Horror films often mirror reality and real fears. And that’s the case with American Carnage by director Diego Hallivis. The movie, laced with humor, tackles some heavy subjects, including immigration, and the fear of growing old.
In the film, a party for PJ’s sister is interrupted by an ICE team based on a law passed by a twisted governor who wants both illegals and their US-born children gone before election day. PJ is one of the teens sent to a senior facility to serve for three months to have the charges of aiding an illegal (his mom) dropped. But things take a very sinister turn when PJ and his new friends learn the truth about the center and the fate that awaits them. Of course, they refuse to go down without a fight. The big twist is a nasty one that will leave you thinking twice about ever eating fast food again.
Part of the story is taken right out of the headlines and goes back to the news when in 2019/2020, the government took a hard stance on illegals and formed detention centers where they kept people, including kids, in cages that looked more like tall dog pens than a place fit for humans. That aspect combines with fiction to make a movie that entertains and makes you think. The heavy elements of the film, the horror aspects, and the humor balance out so well, and my friends, that is hard to accomplish. T
Jorge Lendeborg Jr. stars as the lovable PJ, a regular guy who works at a fast food place (which ties into the movie’s big twist). Allen Maldonado plays the lady killer (not literally) “Big Mac,” whom PJ befriends at the facility. The rag-tag group also includes Scream actress Jenna Ortega as the outspoken, tough Camilla. Rounding out the group is Bell Ortiz. The movie has several bad guys, but the two biggest bads are played by Eric Dane, the mastermind, and Bret Cullen, who plays the Governor, your typical money and power-hungry politician, willing to go to extreme lengths to get what he wants, re-elected.
American Carnage is a brutal but fun flick that is disturbing on so many levels. And I guarantee that some scenes will creep you out the hell out; they did me, and you’ll know exactly what they are when you watch it. For those of you who are gore lovers, it’s got that too. Fans of special effects will be amazed by the makeup effects in the movie. It’s got something for everyone.
So, is it worth watching? Yes, absolutely. Add it to your “must watch” list immediately, it’s a brutal, but fun exploration of the horrors of immigration. It arrives on Digital and On Demand on July 15, 2022.
