Human No More: The Feature (2021) User Reviews

Philosophical horror

[toney6booker · 10/10 · 12 March 2023]

Human no More uses a unique structure in order to scratch beneath the surface of its protagonists' fears and complacency. It incorporates writer-director Chris Broadstone's three short films Scream for Me, My Skin & the original 2004 Human no More, to create a chamber drama of nested flashbacks which fatefully bring together Detective Demo (Tony Simmons) and Mr Blight (Gabriel Sigal). Far from a "wraparound" narrative, the film's main section weaves, between past and present, truth and fiction, to resolve a mystery with beguiling subtlety. Nemo and Blight's collision will result in a tragedy, in which the movie breaks an absolute cinematic taboo. This tragedy, however, will be crucial in Nemo & Blight both achieving higher states of being, of grace and of wrath, asking questions of its characters too complex to be resolved in just one film, and perhaps being open to a further exploration (Broadstone is working on an 'HNM' sequel). Although Broadstone uses a minimalist setting, the 'Homo Amphibious Burlesque' bar in which Nemo & Blight collide verbally, in an almost Pinteresque manner is vividly visualised, with "mise en scene" evoking past horrors and disturbed states of mind. The film also benefits a stirring score from Stewart Eastham which feels like it was purpose built to underscore precise emotional beats.

Couldn't do it

[xmartyfromslaughterhighx · 5/10 · 12 December 2023]

I tried with this film. I stumbled across the creator's website and decided to support by blindly buying the Blu-Ray. I made it 40 minutes in and just could not get through it, rendering my purchase useless. Though I am happy to send a couple bucks their way. I get absolutely no joy in trashing a small indie film. I was rooting for it, I wanted to like it but the dialogue is a no go. It just goes on and on and on, nonstop philosophical platitudes. I'm sure it all has a lot of meaning to the director but most people will not follow this. They aren't saying anything engaging. I'd like to see the creator direct something he did not write. He has a great eye for visuals, there's cool editing, effects, cinematography, etc. But his prose is best fit for literature. I only give it a 5/10 because I see potential and I don't enjoy dismissing an artist who's clearly trying.