User Reviews

Well, call it what you want but this one doesn't go down too smoothly. Perhaps misunderstood, but most likely a mess of random scenes, coming from a first time director, The Faceless Man makes sense only if you decide to watch it and appreciate it from the exact point of view that the director had.

If you go in expecting an Aussie horror, usually a slasher that is a tad bit brutal, you fill find some elements of that here, but the execution makes it look like a C movie. After a very difficult first and second act, where action blends with - i guess humor- the third one will manage to make sense, just a little, more of a way to tie them together and offer some closure to what you watched.

I couldn't recommend this to anyone, to be honest, not even to our Aussie friends, but if you do decide to watch it, expect to feel like you're on drugs and don't bother for things to make too much sense.

Cheers!

Low visual effect and class d production. Story is a mess with pointless killing and no supporting. Pay me money I won't watch.

At least 3 different characters in this really had a problem with people bringing drugs into their town!! And whoa some nifty speeches about the TOWn as well. Nifty I say!!! Oh WOW how bad this movie was. It really should have stayed in Australia.

And I'll tell you another thing, I've heard the expression 'Go Pound Sand', but pounding sand with a fist was actually DONE in this 'movie'. And that's something I've never seen in a movie so this movie really has to get at least 2 stars! 2/10

Trying to get over her cancer diagnosis, a woman agrees to join her friends for a weekend getaway of drugs and partying, but when the town of locals starts to become hostile towards them it becomes the least of her worries as a bizarre figure from her nightmares also starts hunting them.

This was an enjoyable if somewhat flawed effort. When this one works is mainly due to the genuinely creepy and chilling imagery of the titular creature that is shown stalking her. The creatures' presence is featured when she's alone with blinking lights, a distorted hellish soundscape and the barest hints of something otherworldly stalking around her with the excessively long fingers and claws grabbing at her while she's unaware of it being there. These are then preceded by explosively violent blood-vomiting that creates a wholly creepy experience. As well, the film's second-half scores well with the sense of action featured here. As the various forces here begin to converge on the town, with the locals coming to get far more physical about their disdain for the friends' presence there and the criminal gang leaving a trail of destruction shooting anyone they come across this picks up in intensity. Once they get to terrorizing the friends and working in the attempts to get their product while featuring enough glimpses of the figure chasing her, this one gets intriguing and enjoyable when it matters making for a lot to like with the extra bloodshed and action featured here. There are some problems to be had here. The main issue here is the film's overlong running time that tends to come about due to additional sequences or way too many subplots than necessary. The opening at the doctors' office is far longer than needed to sell what's going on between her and her father which could've been trimmed slightly to get to the point faster, much like the cafe they visit which are both required scenes but take too long. As well, the subplot about the drug-runner following after them could've been eliminated as this one manages to intrude on the other plotlines involving the psycho town or the supernatural entity chasing them. The other issue with this one is the complete tone shift throughout that indicates it doesn't know what it wants to do. The inclusion of the various subplots here strike up several different tones with the drug-runner feeling like a crime drama, the psycho town is a black comedy and the creature is a true genre effort and it's never smoothly integrated at all, especially with the creature being the shortest one here and coming off like an afterthought as there are very few scenes with it. These are what hold this one back.

Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Language, Graphic Violence, drug use and a Rape scene.

I watched this movie on drugs and I actually think it would be even less coherent if I were sober.

This is director James Di Martino's first feature film and he's got a lot to learn. Most of the actors' performances were sub-par and the pacing was its own horror. And what's with the lazy writing, James? WAY too much use of whatchamacallit and even thigamajig by the supposedly threatening bad guys. And finally, the obtuse anti-drug messaging by those that clearly look like drug dealers, just too much that doesn't make good story sense.

I had to utilize my 15-minute rule, so I gave up. The director let scenes linger for FAR longer than they should have. The first scene: We GET it, she hates the guy! But, no, it goes on forever, repetitiously, awkwardly. The party of lames is when I finally gave up. I couldn't care less about these boring people at their bland party, but the movie makes you spend so much time with them, suspended in that moment. Even the main character criticizes the party. When I agreed with her, I knew I was done. It needs to be re-edited.

Absolutely Brilliant! The Faceless Man is the perfect mix of horror, comedy and action. The combination of the storyline, cinematography and acting is truly incredible! Couldn't take my eyes of the screen. A must see!!!

Filmed in and around Melbourne, The Faceless Man is an Ozploitation genre mash-up from the mind of debut feature film director James Di Martino, that sees horror embodied in a horrifying new way thanks to its titular creation, that was born out of the director's own personal experience dealing with cancer, ensuring The Faceless Man is more than just a simple gore-filled black comedy.

It's not to say there's not humour, claret and oddball characters to be found here, as The Faceless Man's inspiration from films such as The Evil Dead and Get Out is apparent throughout (plus a lovingly staged nod to Reservoir Dogs interrogation scene) but Di Martino's film has more beneath the surface that makes it a far more enjoyable ride in the long run, as this crazed creation takes us on a wild journey to the fictional town of Orange Lodge.

Centred around a group of friends drug-fuelled trip to the seemingly rural and relaxing Orange Lodge, that quickly showcases itself as a town overtaken by a bunch of bloodthirsty and far from normal residents, that are led by Roger Ward's King Dougie, The Faceless Man follows familiar genre tropes but also works hard to subvert expectations, as Sophie Thurling's cancer survivor Emily Beckman not only deals with angry crime bosses and upset locals, but fear incarnate in the form of the gruesome looking Faceless Man.

A monstrous and wonderfully crafted creation that is one of the most memorable "big bads" created in an Australian film in some time, Di Martino uses the Faceless Man sparingly but effectively as he begins to torment Emily and her friends as their fears come to life in horrifying and spine chilling ways.

There's nothing overly subtle here as the film is more than willing to confront the beast that is cancer head on, while also lopping heads and introducing us to characters such as Barry the ***(very naughty word) in what's an eclectic array of themes, subjects and ideas and while it doesn't always gel in the most efficient of ways, when The Faceless Man expertly combines its mixing of the surreal with the darkly comic and confronting, it showcases a filmmaker in the form of Di Martino who has here showed himself to be a director unafraid to take risks and do things his own way.

Di Martino is also ably supported by his game cast of Australian acting staples such as Ward (a member of the original Mad Max), Snowtown breakout star Lucas Pittaway and Andy Mcphee as inappropriate joker Eddie Silver Beard, headlining a jam-packed cast list that features a great collection of up and comers and long serving veterans, ensuring that The Faceless Man is a step above its other independent counterparts that often feel rough and unrefined in comparison.

It's truly a journey unlike any other, a local offering that feels born entirely out of the energy and determination of its filmmaker and while there's a lot to be desired in a refinement sense, you can't help but have a great time on The Faceless Man's wild 90 or so minute journey.

Final Say -

Sure to please gorehounds and fans of pitch black horror comedy, The Faceless Man is a memorable debut from Di Martino and one of 2019's most unique Australian offerings.

3 cups of coffee out of 5

I don't know where to begin. As a movie with a well developed narrative and strong character motives it fails miserably. It's like a long violent episode of Fat Pizza, or Psychovillie if you're British. I can't think of an American equivalent. But it's enduring and I got some laughs out of it. Sadly it's not really about the faceless man, he's just tacked on at random intervals, which is a shame because the design is very well done. It's about young city dwellers clashing with country folk while a drug dealer is on the hunt.

At one point they get served filtered coffee by a waitress and that simply doesn't happen in Australia. Apart from that, it's a good cheesy effort in... making whatever this is.

Wow. This was a huge effort. I had no idea what I was in for with this film. Never heard of many of the actors and from a first time writer-director. While my rating can be subjective I must say this film balances so many genres and references and for my money it works on such a high scale. I will say this. In a few years this film will be a very popular cult classic.

The subtext is there from the first shot. The Faceless Man means so much more than the creature. Now I could be going into this too deep and perhaps I am. There are many aspects to The Faceless Man that require an additional watch to piece the film together. For me the many layers adds a lot of depth that is not often seen in general horror films.

This film is as crazy as it comes. Just when I thought I worked it out it threw curve ball after curve ball. At times I struggled to understand the different genres and then just sit back and enjoyed the ride. Some great solid scenes and while I dont think everything worked well it was memoriable and I had a good time overall. A cult classic

The Faceless Man is an Australian horror movie from James Di Martino, making his feature-length debut. It deals with a group of friends heading out for a getaway and running afoul of a violent gangster, a biker gang, finding lots of drugs, and being haunted by the titular creature.

If that sounds like a lot of things, well it is. Di Martino does not lack ambition and luckily, he has the acumen to back it up. The Faceless Man seamlessly jumps from one style (the dry, dark humor and violence of the gangster) to the other (the fear of cancer coming back) with relative ease. Each person (or group) represents a specific tone and when all the tones come crashing together it is chaos... in the best possible way.

Of course, if the cast were not up to the task, all the ambition in the world could not save Di Martino (nor could the 8-minute tracking shot that opens the film). Happily, the director lucked out here, as everyone is amazing. They all understand the strange combo that is this movie and deliver appropriately. This means that the horror is reacted to with real scares, the comedy gets big laughs, etc.

The true star of the film is the Faceless Man himself. The makeup effects on the creature are top-notch and on their own, would make one believe the budget was much higher than it was.

The Faceless Man is hard to pin, but it is very much worth your time.

Having read mixed reviews across the net. I did not know what I was in for. Was this a serious drama? was it a comedy? Was it a horror? Once I sat down and watch it and stayed for the ride. I realized that this film is a rollercoaster ride of emotions. A film like no other and a journey that would stay with me for some time. The artistic approach and the interpretation of some scenes may be jarring to some. But for me it was a highlight of a film that did not hold my hand.

The opening shot, which lasted nine minutes, was truly amazing. Everyone performed very well, especially Roger Ward, Sophie Thurling and Brendan Bacon. Expecting a lot more good movies from director James Di Martino.

Well....there is a LOT going on here. A little too much honestly. This movie is as confusing as it can be for quite a while because- well, there's too damn much going on. It does all come together, and it's a fun, bats-- crazy ride when it starts to. Recommended for horror fans with patience and those with a taste for offbeat ultra dark comedy.

A must watch horror, The Faceless Man delivers exceptional quality and quantity of horror elements that viewers will love. Can't recommend enough!

It was a nice experience. Everyone performed very well.