Appofeniacs

Appofeniacs

A genre-bending thriller with a Tarantino-esque spirit and a surprisingly original voice

These characters have very little in common. The film throws a whole gallery of misfits into the same twisted story. There’s a blue-haired girl whose gangster boyfriend gets off on watching her sleep with other men. A friendly cab driver who didn’t always make his living behind the wheel. A guy who makes ridiculously expensive cosplay costumes. A liberal woman who one day picks a fight with the wrong man. And then there’s Duke, a complete asshole. Obsessed with AI and the possibilities of deepfake technology, he sees artificial intelligence as the perfect weapon for revenge. He has no scruples and not a shred of morality, and he is ready to destroy anyone who crosses him. With a single click, he can turn the lives of the other characters into a nightmare.

“Appofeniacs” is a wild cocktail of black comedy, thriller, action, and sharp social satire. It takes its cues from Quentin Tarantino in both spirit and structure, yet remains strikingly original. The film asks some pointed questions about a future in which anyone can be made to appear to say racist things, have their life’s work destroyed, or simply have their face stolen. Duke is the thread tying it all together: a loser who has finally been handed a tool powerful enough to get even with the entire world. There are some shockingly brutal scenes, while the finale turns a robbery into a bloodbath so absurd that its sheer ridiculousness somehow outdoes the violence. Bold, uncompromising, and meticulously put together, this is a puzzle where every piece falls into place like bodies in a car trunk.

“Appofeniacs” is energetic, fresh, and gloriously cheeky. It knows exactly what it wants to say and never lets up. The film was directed by Chris Marrs Piliero, an accomplished music-video director making his feature debut. For this wild ride, he assembled a terrific cast. Aaron Holliday, known for “Euphoria” and “Cocaine Bear,” plays Duke, while Will Brandt gives Texas Tim an effortlessly laid-back charm. Sean Gunn also turns up in a surprise role. He made his debut in the cult classic “Tromeo and Juliet” and now regularly appears in Marvel blockbusters. “Appofeniacs” is currently making its way triumphantly around the international festival circuit.