Dark Arts Entertainment is a newly formed distributor founded by two prominent names in the horror field. Brian Yuzna and John Penny have been making films for nearly forty years, delivering cult classics such as Re-Animator (1985), Return of the Living Dead 3 (1993), Hellgate (1989), and more. The duo has a pedigree that’s quite stunning. For this new venture, they’re looking to showcase new filmmakers ready to bring their unique visions to the screen. If their first release, Terror Firma (2023), indicates the direction they plan on taking, we are most certainly in for a wild ride.
Lola (Faye Tamasa) is an artist struggling to make ends meet. Down on her luck, she moves in with her brother Louis (Burt Thakur) and his roommate Cage (Robert Brettenaugh), who is a bit of an odd duck. To make matters worse, Los Angeles goes into a lockdown, and no one is permitted outside. Food and other necessities are delivered to their porch, but one day, some mysterious seeds make their way there. Not knowing what they are, she plants them to see what she ends up with. The result is a weird hole in the ground, and Lola’s journey will be like nothing she’s ever experienced.
Jake Macpherson tackles his subject like a pro, even on a tiny budget. The film is impressively shot (by Macpherson), uses limited locations, and features a cast that has embraced the direction and runs with it. Faye Tamasa shines, as do co-stars Thakur and Brettenaugh, who are pieces of the puzzle that help to drive the mindbender this movie is. It’s original and goes off in unexpected directions while showcasing what a talented group can do when making the most of their resources. While not perfect, it still makes your skin crawl while commenting on current events. That’s an accomplishment.
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Since this is an MVD Visual release, the disc is top-of-the-line quality. It’s not jam-packed, but several nuggets are included, making it stand out. There’s an interesting and informative commentary track with director Macpherson, an extended director’s cut, a behind-the-scenes photo gallery, and the theatrical trailer.
If this is the standard Dark Arts Entertainment strives for, we are in for an exciting new venture. Terror Firma proves it’s not about how much money you have for a project; it’s about the drive, imagination, collaboration, and fearlessness needed to tell a unique and memorable story. Jake Macpherson has made a mark and is a storyteller to watch out for.
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