Sundance Review: MANDY Takes Nicolas Cage on an Insane Psychedelic Journey of Bloody Revenge!

I really had no idea what I was getting myself into when I saw this movie Mandy other than the fact that it stars Nicolas Cage. And holy shit... this thing turned out to be bat-shit Insane! 

I’ll be honest, the first half of the film I actually wanted to get up and walk out of the movie. It was very much a psychedelic dream-like type story with synthesized music and crazy lighting and colors with a story that didn't seem to be going anywhere. I was like “what the hell is this shit?!” But there were little things here and there that kept me in my seat. Little things that kept my interest intact. 

Then, when the movie hit the second half, it was time to buckle up because this movie takes you on a ride of pure unadulterated insanity!!! If you like watching Nicolas Cage go completely bonkers, this movie gives you his most bonkers and adrenaline-fueled performance yet! I’m not even joking! Watching Cage in this movie is worth the price of admission. 

The story is set in 1983 in the Shadow Mountains and Red Miller’s (Cage) peaceful life comes crashing down when his girlfriend Mandy is brutally murdered by a vile religious cult filled with crazy nuts and supernatural demon-like creatures. Oh! And I have to tell you! Cage gets into a freakin' chainsaw battle with one of these demons! It's teased in the poster above.

In his broken state, Red finds the strength within himself to embark on a journey of bloody, violent revenge. He forges himself a gnarly battle ax and goes on the hunt. On the mission of vengeance and madness, Nicolas Cage brutally battles a gang of biker demons and hunts down the religious cult that killed his lady, and he makes sure to show them no mercy.

Mandy can be described as being the best worst movie, and I mean that in a good way. You’ll know what I’m talking about if you ever watch it. The movie is an explosion to your senses and by the end of it, audiences will be cheering for Cage to get his revenge. 

I’ve never seen a film like this. A film that at one point I just do not like at all, to being one hell of an awesome movie that I absolutely enjoyed. This was definitely a unique movie-going experience, and a first for me.

The movie was directed by Panos Cosmatos (Beyond the Black Rainbow) and it also stars Andrea Riseborough as Mandy Bloom, Red’s girlfriend.

This movie isn’t for everyone. You are either going to love it, hate it, or both! If you do decide to give it a shot, you have to watch it all the way to the end!