that it dodged some cliches, such as using certain good-person-who-ends-up-being-evil motifs (I could think of at least two they avoided). Most of the acting is decent, and it is well shot with good editing and lighting.

Giovanni Lombardo Radice

Basically, there is no wild steps taken out of the narrative flow, though some surprises, and it truly is a case of you getting exactly what you would expect for this genre. It’s like comfort food in that it is cozy yet enjoyable.

There are lots of extras included, such as a Dani Filth backstage interview (9 min.), which is actually before a concert in Dallas rather than during the filming. It covers a wide range of topics, including the filming, getting tattooed, and his band, Cradle of Filth, which is a fun watch. This is followed by a music video by TANK, featuring 5-octive range Filth, called “Shellshock.” If you are a fan of Filth, you know the style. However, I would recommend seeing it after watching the film, because the only visuals are from Baphomet, and it shows too much of the action and can ruin the story with spoilers.

The Deleted and Extended Scenes (13 min) were rightfully excised, but are entertaining to watch, as is true with the Outtakes (7 min), which could also be called the Blooper Reel. If you like that kind of thing, you will not be disappointed. There is some Behind the Scenes pictures, character art and storyboards by the talented artist Jason Millet, the teaser trailer, and a nice selection of Cleopatra Entertainment film trailers.

To me, though, the takeaway lesson of the whole megillah, genre film or real life, is never, ever go paddle boarding by yourself.