Rest stop bathrooms are always a bit sketchy. Whether it’s mirrors made from a piece of dented metal, overflowing trash, lack of ventilation, or simply the buildup that comes from years of hard use, they are never a place one wishes to spend any extended amount of time. And yet, horror expert Rebekah McKendry somehow managed to up the rest stop ante even further with her new Lovecraftian horror-comedy, GLORIOUS.
Written by Joshua Hull (CHOPPING BLOCK), David Ian McKendry (PSYCHO GRANNY), and Todd Rigney (FOUND), GLORIOUS is an extraordinary man-meets-Eldritch God tale. The man in this scenario is named Wes and played by Ryan Kwanten (TRUE BLOOD). Having recently gone through some sort of breakup, Wes has hit the road with a backseat full of literal and figurative baggage. After stopping at a remote rest stop, Wes gives in to his emotions and has a full-on emotional meltdown.
Exacerbated by copious amounts of alcohol, he burns photographs, clothing, and seemingly the memories of his lost love. Finally, after passing out in open public view, Wes wakes up to see himself sans pants with a hefty hangover. Understandably nauseous, Wes runs to the nearby bathroom to evacuate his alcohol-poisoned innards. Suddenly, he realizes he’s not alone as a voice floats around the disgusting room.
Initially writing off the voice as just an odd, talkative stall-mate, Wes soon realizes something far more mysterious is afoot when he finds himself incapable of leaving the conversation—or bathroom. Before long, Wes’ new friend reveals himself to be none other than Ghatanothoa, son of Cthulhu. Entwined with Wes by fate, neither being can leave until Wes fulfills his role in the universe’s plan. While the details of this fated union are kept a secret far longer than they should be, the ride that ensues is a genuinely wild and hilarious one of cosmic proportions.
Mostly confined to the rest stop, GLORIOUS makes terrific use of its limited setting. As Wes, Kwanten is engaging, funny, and even a bit endearing. From his slightly disheveled appearance, tousled hair, and generally agitated state, he is clearly a man trying to keep it all pulled together but failing miserably. This fact only becomes more apparent when Ghatanothoa enters the picture.
Voiced by veteran actor J.K. Simmons, Ghat is often heard but only partially seen in glimpses and snippets. However, Simmons’ delivery is utter perfection and supports the amusing banter between the two characters. Further strengthened by the editing, Jake Hull’s playful score, and the film’s writing, this humorous and (seemingly) happenstance relationship propels the film forward.
Another mark in the pro column for GLORIOUS comes from the sheer grossness of it all. As fans of McKendry and her films know, she never shies away from the gory, gross, or goopy. And, as a cosmic horror story, the recipe for GLORIOUS practically demands it. Compounded by the innately repugnant setting, these hygienic horrors stack on top of the film’s violence and viscera. Though definitely not a movie to watch while eating, if one is concerned about an excess of glory hole-related jokes, scenes, or scenarios, the glory hole content is surprisingly minimal. Aside from the super rad bathroom stall painting surrounding it, of course.
Though an entertaining endeavor, GLORIOUS falls short in how it handles Wes and his connection with Ghat. While we get fragments of memories involving his ex-girlfriend, the reveal of their breakup and how it connects with Ghat comes far later than it should. And even then, it remains just a smidge too vague. This is particularly disappointing because the twist is a genuinely good one. Unfortunately, by keeping it shrouded in mystery and intentionally ambiguous for most of the film’s runtime, it winds up working against everything that precedes it. It also strips the movie of some exciting depth and narrative possibility.
Nitpicks aside, GLORIOUS is a gooey and gross cosmic delight. A prime example of delivering champagne with a beer budget (and who knows how many COVID-related restrictions), McKendry crafts a wholly original Lovecraftian story. Not only that, but she definitively stamps it and makes it her own. If needing to escape this hellish world of ours for a spell, one can do much worse than GLORIOUS. At least there are no ancient gods of destruction here, right? Right!?
GLORIOUS is now streaming on Shudder.
Tags: Cosmic Horror, David Ian McKendry, Glorious, Jake Hull, JK Simmons, Joshua Hull, Lovecraftian Horror, Rebekah McKendry, ryan kwanten, Shudder, streaming, Todd Rigney
No Comments