Erzulie

source: Erzulie

Well, I have to say that was initially lured into watching the 2022 movie "Erzulie" given the movie's cover/poster and a somewhat interesting synopsis. Sure, I had never heard about the movie prior to sitting down to watch it, so I wasn't sure what to expect from writers Christine W. Chen and Camille Gladney. And now having just sat through the movie, I have to say that this movie was definitely something in its own league, a rather unique and strange movie. I can't say that I was overly impressed by the storyline, as it wasn't really all that interesting, but there were some good enough aspects to it here and there. But overall, then "Erzulie" wasn't a movie that tickled me in any of the right places. While the storyline is pretty straight forward, it is still somewhat out there. And writers Christine W. Chen and Camille Gladney just didn't manage to put together a wholesome enough script to provide me with much of any entertainment or enjoyment here. The acting performances in the movie were adequate. I mean, you're not in for any groundbreaking Shakespearian performances here. But the actresses and actors did adequately well with the limitations imposed upon them by the limiting script. Visually then "Erzulie" was okay. Sure, this wasn't a movie that used a whole lot of special effects, and whatever was there was good enough. The movie could, perhaps, have benefitted from implementing more special effects to spruce up the entire experience. All in all, I wasn't impressed or particularly bedazzled by "Erzulie". As such, my rating of director Christine W. Chen's 2022 movie lands on a four out of ten stars.

It is always fun to watch a flick not made by Hollywood, because you never know what the story or director might be going for. I'll give this team an A for effort. All the main actors were natural and believable. The tone was consistent in some ways but had some over the top comedy hijinks towards the end. You know I was fine with some comic relief, we laughed. Female characters were well fleshed out, yet the male parts were mostly a combination of mean, aggressive, and comedy. I suppose it fits their description of a feminist voodoo mermaid flick. One thing I had hoped for was less year 2022 Hollywood/politics in movies. I didn't read the descriptions going in so was open to whatever. I haven't seen Chen's other movies to get a feel, but this one sort of ticked off all the current political tropes I was hoping to avoid. Women good, man bad. Even more so, white man bad. Check. Friends/couples must be different races. Check. Non-standard sexuality, check. It wasn't overbearing at least, and I could see these gals being friends just fine, so I could enjoy the movie no problem. The actors: Kirkpatrick was able to portray various styles quite well. Rose had perhaps the most nuanced portrayal, you could see something haunting in those close-ups, well done. Graham was believable as an abused, broken young lady. Trieu was interesting as someone I've perhaps witnessed as (I'm guessing she is adopted based on her character's generic white American name) the somewhat spoiled adopted kid that cares about friends but is perhaps too selfish to be the heroine. Oliviér seemed genuine and likeable... I think she spoke like a counselor would. Scott was a great choice as a voodoo monster with a slight attitide... her annoyed demeanor while sitting high and dry with the fish tail was funny. What could have been done a little better- near the end I couldn't tell who was on which team as the struggle near the water unfolded. Also I would have enjoyed more local color... Kirkpatrick's accent was natural, but one of the thug's was more Civil War confederate than natural. One extra with a true Cajun accent would have been nice. Random things I liked about the setting: The weird houses on stilts, the general store, tubing in muddy water, cypress knees, and an invasive bamboo forest all were nice touches... felt like Southern Louisiana. The idea of a voodoo mermaid was strange yet fun.

This is the first Low-Budget film I have seen in awhile that was not horrible. If you have ever seen Mermaid Down and liked that, then you will like this one. This is a Mermaid horror done well. I don't feel like my time was waisted by watching this movie. As always be your own judge.

Heading together for a reunion, a group of friends plans a trip to a remote Louisiana swamp where they come face-to-face with the voodoo-resurrected mermaid guardian which soon starts a rampage against the community forcing them to decide between the creature and the revenge that she provides. This was a pretty solid and enjoyable genre effort with a lot to like. The main feature to like here is the highly impressive setup that provides a fun building block to the later carnage. Since so much of this one is based on the main group of friends and how they come together to protect not just each other but the creature rampaging through the community, they come off as the kind of enjoyable and reasonable group of friends who would come together naturally feels quite enjoyable with the number of likable qualities they bring together. As well, that sets up the fun here once they realize the creature has been unleashed and the power that she has which leads into a solid series of scenes that provide plenty of fun encounters here where she attacks others so there's a fun finale involving some nice action in the sequence. For the most part, these hold the film up for the most part. There are some drawbacks to be had with this one that holds it back. The biggest issue here is the film's rather scattershot storyline that has way more going on than it really needs to. That there's enough in place here with the group coming back together and going through their own struggles, not just with their recent job loss but also the struggles with their personal or dating lives, would've served this one well enough once they realize they've used black magic to summon the spirit that's now rampaging through the community. Getting to see them together and bonding while realizing that there's a killer creature in their midst to protect from others would've been fine but to incorporate all kinds of excess baggage involving the returning abusive ex-boyfriend, a corrupt landowner, and a toxic waste dump in the area which is all extremely clumsy and awkwardly inserted into this to appear as a fully-functioning storyline when it didn't need to be. The other minor drawback here, which isn't all that detrimental but does hold it back somewhat, is the rather underwhelming pacing in the first half that makes the film quite a bit longer feeling than it should be in this part of the film. The introduction to this one getting a glimpse of the various personal problems and struggles that come to pass so we get a sense of them before they find the girl in the woods which is fine if takes way too long to get going. Establishing all the various subplots and sidestories keeps this one going along at a sluggish pace that makes for a struggle to generate any kind of momentum which is also a part of the problematic storyline having way too much going on. As well, there's also the issue with the budget keeping this one down as it's quite obvious here with the lack of action, flimsy make-up work on the creature, and the generally bloodless kills which are relegated to the aftermath when it happens which hold this down. Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Violence, Graphic Language, and Brief Nudity.

For an indie film, the cinematography, writing, acting, etc. Are done quite well in Erzulie. I'm a man and typically prefer masculine protagonists, but I found this journey of young women fun and appropriate for the story. I don't want to give away too much more, because I believe Erzulie should be experienced minute-by-minute as a film. So go give it a chance! On a final note, Christine Chen is clearly a solid filmmaker, and I'm looking forward to seeing what she does next.

Four friends - Fay, Violet, Wendy and Allison - have taken a vacation at a Louisiana resort, a place where one guest has already been devoured by an alligator and toxic waste has ruined the water. And when Fay's abusive boyfriend shows up, not even a spell to Ezruile, the protector of women, children and the neglected gets answered. Then, they find a woman lying by the river who changes everything. Ezruile isn't the best horror movie you'll see, but it's trying something different. It has something to say about the nature of male and female relationships, about friends and the environment without getting preachy. After all, it's a movie about a mermaid who is conjured by the four women to solve their problems. It finds its heroines not only dealing with the vengeance of the titular goddess, but attempting to save her from men who would keep her from her divine path. Director Christine W. Chen - who co-wrote this movie with Camille Gladney - has been building a resume of shorts and television work. You can see some genuine craft and art here. This isn't just another streaming cheap throwaway, despite its low budget.

It is always fun to watch a flick not made by Hollywood, because you never know what the story or director might be going for. I'll give this team an A for effort. All the main actors were natural and believable. The tone was consistent in some ways but had some over the top comedy hijinks towards the end. You know I was fine with some comic relief, we laughed. Female characters were well fleshed out, yet the male parts were mostly a combination of mean, aggressive, and comedy. I suppose it fits their description of a feminist voodoo mermaid flick. One thing I had hoped for was less year 2022 Hollywood/politics in movies. I didn't read the descriptions going in so was open to whatever. I haven't seen Chen's other movies to get a feel, but this one sort of ticked off all the current political tropes I was hoping to avoid. Women good, man bad. Even more so, white man bad. Check. Friends/couples must be different races. Check. Non-standard sexuality, check. It wasn't overbearing at least, and I could see these gals being friends just fine, so I could enjoy the movie no problem. The actors: Kirkpatrick was able to portray various styles quite well. Rose had perhaps the most nuanced portrayal, you could see something haunting in those close-ups, well done. Graham was believable as an abused, broken young lady. Trieu was interesting as someone I've perhaps witnessed as (I'm guessing she is adopted based on her character's generic white American name) the somewhat spoiled adopted kid that cares about friends but is perhaps too selfish to be the heroine. Oliviér seemed genuine and likeable... I think she spoke like a counselor would. Scott was a great choice as a voodoo monster with a slight attitide... her annoyed demeanor while sitting high and dry with the fish tail was funny. What could have been done a little better- near the end I couldn't tell who was on which team as the struggle near the water unfolded. Also I would have enjoyed more local color... Kirkpatrick's accent was natural, but one of the thug's was more Civil War confederate than natural. One extra with a true Cajun accent would have been nice. Random things I liked about the setting: The weird houses on stilts, the general store, tubing in muddy water, cypress knees, and an invasive bamboo forest all were nice touches... felt like Southern Louisiana. The idea of a voodoo mermaid was strange yet fun.

source: Erzulie

This is the first Low-Budget film I have seen in awhile that was not horrible. If you have ever seen Mermaid Down and liked that, then you will like this one. This is a Mermaid horror done well. I don't feel like my time was waisted by watching this movie. As always be your own judge.