The scorching horror of “Carrie” and the genre satisfying thrills of “Re-Animator” coalesce to conceive “May”, a delicious new horror feature from director Larry McKee, and something quite unlike anything we’ve seen in eons.
While most horror films of late have taken a spoof or teenage stance (“Scream,” “I Know What You did Last Summer,” Final Destination), May returns to the golden age when horror was actually bloody. When it was genuinely scary, and frivolously tongue in cheek.
May (Angela Bettis) is one loopy young lass. She grew up with a lazy eye, which distances her from her peers, and found her only friend in a doll she kept in it’s original casing. But May’s also got a penchant for all things horrific – as we learn through her rather gruesome recounting of her day job at an animal hospital.
Adam (Jeremy Sisto) is a brooding charmer who immediately takes the girl’s fancy, but when he gets wind of her weird fetishes (she bites his lip only to suck the blood from it and smear it all over her face and neck) he backs away, leaving May to wallow in her own weirdness once again. Suddenly, she comes to a realization: most of the people she knows, including sexy lesbian co-worker Polly (Anna Faris), have good parts and bad parts about them. For instance, Adam has great hands, and Polly’s friend has great legs. Why not take the best parts of these people and mesh it all into one ultimate person? And so begins May’s sickly, but sleek act of revenge. “If you can’t find a friend, make one,” she says.
Scary, funny and novel, “May” revels in it’s own uniqueness – combing the elements of a dawdling art film with that of an 80s schlock horror movie. First-time writer/director Larry McKee stays committed to his vision, telling a simple story littered with horror-pleasing elements.
Angela Bettis gives a memorable performance as the demented May. Her sleek, unusual look gives extra credibility to the role. She truly is frightening to watch. Ironically, Bettis later went on to star in the TV remake of “Carrie,” so someone must have agreed with the character turn here.
In addition, Jeremy Sisto (best known for his role in “Clueless”) proves a worthwhile choice for the part of Adam, and Anna Faris suited to a tee as sexy loose cannon Polly.
“May” is not for the faint-hearted. The horror in this film is very in your face, lots of head splattering, stabbings, knives through the eyeballs, decapitated cats, and cannibalistic imagery – but that’s what a horror movie’s all about.
This could be the most unique horror movie of the year.
