Mandy Movie Review: I Don't Normally Like Nicholas Cage Movies But This One Is Bat S%t Crazy!

"Mandy" is directed by Panos Cosmatos and cowritten with Aaron Stewart-Ahn. It was released in September and is currently available on Shudder, Google Play, YouTube and Amazon (for a fee). The movie is not for the squeamish. It is hyperviolent with lots of blood. Think of it as the less flashy and more artsy cousin of a Rob Zombie movie.

The story opens with a couple-- Mandy (Andrea Riseborough) and Red (Nicholas Cage). They are living a quiet existence in what looks like the Pacific Northwest. He works as a logger. She works at a local gas station. Many is big on fantasy novels. Both appear to have had a troubled past (she has a scar under one eye, he may be a recovering alcoholic). Regardless of the specifics, they seem to love and trust each other.

Mandy catches the eye of a local cult leader. Jeremiah Sand (Linus Roach) decides he must have her. It's obvious that all the members of the Children Of The New Dawn are completely bonkers. They kidnap the woman and subject her to some weird treatment. What's up with being stung by that wasp? Jeremiah tries to seduce Mandy. She's not buying his BS. Unfortunately that doesnt mean things will end well for her.

The rest of the movie is a revenge fantasy in which Red takes out everyone associated with his wife's murder. He has a crossbow and a big battle axe (which he forged himself). I would personally suggest a few guns. Just saying.

First off the motorcycle gang (the Black Skulls) are targeted. They look like demons, they sound like demons. Are they really demons? One of the reasons they're so fierce is they are hyped up on some ultra powerful LSD. Red tries a little and it blows his mind.

Next up Red looks for the cult's hangout. He finds a weird church structure in a rock quarry. There's an epic chain saw battle with one of the followers. Yes, you ready that correctly.

The final showdown is of course Red vs Jeremiah. Jeremiah doesnt seem so tough now. What a sniveling loser. Red has his revenge and heads off into the night. What's next for Red? Do you think he'll ever be in touch with reality again.

One of the best things about "Mandy" is we're not sure what's real and what's not. The landscape at time changes from a wooded forest into an alien planet. The environment goes completely red at times. The music (by Johann Johannsson) is hard driving heavy metal. All these factors serve to give the movie an other worldly feel.

Grade: 5 Monsters (out of 5). Loved it!!! "Mandy" is bat s^#t crazy. I felt like I was on acid after watching it. The movie does not anchor itself in reality (which makes it that much better). Kudos to Nicolas Cage for going there. This time his "over the top" performance pays off... in a big way. The heavy metal soundtrack and color scene (much of the movie is completely red) combine to make "Mandy" a cult classic.