@@kp1x I seen a lot of titles who like this, do not receive the proper attention they deserve, but also the opposite...have great reviews on rotten tomatoes and other review platforms and are literally crap in terms of artistic work, writing, acting and/or execution. Why are you or should anybody be amazed? We live during times where even songs become hits on the radio just because the record label pushes the envelope of £$€ for them to become hits.
''Professional'' critics are incredibly out of touch. When they recommend something I tend to see that as a warning sign and if they condemn a movie I'm more inclined to think it might be good. As for RT, it's meaningless now. So manipulated.
@@list3058 is not like I didn't know what I mentioned there. But is more about a reminder of something obvious and clear that people tend to forget. Is the reality...
@@Georgesspierrethis comment struck my interest 😂 hold up bud, you’re telling me you actively do this without knowing why everyone does it?! 😂 I love this vibe It’s chaotic
Same here. I ended up really enjoying it. I didn’t find it as unsettling as Lake Mungo (only making the comparison because I watched it based on Chris’s recommendation), but it was quite good.
I saw it in theatres and I was ranting about how much I loved it in my class and people were like “meh” and I feel so validated that there’s other people who appreciate it.
Just watched it. Super impressed. The cosmic horror actually really freaked me out (a timeless malevolent mind reaching into our shared subconsciousness etc.)
I saw the trailer and I wrote this movie off immediately. The trailer made the movie look like a trash B movie poopfest and after watching the first 30 minutes I'm stunned how off all the impressions were.
When he went into the cult headquarters...continually going deeper, to lower floors, and worse lighting and more foreboding. Every second, I felt it was more certain he wasn't going to make it out alive I think the most interesting scene was toward the end, when he was in the hospital talking to the nurse....and you kept realizing something was off...then more off...and throughout the movie, it felt like you were constantly seeing little revelations... It reminded me of In The Mouth Of Madness. I kept seeing hints that maybe parts weren't real. A few serious chills up the spine. A sleeper.
This movie had a lot of scenes where you thought the jump scare was coming, especially in that scene at the institute, but it never did, and that's almost worse. You're left in a continual state of anticipation.
I rented this movie a year ago after seeing this review, and it's something I still think about almost daily. I can't describe my feelings about this film, and by all means, it should'nt have that affect on me. I love how much I love this film, for no legit reason.
Smaller American back yards used those line drying carousels, from 4 to 6 sides. Larger yards had clothes lines strung between steel t-bars. All these things were usually set in concrete. I'm sure this was true in many urban areas around the world. The t-bars were everywhere, urban and rural.
That Director deserves more of his accomplishments. Working on the Fight Club DVD and this film. We need more directors that are unknown that needs some respect at Hollywood.
It's hit or miss, so maybe don't give them tentpole films right out the gate. Bring back mid-budget films so new directors can earn their spurs and gain recognition.
I was going to say that. Also the metal cylinders at the bridge are spinning Tibetian Prayer Wheels. I remember seeing them in the movie "The Golden Child" - that's dating me!
@@orangedalmatian We have clotheslines, but those umbrella-looking ones are very uncommon here. I've seen similar things here, but they're different shapes...mostly I recognized it from watching Aussie films.
@@orangedalmatian Americans do have clotheslines, usually linear but I've seen the "umbrella" kind. Of course this was back in the 50-60's. I'm sure they're still around.
This movie has some gorgeous cinematography! Some of my favourites were the map transition, the recurring shot (repetition, huh) of James reaching into his medicine cabinet and the POV shot where one character looks at the moon while holding up a finger.
James badge dale is the most underrated actor working today. The mans acting abilities are beyond captivating and i cant wait for him to get the respect he deserves
Just sitting here on a boring Sunday afternoon.. I decided to look at a few of your reviews I haven't watched.. So I watched this one.. Then decided to watch the movie.. DUDE!!!!! YOUR THE BEST!!! THIS MOVIE IS A CLEAR EXAMPLE WHY I SUBSCRIBE TO YOUR CHANNEL.. CAN'T WAIT UNTIL YOUR MOVIE PROJECT DROPS!!!!
Just watched it today, and all I can say is thanks for giving some support to this hidden gems that get lost in the sea of this franchise era of film. I love the cosmic horror hints of this movie.
The "spinning things" are buddhist prayer wheels, there are prayer scrolls inside with prayers written on them over and over, and when you spin them it's like repeating & releasing the prayers inside.
Thank you. I never would have given this movie a chance without your review, thinking it was another cog in the creepypasta-SlenderMan-trope machine. I believed every word you said, and LOVED this movie. Just finished it about an hour ago. What an absolute gem of a horror film! Hugs
This movie felt like a love letter to the horror genre. Sooo many references. From my mind I remember The ring, Hereditary, In the mouth of madness, Kill list, Drag me to hell and many more than I don't remember right now. Also I don't know If I'm reaching but that cool aerial shot reminded me of The shinning
This film truly is underseen and underappreciated. I thought it was great when I saw it in theatres, and enjoyed it even more on my second viewing. It's creepy, bizarre, super interesting and has a great atmosphere. It's certainly not perfect, but what movie is. I told my horror buddies that this will be a movie that gains respect over the years and it made my top 5 horror movies last year.
Who watched the whole video without seeing the movie- Me- why- well cause i don't know if ill get the chance to see it and cause clicking off the video hurts Chris youtube algorithm
At some point in the film I realized that Prior was inspired heavily by Angel Heart and I more or less guessed the ending. But it was great watching it play out.
At the time the film was released, Stephen Root was the most famous actor in the film, and that is a good thing. Much like Orsen Wells in "The Third Man", Root being the most famous actor in the film, made his speech stand out for me. While his scene is short, his speech gives some insight to what is going on.
Finally got around to watching this. I liked it even more then I thought I would after hearing you talk about it. Will definitely be rewatching this one!
I just watched this last night, thinking it was another cheesy movie but was impressed. The action and filming style kept you compelled to watch thru the 2 hr plus running time. The plot focus is the dialogue with the girl next door. It does weave the action and story though out the movie. This movie does feel like a Lovecraft movie. The use of shadows, lighting wide shots and recap shots help with the pacing, story and action of the film. This is a lot better moving than it's reviews. Thanks for the recap.
This was definitely the best Horror film since Hereditary. I wanted to watch it again immediately after it ended. I had no idea what the backstory was, great video.
The Empty Man is available on HBO Max. Based on your recommendation, I'm going to watch it today. I'll give my opinion after viewing. (Three Hours Later) Okay, just finished watching The Empty Man and I must say... that I really enjoyed it. The ending is a bit hallucinatory, but up until then it was excellent.
The empty man has always appealed to me I’ve watched it 3 times and each time I understand it more. I get the feeling it’s about derealization though or it can be, it’s all about perspective. I’ll watch the interview after this, thanks!
Much worse when people judging it without even seeing it yet, that's just the stupid thing modern audience is nowadays or even judging a movie based on a box office numbers without even seeing it, that's more stupid
It looked like one of the "peaceful protests" we have seen on the news every day for the last year. A bunch of assholes in black hoodies throwing bottles at a fleeing car. Sure, would be scary to be in that situation, but as far as scenes in horror movies go, this was lame and not scary at all.
8:38 That thing is inspired by a Polish artist named Beksiński. He painted mostly unnerving things such as this one, often as allegories for WWII. 9:12 Those things are prayer wheels. They are commonly used in Buddhism (i.a. in Tybet).
This film is related to The Matrix. The concept of Noosphere in Pontifex cult is same as the matrix that the characters in the movies lived in. If we all think hard enough, the matrix will have to accommodate. Also, The Empty Man was filmed in South Africa of all places.
My wife and I went to see this movie at the drive-in on release expecting a shitty peepee poopoo man style movie. We were totally blown away by how insane this movie got the more we watched and actually left really happy we went to see it.
This movie is based on a graphic novel written by Cullen Bunn. That man has a great mind!! I highly recommend to read Harrow County, or any other books written by Cullen Bunn.
That "happy birthday" scene right after that tense prologue has got to be the best piece of comic relief i've ever seen. That facepalm he did was so real lmao.
Funny thing... it's literally his birth day. Another layer of irony And his last name is Theshadow in spanish... in the Pontifex survey one of the statements to rate 1-5 is "Not all shadows are cast from something" :D I love semi-fractal movies
Chris, you seem a lot more excited talking about underrated or obscure things nowadays than new releases. If taking about films like “The Empty Man,” is what excites you please do more videos like this.
No, it's just that new movies have barely came out since it's 2021. Once new films start coming out (Dune especially), he'll get way more excited. He was very happy back in 2019 with many successful films.
Really? I honestly got the opposite vibe when it came to effects. The CGI in the movie was very obvious and wonky. A few green screen scenes also took me out a bit.
See, I fell for this with chris before... he banged on about Lake Mungo. I finally got to watch it and felt it was quite a letdown. .... except one certain scene that gave me genuine chills. Will I try this one? ..... fool me once.....
I HATE people that HATE other people. The comment I respond to did not spread HATE. That is good. BUT! I get a lot of HATE comments on my amazing videos and I HATE it. Please don't start spreading HATE. Do I have to HATE you too, dear wat
Hey everyone! We finally have a Chris Stuckmann subreddit! It's simply called, r/ChrisStuckmann, founded by me and another awesome mod. We currently have 166 members, we are really hoping to increase asap so we can get a fully active and ongoing Chris Stuckmann fanbase community! So yeah, I'd really appreciate it if you check the Subreddit out, where we can discuss, appreciate and review film, as well as our favourite RU-vid critic, Mr Stuckmann himself! So yes, we would be so thankful if you joined, now please come over, so you can *GET STUCKMANIZED!* Thank you! :)
Just finally watched this, consider me a member of the cult that follows this. Incredible piece of horror, very well acted and directed, and maybe the best sound design and score I've heard in a long time. Loved it.
Yess!!! This. Comment. Right. Here! (Video)Podcast is the way to go, I already have a list of youtuber/filmcritics and movie industry people I'd like him to have on as a guest... He would be perfect for a podcast and seeing as how everybody and their aunt had one... It pains me when people I like and follow don't have one.. some don't fit a reason, they think it's a trend destined to die or that they will run out of guests or ideas... But come on... You can't run out of thing to talk about with cinema, especially Chris I don't think. Let's hope mr. @Stuckmann chris reads this and gives the idea a chance. 2021 let's go!!!!
@@janedoll3237 Yup. I don't like movies that are confusing for the sake of it. But donnie darko has a certain charm that most movies don't have. Even though a lot of things didn't make sense on first viewing, I still enjoyed that experience a lot. You should definitely go for it.
@@janedoll3237 Yeah, the name is dumb. Try to get your hands on the theatrical version. The director’s version fails in trying to over-explain itself. It’s probably the only director’s cut I can remember that’s inferior to the theatrical cut.
I watched this a few nights ago and then watched it again two days later. I loved it from the opening scene and that creepy ass weird skeleton in the cave and its effect on them. I loved the cult aspects because i love creepy cult stuff too. (In fact, the guy who plays Paul in this movie, Aaron Poole plays in one of my favorite cult movies, The Conspiracy.) But the first time i watched it, near the end when the empty man attacks James, that was when my whole perception of what was going on changed. You see the head of the Empty Man push through the fabric and change into a long, thick whip like appendage before it pours itself into his mouth and enters him. That whiplike appendage, kind of giant tongue like, is a pretty unique design i recognized right away. I instantly knew what it was. Nyarlathotep. H. P. Lovecraft's creation. Also known as the Bloody Tongue, the Black Pharoah, and the Crawling Chaos. He's also the entity who is known as the Messenger. He pops up in different places throughout time setting up cults and communicating secrets to man etc. The empty man transmits, we receive. Sounded like a perfect fit to me. So, after i finished the movie, I did a search online and found a Reddit thread where someone posited the same premise months ago. Several people agreed with the premise, but one person said that at the end of the scene where the cultists are chanting around the fire, that they actually chant Nyarlathotep's name. I was like, "you gotta be fucking kidding me", right??? So, I went and watched that scene again, and damn if it wasn't so! Right after they're chanting and the flames of the fire rise up into the sky and James looks up and the stars warp, when he looks back down and the fire has settled back to burning normal, as the cultists walk around the fire for about 9 seconds, they ACTUALLY chant Nyarlathotep. No shit. They did it in monotone, individual syllables. Ny-ar-lat-ho-tep ... Ny-ar-lat-ho-tep ... Ny-ar-lat-ho-tep ... Three times they say his name and then that's when they stop chanting and the lights go out. Blew me away and made me love this movie even more. It is definitely cosmic horror, and not just cosmic horror but one of the best movies ever to incorporate Lovecraft mythos material. At the same time, its not heavy handed and can be appreciated by people who don't even recognize that part of it because of how well they subtly mixed the mythos of H. P. Lovecraft in with the eastern philosophy concepts of the Tulpa and manifesting thoughts - Thought + Repetition + Time = Flesh. This move is a friggin masterpiece and an amazing work of storytelling and cinematic art. I absolutely love it.
Just, wow, thank you @Mike Duke you are a legend. I just went to the wiki page for the movie and gave it my best update because of your insights. Keep up the amazingly intelligent work.
My wife and I were literally the only 2 people in the theaters when this movie was out. We did go in expected to laugh our ass off for another Slender Man / Bye Bye Man ... went out of the theater with "wow, awesome movie." We loved it and honestly we tried to watch it again but that's when we found out they only screened it for 2 days only.
Yeah I think that's why a lot of people skipped it. They thought with a name like that it would just be something garbage like bye bye man. But I thought it looked interesting so I went to see it, my screening was also empty save for like 2 other people, and holy shit was this actually a really good supernatural horror. And the name actually makes sense and fits in well once you understand what the creature actually is and how it functions.
That skeleton thing is the coolest thing since Alien’s Xenomorph! Thanks for talking about this film, I would have never discovered otherwise, really liked it and stays with you after the end, that music really gets to you.
What’s really sad is movies like this the writers director and actors among others potentially poured their hearts into and it gets this kind of shit treatment. I’ve never even heard of it before.
I was gonna say the same thing, but then i thought if youve lived in a city all your life its possible not to know about rotary clotheslines, interesting.
The cult bonfire scene is truly frightening and also very reminiscent of another very frightening scene in another very frightening film - Kill List. The top less “umbrella” is actually a rotating clothes line for drying clothes in the sun. The wheels at the beginning are Tibetan prayer wheels and being Buddhist ties in with the Buddhist concept of the Tulpa. Tulpas are a major theme of the third season of “Twin Peaks”
I guess I need to finally watch Kill List. I've been ducking it for a long time now. I even had it in my Prime qeue. I keep hearing more and more tidbits about it that interest me. I guess its time to just watch it already.
I have been telling people how unsettling’ killist’ is for years. Empty man definitely arrives the same kinda vibe. Along with ‘ hereditary’ of course 👍🏽
Just saw it. Great film. If you look at the prescription bottle, his name means "Shadow". In the beginning, the hikers spin the prayer wheels which have to keep moving so the world continues. The use of the girl telling her friends about the Empty Man on the bridge, which goes back to Slender Man, etc., asks us to consider whether or not something can be brought into existence just by thinking about it. The high school is named after a French philosopher who was big into deconstruction. The name of the building where the cult had it's meeting is named after the Greek temple where mysterious rituals were performed. Probably lots more I missed. There is a continuous tone and level to the entire movie. There is no one doing stupid things and you don't feel cheated at the end. Breath of fresh air.
Perfectly perfectly perfectly written. Great analysis. And yes, there is no one doing stupid things or any cliche scenes and you don't feel cheated. It's really phenomenally well acted
Same. Just watched it n came back for the rest of the vid. Really enjoyed it, so many great creepy vibes and shots and scenes. We need Lovecraft brought to life.... *cries in Del Toro. X
I would say that is one of the best lovecraftian films that are out there, because it doesn-t say anywhere that is lovecraftian, it's a charachter exploring the unknown, fearing the unknown, discovering a cult that has it's web everywhere, doesn't get more lovecraftian than that :D
That Mickey Mouse iconic ha ha laugh has a completely different meaning to me after watching the south park quarantine special. If u havent watched( especially if ur not a big fan of disney) do yourself a favor and watch it
Rented "Empty Man" yesterday. It was very intriguing and I really enjoyed it. I love ambiguity in films. I could really see a lot of influence from the movie "Jacob's Ladder". You don't know if the protagonist is really alive or even exists after he visits the institute. The creepiness level is fantastic. BTW, I'm a 77 year old woman who has loved going to the movies since I was a little kid and a ticket cost 35 cents. Chris, I really enjoy your reviews and commentary.
This is exactly why I follow your channel. Without your review, I probably never would have seen the movie. And what a movie it was. Here's one for you, Chris.
For the record, Beksiński is a great polish artist unfortunately mostly unknown to the world. If you are interested there is a film called "the last family" on hbo go about him and his family. It's amazing especially if you don't know who he was.
Crazy how his works are not as popular and influential on the western media like Giger's and Bacon's artworks. His surreal horror style was made to be adapted into horror films and TV.
The spinning thing is a prayer wheel. It's found in Buddhist temples and has a mantra on it. Praying people pass by and give it a spin. It's a religious ritual.
the spinning is more of tibetan buddhism. its basicallly like you said, a prayer wheel. we put prayer paper inside so when someone spins it, its as if the person is readying or saying the prayer.
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I was lucky enough to see this as the only person in the theater. I couldn't stop talking about it to anyone who would listen. Was so disappointed when I found out there wasn't a disc version.
I feel like you are trying to make a Tulpa of Blockbuster. No one is disappointed they can't get a physical copy, witch! The power of Chris compells you!
These clothes lines are in pretty much every backyard in Australia. It's an Australian past time to hang off it with your siblings as you play poor man's merry-go-round as your mum yells at you from the kitchen, "Get off the bloody clothes line!" 😂
When the fire went off and the cult started chasing him thru the wood, I literally got up from the couch screaming " RUNNNNNNNNNNNNN" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Those spinning things are called prayer wheels. We have them everywhere here in Nepal. Plus, that bridge being covered in colorful prayer flags is another staple feature you'll find everywhere here in Nepal.
Yep!! Glad to see that someone mentions what they were.... As prior to your comment I only saw people talking about the clothes line .. Which was odd to me because I felt his comment was only directed at the prayer wheels. And not the clothes line at all because he knew what that was .. anyway Thanx for sharing your info !!
@@mrsx7944 Sorry I'm not following what your trying to say . As it doesn't matter what someone might call them anywhere . But the fact in that they are actuall Prayer wheels .!
@@DOCDOCFLAMINGOS ok. That's probably true. I'm just saying that we have another name for them here in Pennsylvania. Amish ppl don't call them "prayer wheels".
@@mrsx7944 Ahhhhh ok I think you are talking about the metal clothes line that looks like an umbrella that has the material missing .. but the shot right before that has three like wooden boards next to each other with a rounded column usually with writing carved into all of it, which I believe are prayers.that colum is able to be spun or turned left or right . They are Tibetan or Nypaul (spelling) in origin. So in general people in the states or PA. Or the Amish wouldn't really talk about or call them anything at all. Or not know about them . If you rewatch it's really quick but u should be able to see what I'm talking about .. As for what I think you are taking about the clothes line or dryer is called different things depending on the area. And people did say what they called it or the name of it .. I just can't recall off the top of my head .
It walks a very fine line adjacent to cosmic horror, no doubt. If I had read that this was based on a recently discovered Lovecraft text, I'd believe it.
As an Australian I can’t decide whether I’m more shocked that he doesn’t know what a clothes line is, or that he doesn’t know what a prayer wheel is 🤔 I’ve read elsewhere that Americans mainly use dryers because the weather isn’t good enough to line dry clothes.
Just saw it. Genuinely the best cosmic horror movie I've seen! Just superb tension, atmosphere and symbolism. An absolute tragedy that this got lost in the shuffle.
I loved this movie. Like "Mortal" and "Antichrist" - I love movies that are not targeted to teens. Horror movies that are meant for the complexity that an adult viewer brings to the movie. I'll go ahead and rate "The Empty Man," even though you didn't. It's an "A" and there is no argument.
Hi Chris. The artist referenced by you in the video ( Zdzisław Beksiński) actually lived in my hometown ( Sanok, Poland). His paintings are quite popular in Europe. They are deeply unsettling, borderline horrifying, morbid and distopian really. His life and his son's in itself are equally interesting as they literally lived in the world created in Beksiński's mind , the kind of world we know from E.A.Poe's prose. I hope someone will make a movie about him one day. It's great stuff really ( there is a Polish film about him and his son but what I had in mind is sth in the English language). His paintings really speak for themselves- I'm not including any links here as there are plenty of them online, very easy to google.
