The bond between humans and animals can be strong. For many people, their pets are family members, and when we lose them, it can be just as devastating. I’m definitely in that category, especially with the cats I have had: Tippy, Snoopy, and Haji. Now it’s my black cat (with a little white patch on his chest), Jasper, my shadow in the house. I don’t even want to think about him not being around. All this exposition leads me to the film The Activated Man, the latest feature from indie filmmaker Nicholas Gyeney. It has several layers that might not be evident right out of the gate, but they’re there, and the final result is captivating.
Ors (Jamie Costa) and his partner Sarah (Ivana Rojas) are dealing with the loss of their dog, Louie, to cancer. He wasn’t just a pet but a part of the family. Sarah has her work as a police officer to keep her busy, but it’s really hitting Ors since Louie was therapeutic to him when trying to deal with past trauma.
He has visions of a terrifying man wearing a fedora that he chalks up to the grieving process until Louie shows up in a spectral form. Is it real, or is it all in his mind? When he meets his weird neighbor Jeffrey (Tony Todd), he begins to look at it differently. Jeffrey is a spiritual man who helps him to realize he has a third eye that allows him to see energy from beyond, including his dog. As the third eye becomes more open, the Fedora Man becomes even more powerful and genuine, leading Ors to fight for his life and Sarah’s.
I’ve been following the career of Nicholas Gyeney for over a decade now and have watched him jump from genre to genre. Doing so offers him the freedom to dive into whatever project he wants to do next without the constraints of expectation. At the same time, his films rarely fit into one singular genre. The Activated Man is no exception.
It looks like a straightforward horror film, but there are multiple layers to it. There are elements of a love story, drama, and even sci-fi, in addition to horror. It’s really a film about dealing with grief and mental health. Ors has some deep-rooted trauma, and the loss of his pet is a catalyst for him to battle his demons. It’s a tight story that will run you through a gauntlet of emotions with a satisfying conclusion that leaves you wanting more.
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Jamie Costa and Ivana Rojas lead the cast and do a terrific job of running with the material and giving life to two very interesting (and different) characters. The Activated Man is loaded with genre talent that many of us have grown to love over the years, including Sean Young (Blade Runner), Vladimir Kulich (The 13th Warrior), Andrew Keegan (Independence Day), and Kane Hodder (Hatchet). They all really seem to enjoy their roles, especially Hodder, who gets to act without all the makeup we’re used to seeing him in. That now leads me to Tony Todd.
Todd was an enigmatic performer who brought so much to every role he played. He made quite the career out of being scary, but my personal interactions with him (I had a few) were always filled with laughs. His character, Jeffrey, comes off as a little weird at first, but he has a bit of understanding and genuine compassion for what Ors is going through. Todd is fantastic in bringing him to life. This is what I believe to be his final starring role. Is it the farewell fans would have wanted? Maybe not, but we see another side of him as a performer we usually don’t get to. The film only broadens his resume and ability to transform into every character he ever played. He will be greatly missed.
Nicholas Gyeney has crafted a unique tale that works in ways it shouldn’t. His confidence behind the camera elevates the film, as do the performances. The effects work for a modestly budgeted film looks pretty good, and the Carpenter-esque synth score hits the mark.
I only scratched the surface of the story to avoid spoiling anything, but I highly recommend it. This isn’t the first time Gyeney has made a personal film, but masking it as a horror film was a good call. It will stick in your mind and leave you with questions you may find answers to if you watch it again.
If you’re looking for something a bit out of the ordinary, The Activated Man will check that box and several more.
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