I'm a movie buff. I've seen thousands of films, ranging from superb to utter trash, but "The Carrier" was.... umm... something else entirely. I was making my way through an outdoor market, when I came upon a booth filled with VHS tapes from a recently closed Rental store. I found a bundle of gems, z-grade horror movies that even in the depth of my searches had never seen or even heard about. Innitially, "The Carrier" seemed the most tame of the bunch, but I was quite wrong. I expected a cheesy 80's creature feature, but instead, I got a religious, political, medical thriller with the most bizarre imagery, acting, and storyline I think I have ever been witness to. The story is basically about a despised social outcast, who is attacked by a monster/mutant/alien/metaphor/ thing(?) who passes on a deadly disease. The box informed me of that much. What it failed to mention is that the entire film is a surrealist nightmare. It's like watching a twisted medical epidemic version of Leave it to Beaver, but with violent gangs wrapped in plastic, disturbed fundamentalist religious cults and 1950's social satire. I watched the first half trying in vain to figure out what was going on and the second half wondering how on earth this thing could end. The film was not bad, it never reached a state of being boring, but it was so confusing. Part of me would really like to hear a director's commentary on this movie, maybe they would be able to explain all the metaphors and allegories that no doubt existed but just didn't shine through all of the madness. When the credits rolled, i was literally left speechless and I had to take a nap. Yes... thats the kind of movie this was. I don't know who i should recommend this to, horror fans will be left dumbfounded, Indy film lovers will lash out at the effects and muddled ideas throughout. If you get the opportunity to watch this, I would suggest a trial run. You'll be left with a head full of questions but you will be thought provoked.
28 Reviews
What poor Jake needed was physical distancing and social solidarity and not social distancing.
Fella_shibby18 April 2021
I first saw this in the late 80s on a vhs n found it to be boring but aft revisiting the extended cut recently, i am surprised. This is indeed a very different horror film n a very creative one too.
They say this movie was an allegory for the 80s AIDS epidemic but this movie is still relevant with todays pandemic and paranoia.
It explores the themes of mob mentality n helplessness.
It doesn't fall into the virus, zombie or crazies category n it doesnt have any scary stuff but the scenes of human flesh being consumed by poles, trees, mirrors, books, etc is creepy n very well done.
The poster is misleading though.
They say this movie was an allegory for the 80s AIDS epidemic but this movie is still relevant with todays pandemic and paranoia.
It explores the themes of mob mentality n helplessness.
It doesn't fall into the virus, zombie or crazies category n it doesnt have any scary stuff but the scenes of human flesh being consumed by poles, trees, mirrors, books, etc is creepy n very well done.
The poster is misleading though.
Touch the wall, Jake!
Hey_Sweden12 August 2016
Filmed in upstate Michigan by writer / director / executive producer Nathan J. White and company, the interesting, symbolic "The Carrier" is a regional, independent horror film worth checking out. While undeniably very low budget and fairly crude, it does live up to the word "horror". It shows just how ugly things can get in times of crisis when there are no real leaders. It has a certain intensity, fueled by a sense of paranoia. In that sense, it's reminiscent of "The Thing" as well as George Romeros' "The Crazies", with its plot of a biological terror striking fear into the hearts of God fearing small town Americans.
Gregory Fortescue stars as Jake Spear, a young man who lives on the fringes of the small town of Sleepy Rock. Most other people there treat him like crap, because they 100% believe him guilty of the long ago deaths of his parents. One of a select few who will actually talk to him is Treva (Stevie Lee). One night, Jake is attacked by a fabled "black thing" which badly scratches him. Unbeknownst to Jake, this has now caused him to be infected with a truly hideous disease, making him "the carrier" of the title. And this disease has a quick acting, frightening ability to dissolve its victims. The local doctor (Steve Dixon, "Mosquito") urges calm and reason, but to little avail.
The acting is largely negligible, but there's no denying the sincerity of the cast. Fortescue and Lee are reasonably appealing, Dixon is fine as the doctor, and Paul Urbanski and Patrick Butler come off fairly well as the guys in charge of two warring factions. Die hard genre fans will recognize the names of some of the crew, like composer Joseph LoDuca, who contributes a very fine score, and cinematographer Peter Deming. B movie icon Bruce Campbell is credited as a sound effects recordist. The scenery & atmosphere are nice, the visuals striking (citizens must wrap themselves in whatever material they can find), and the special effects passable for whatever they cost to make. The subject matter has some poignancy and will undoubtedly make its viewers think of things like AIDS, which was very much on peoples' minds during this decade.
"The Carrier" is somewhat obscure now, but it definitely merits a look from horror enthusiasts.
Seven out of 10.
Gregory Fortescue stars as Jake Spear, a young man who lives on the fringes of the small town of Sleepy Rock. Most other people there treat him like crap, because they 100% believe him guilty of the long ago deaths of his parents. One of a select few who will actually talk to him is Treva (Stevie Lee). One night, Jake is attacked by a fabled "black thing" which badly scratches him. Unbeknownst to Jake, this has now caused him to be infected with a truly hideous disease, making him "the carrier" of the title. And this disease has a quick acting, frightening ability to dissolve its victims. The local doctor (Steve Dixon, "Mosquito") urges calm and reason, but to little avail.
The acting is largely negligible, but there's no denying the sincerity of the cast. Fortescue and Lee are reasonably appealing, Dixon is fine as the doctor, and Paul Urbanski and Patrick Butler come off fairly well as the guys in charge of two warring factions. Die hard genre fans will recognize the names of some of the crew, like composer Joseph LoDuca, who contributes a very fine score, and cinematographer Peter Deming. B movie icon Bruce Campbell is credited as a sound effects recordist. The scenery & atmosphere are nice, the visuals striking (citizens must wrap themselves in whatever material they can find), and the special effects passable for whatever they cost to make. The subject matter has some poignancy and will undoubtedly make its viewers think of things like AIDS, which was very much on peoples' minds during this decade.
"The Carrier" is somewhat obscure now, but it definitely merits a look from horror enthusiasts.
Seven out of 10.
Was an extra on this film
woosters11 November 2009
Was mainly only enjoyable because I was an extra on this film. Not very glamorous to have your wardrobe be a Hefty bag. Plus it shot in the middle of the summer and with the lights on the set and the heat and then being wardrobed in a Hefty bag...quite the challenge. I thought the main actors did a passable job and because of the timing of when it was filmed it definitely was an allegory of the AIDS epidemic at the time. Now in today's times it would be more of an H1N1 allegory. Some of the dialog taken out of context can still bring my friends and I to tears of laughter. Wish I could find a copy of the movie to see how it "holds up" today.
Very strange things are happening in Sleepy Rock, and that's no understatement.
Vomitron_G15 October 2011
Now this is a flick you need to track down. It's such an odd & entertaining mixture of things, it easily gains some extra points for sheer originality. Now dig this: The little town of Sleepy Rock's teenage social outcast - Jake, who lives in a ramshackle wooden shack and has to bear the trauma of having burned down his parents' house, killing them in the process - gets attacked by a mysterious black, hairy creature one night. He manages to shoot it and the thing just dissolves in the nightly rain. But, having sustained injuries, Jake now is infected with something and becomes the carrier and instigator of a plague the likes you've never seen before. The infection spreads through inanimate objects only - literately anything you can imagine, from books to trees and what not else - and people who touch such an infected object get consumed by it. And that's basically just the backdrop (main threat) for the whole plot. Because while a fierce storm has isolated the whole town, all its inhabitants pretty much go crazy and turn onto one another. What all happens next, you'll have to witness for yourself. All I can say is that there's a lot going on in this film, often pushing the boundaries of common sense to a ridiculous extent. For instance...: People go on a cat hunt to collect as many cats possible for testing if or not inanimate objects are infected (yes, that includes throwing some innocent kitten against a wall to see if the poor thing dissolves or not). Some priest preaches religious madness, gathering a flock of believers. Some doctor tries to save the town while protecting the carrier. Two clans set off an all out war against each other as if they were the sole survivors in some imaginative post-apocalyptic world. Children are hunted down & killed. A naked woman gets consumed by a mirror. And you haven't seen the end of it yet. There's some blackly humorous ways about this film, yet it's hard to pinpoint where all it might have been intended or not. There's some strange symbolism of various sorts spread throughout the film and allegedly the whole 'infection' can be interpreted as a metaphor for the AIDS virus (at the time uprising as the most dangerous disease of the '80s). Although I imagine it can be as easily interpreted as a reference to the medieval black plague. "The Carrier" seems a pretty obscure and forgotten film and naturally it doesn't have the best of production values. As much as the whole story might get ridiculous on numerous occasions, it's also very original & tense. Pretty much unlike any other movie you've ever seen before.
Covid-19 is a sissy-virus compared to this!
Coventry24 July 2023
Maybe it's just me, but the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020-2021 that shut down the world entirely sure changed the way I look at (horror)movies dealing with deadly and easily transmittable viruses. Many of them suddenly don't feel so impossible or far-fetched anymore! Of course, a type of virus like featuring here in "The Carrier" still doesn't feel very threatening. Or do we seriously must fear diseases that spread via inanimate objects or surfaces, and causes for victims to dissolve instantaneously? Gee, let's hope not...
"The Carrier" starts out exactly like how I love my cheesy 80s horror the most! Set in a quiet and geographically isolated little village, in the middle of a sort of local jamboree with sexy singers and barmaids, disapproving preachers, and youthful thugs fighting each other. Jake is the town's black sheep, because he allegedly set fire to his family's farmhouse and killed his parents, and his life doesn't exactly get any easier when he's attacked and wounded by a dark creature that disintegrates when shot at. Unaware at first, Jake is now the carrier of a mysterious virus, and everything he touches becomes contaminated.
All this simply happens within the first 10-15 minutes of "The Carrier", and if you think this already sounds insane, then stick around for the rest! The script, also written by the nobly unknown director Nathan J. White (who never did anything else, according to IMDb) goes totally over the top with craziness. The people of Sleepy Rock dress themselves in plastic bags and bubble wrap, the practically kill each other to catch the most cats (which they use as guinea pigs to detect infected surfaces), and the search for the carrier turns everyone into bloodthirsty killers. Back in the late 80s, the aim was to depict the mob's paranoia and hatred towards people infected with AIDS, but post 2020 it also accurately shows the intolerance between people in favor of, or against vaccinations.
Well, sure, "The Carrier" is pretty inept and hectic, the performances are atrocious, the music is lame, and the tension isn't well-balanced throughout the film. And yet, this little flick deserves points and recognition for being different and far more original than the vast majority of 80s horror. There isn't as much gore, or as many gooey melting effects than I hoped for, and the gratuitous nudity is missing as well, but it nevertheless remains a must-see for seekers of obscure 80s horror oddities.
"The Carrier" starts out exactly like how I love my cheesy 80s horror the most! Set in a quiet and geographically isolated little village, in the middle of a sort of local jamboree with sexy singers and barmaids, disapproving preachers, and youthful thugs fighting each other. Jake is the town's black sheep, because he allegedly set fire to his family's farmhouse and killed his parents, and his life doesn't exactly get any easier when he's attacked and wounded by a dark creature that disintegrates when shot at. Unaware at first, Jake is now the carrier of a mysterious virus, and everything he touches becomes contaminated.
All this simply happens within the first 10-15 minutes of "The Carrier", and if you think this already sounds insane, then stick around for the rest! The script, also written by the nobly unknown director Nathan J. White (who never did anything else, according to IMDb) goes totally over the top with craziness. The people of Sleepy Rock dress themselves in plastic bags and bubble wrap, the practically kill each other to catch the most cats (which they use as guinea pigs to detect infected surfaces), and the search for the carrier turns everyone into bloodthirsty killers. Back in the late 80s, the aim was to depict the mob's paranoia and hatred towards people infected with AIDS, but post 2020 it also accurately shows the intolerance between people in favor of, or against vaccinations.
Well, sure, "The Carrier" is pretty inept and hectic, the performances are atrocious, the music is lame, and the tension isn't well-balanced throughout the film. And yet, this little flick deserves points and recognition for being different and far more original than the vast majority of 80s horror. There isn't as much gore, or as many gooey melting effects than I hoped for, and the gratuitous nudity is missing as well, but it nevertheless remains a must-see for seekers of obscure 80s horror oddities.
completely original
john-145124 May 2008
In defense of this movie, it is completely original. But don't you have questions about who and how it was produced? It seems like a whole town got together and pooled their limited resources to produce this film that must have been written by a local who had waaay too much acid in the 70's. But for some reason I find this movie affecting. Who can't relate to the main characters loneliness and isolation? But to all those complainers out there: People are always criticizing movies for being the same bland formula over and over-now here's one that's way different than most without being totally incomprehensible. My hat goes off to the people who made this movie. You tried, and sometimes that's enough.
When touching things becomes a death sentence...
paul_haakonsen16 January 2021
Well, as I sat down to watch the 1988 movie "The Carrier" here in 2021, it was actually my first time to watch it. In fact, it was the first time I even heard about the movie. So I had no idea what to expect from writer and director Nathan J. White's movie.
As the story went, well then it was a mildly entertaining movie. I mean, it wasn't particularly thrilling, nor were there any grand ups and downs along the way as the story trotted on. It felt very monotonous, and there wasn't really much of any deeper underlying layers to the story. As such, it just felt a bit too shallow. Sure, the movie was watchable, but it was hardly an impressive movie.
The acting in the movie was adequate, taking into consideration the type of movie it is, the age of the movie and the boundaries set by the limitations of the script and storyline. I weren't familiar with anyone on the cast list as seen in "The Carrier".
Sure, there were some aspects to the storyline that was better than others. I liked the fact how the story shows the way some people turn utterly selfish and act irrationally during a time of crisis; much as is seen in these times of Covid-19 actually.
However, for entertainment purposes then "The Carrier" was a less than mediocre movie. I managed to sit through it, but I wasn't particularly entertained, much less enjoying the storyline. My rating of the 1988 movie from writer and director Nathan J. White lands on a four out of ten stars.
As the story went, well then it was a mildly entertaining movie. I mean, it wasn't particularly thrilling, nor were there any grand ups and downs along the way as the story trotted on. It felt very monotonous, and there wasn't really much of any deeper underlying layers to the story. As such, it just felt a bit too shallow. Sure, the movie was watchable, but it was hardly an impressive movie.
The acting in the movie was adequate, taking into consideration the type of movie it is, the age of the movie and the boundaries set by the limitations of the script and storyline. I weren't familiar with anyone on the cast list as seen in "The Carrier".
Sure, there were some aspects to the storyline that was better than others. I liked the fact how the story shows the way some people turn utterly selfish and act irrationally during a time of crisis; much as is seen in these times of Covid-19 actually.
However, for entertainment purposes then "The Carrier" was a less than mediocre movie. I managed to sit through it, but I wasn't particularly entertained, much less enjoying the storyline. My rating of the 1988 movie from writer and director Nathan J. White lands on a four out of ten stars.
I highly recommend this movie.
pascal-77 February 1999
Although campy at times, this movie is full of symbolism. Also proves to be an excellent commentary on society. Made in 1988, I am positive that this movie was influenced by AIDS and the stigmas it carried at the time. Also, enjoyed the conflicts of science versus religion.
We found a purpose for cats.
lost-in-limbo9 June 2008
Jake Spear is pretty much an outsider/ and out-of-luck lad in the small town of Sleepy Rock, and one night he's attacked by some hairy beast. Unknown to him he's infected with a mysterious, dangerous disease that spreads around the town from anything he had touch. It has not affect on him, but if anyone else touches that object/item, they begin to dissolve. Soon he realises, but the towns-folk are virtually caught up in the mass mayhem and chaos, marking those areas or items in red.
Oh this was very off-kilter so unusual. This obscure, very minor low-budget late 80s effort has you glued because you haven't see anything quite like it. The story is original (if silly and baffling), the prominent black humour fits and it's metaphorically planted with obvious details (involving AIDS) and overwrought symbolic messages (that downbeat conclusion). However it was a real nice change of pace with its glowing spirit and undeservedly lies in the shadows of the overpopulated 80s gruel. The film's cheap execution might leave a lot to be desired, as there's no tension and its tame steamy schlock effects don't make much of an impression. Still there's plenty of goodwill, and it can get atmospheric in stages. The story doesn't really know what it wants to be, despite the script's mock seriousness. As it moodily shifts about in many different fields (especially when it turns into something you'll find in an post-apocalyptic film where everyone loves cats and have a fashion sense involving plastic bags and sheets), but maintaining something unique and clever that keeps it always interesting. Gregory Fortescue's central performance is what really drove this one home. Sure his acting isn't great, but he brings the right attitude. The rest of the bungling performances (mainly one or two-offs, except for Steve Dixon) are enthusiastically delivered. Director / writer Nathan J. White's directorial touches are typical and the pace is slow, but engaging and seems to wallow in the extremely cheesy and kooky vibes. Look out for the blatant Jim Beam product placement.
Oh this was very off-kilter so unusual. This obscure, very minor low-budget late 80s effort has you glued because you haven't see anything quite like it. The story is original (if silly and baffling), the prominent black humour fits and it's metaphorically planted with obvious details (involving AIDS) and overwrought symbolic messages (that downbeat conclusion). However it was a real nice change of pace with its glowing spirit and undeservedly lies in the shadows of the overpopulated 80s gruel. The film's cheap execution might leave a lot to be desired, as there's no tension and its tame steamy schlock effects don't make much of an impression. Still there's plenty of goodwill, and it can get atmospheric in stages. The story doesn't really know what it wants to be, despite the script's mock seriousness. As it moodily shifts about in many different fields (especially when it turns into something you'll find in an post-apocalyptic film where everyone loves cats and have a fashion sense involving plastic bags and sheets), but maintaining something unique and clever that keeps it always interesting. Gregory Fortescue's central performance is what really drove this one home. Sure his acting isn't great, but he brings the right attitude. The rest of the bungling performances (mainly one or two-offs, except for Steve Dixon) are enthusiastically delivered. Director / writer Nathan J. White's directorial touches are typical and the pace is slow, but engaging and seems to wallow in the extremely cheesy and kooky vibes. Look out for the blatant Jim Beam product placement.
Not for cat lovers!
sitheag22 March 2003
This is probably the best really bad movie you probably will never see. The plot centers around a sensitive kid (Jake)in a small town full of brainless twits (comically stereotyped, yes, but barely, growing up as a sensitive kid in a small town myself) who unwittingly contracts a deadly disease that transfers itself to whatever he touches. When other people come into contact with these objects, they disintegrate and are promptly assimilated. Jake seems to be the only guy it doesn't affect.
Scenes to watch for: *the tree scene... during sex, girl touches affected tree with shocking results *the church cat scene... "Touch the wall, Jake!" *and the Hefty bag scenes... the bad guys in leaf bags, the good guys in kitchen bags, just so ya can keep track of who is whom!
Themes: *yeah, the AIDS theme, but it just makes it even hokier *the twisted christ-figure theme: too loud to be ignored
If you ever get the chance to watch this movie, it is definitely an experience: up there with Xtro and Liquid Sky! If you ever find a copy you want to sell, please do not hesitate to let me know.
Scenes to watch for: *the tree scene... during sex, girl touches affected tree with shocking results *the church cat scene... "Touch the wall, Jake!" *and the Hefty bag scenes... the bad guys in leaf bags, the good guys in kitchen bags, just so ya can keep track of who is whom!
Themes: *yeah, the AIDS theme, but it just makes it even hokier *the twisted christ-figure theme: too loud to be ignored
If you ever get the chance to watch this movie, it is definitely an experience: up there with Xtro and Liquid Sky! If you ever find a copy you want to sell, please do not hesitate to let me know.
one of the best of horror films
ajax_magnetoface26 August 2002
has my all-time favorite non-sequitor movie line... which is "Give us your cats, we have red objects!"
I watched hundreds of horror films (4 a night) in the 80s and this stood out in the top 5 for originality and great cheesey scriptwriting.
I watched hundreds of horror films (4 a night) in the 80s and this stood out in the top 5 for originality and great cheesey scriptwriting.
Pretty funny.
HumanoidOfFlesh19 August 2003
The peaceful population of the town of Sleepy Rock turns slowly into a hysterical,anarchistic and violent mob when a mysterious disease begins spreading through town.Jake Spear(Gregory Fortescue)is attacked by a huge dark 'thing'.Without knowing it,this makes Jake into the carrier of the mysterious disease."The Carrier" is pretty bad.It lacks scares and gore and has incredibly cheesy synthesizer score.Still the film is funny enough to make horror fans smile.5 out of 10.
Inept
gridoon3 October 2002
This blatant AIDS allegory (ok, we get it, we don't need to see the entire cast wrapped in plastic throughout the movie), is inept and put together with no filmmaking skill (don't trust me, trust the facts: Nathan J.White hasn't directed another film since 1987). It is set in a provincial town stereotypically inhabited by ignorant hicks who, in a crisis situation, turn into bloodthirsty madmen. And after the initial pretenses of seriousness, the film turns "comic" and silly. Oh, and if you can't afford convincing special effects, why bother pretending that gruesome deaths occur, only to keep them off-screen? (*1/2)
A Different Kind of Horror Film
Michael_Elliott6 July 2018
The Carrier (1988)
** 1/2 (out of 4)
Jake (Gregory Fortescue) lives in a small mountain town where he's pretty much an outcast due to people believing that he murdered his parents. One day this small town because victim to some sort of disease or virus that is spreading around and will burn a person to death if they catch it. What people don't know is that it's Jake who is the carrier.
If you grew up watching horror films in the 1980s then you know there were dozens if not hundreds of low-budget films that lacked any sort of creativity so usually those films just gave us mindless killings, gore or a bunch of sex and nudity. THE CARRIER is a film that has a small cult following to it and after watching the film it's easy to see why. If you're looking for some sort of violent or gory movie then this certainly isn't for you. While there are certainly some flaws here there's no question that the film at least has some creative moments.
What impressed me the most about THE CARRIER is the fact that it had a very small budget yet it uses the lack of money to build something creative and original. The idea of a virus going around and killing people is an interesting thing to do but having one carrier just added to the entertainment. What I loved about the film is that it had no money but it was creative in the way this small town had to fight against the disease. The costumes look very cheap and that's a plus because it's exactly what you'd expect a homemade costume to look like if these events were really happening.
The look of the small town was wonderful and I was also impressed with the majority of the performances. I thought they were all quite natural and best of all is that they were at least believable for the type of film that you were watching. There are two versions of this movie available, the original 98-minute cut and a Director's Cut that clocks in at 108-minutes. I watched the Director's Cut and honestly felt that the film went on too long so perhaps the shorter version should have been the better one to watch.
As I said, there are certainly some flaws found in THE CARRIER but there's no question that it's an entertaining movie and one that doesn't allow its small budget to ruin it. Instead, the film took the lack of money and did something creative with it.
** 1/2 (out of 4)
Jake (Gregory Fortescue) lives in a small mountain town where he's pretty much an outcast due to people believing that he murdered his parents. One day this small town because victim to some sort of disease or virus that is spreading around and will burn a person to death if they catch it. What people don't know is that it's Jake who is the carrier.
If you grew up watching horror films in the 1980s then you know there were dozens if not hundreds of low-budget films that lacked any sort of creativity so usually those films just gave us mindless killings, gore or a bunch of sex and nudity. THE CARRIER is a film that has a small cult following to it and after watching the film it's easy to see why. If you're looking for some sort of violent or gory movie then this certainly isn't for you. While there are certainly some flaws here there's no question that the film at least has some creative moments.
What impressed me the most about THE CARRIER is the fact that it had a very small budget yet it uses the lack of money to build something creative and original. The idea of a virus going around and killing people is an interesting thing to do but having one carrier just added to the entertainment. What I loved about the film is that it had no money but it was creative in the way this small town had to fight against the disease. The costumes look very cheap and that's a plus because it's exactly what you'd expect a homemade costume to look like if these events were really happening.
The look of the small town was wonderful and I was also impressed with the majority of the performances. I thought they were all quite natural and best of all is that they were at least believable for the type of film that you were watching. There are two versions of this movie available, the original 98-minute cut and a Director's Cut that clocks in at 108-minutes. I watched the Director's Cut and honestly felt that the film went on too long so perhaps the shorter version should have been the better one to watch.
As I said, there are certainly some flaws found in THE CARRIER but there's no question that it's an entertaining movie and one that doesn't allow its small budget to ruin it. Instead, the film took the lack of money and did something creative with it.
Cats or Death?
BA_Harrison19 April 2021
Jake Spear (Gregory Fortescue) lives on the outskirts of the small town of Sleepy Rock, where he is ostracized by the locals who believe that he killed his parents. When Jake is mauled by a mysterious, hairy, black beast (which melts when shot), he becomes infected with a virus that spreads via touch: not only are Jake's fingers lethal, but any inanimate object he makes contact with also becomes deadly, the victim dissolving within ten minutes. With the town's telephone lines and bridge wiped out by a storm, the citizens of Sleepy Rock are left helpless...
The Carrier starts like an allegory for the AIDs pandemic, with the town's priest claiming that the disease is a test for sinners and asking why God has inflicted it upon them. The locals cover themselves up with plastic and sheets to stay protected. After a couple who have sex are dissolved (when the woman touches a contaminated tree), a local comments, "It's screwing that killed them". However, the film takes a seriously weird turn midway, developing into a one-of-a-kind oddity that has to be seen to be believed.
As the townsfolk start to realise what is happening, they begin to mark contaminated objects with red paint or red material. Meanwhile, the search is on for 'the carrier', the one who is spreading the disease, and prejudice and hatred bubbles to the surface. Eventually, the people split into two groups, battling over the town's supply of cats, which they use to test for the virus. Realising that he is in danger from both sides, Jake instigates a battle between the two factions, the people using 'red objects' as weapons (leading to the great one-liner "Say your prayers!" as a bloke shoves an infected bible into his victim's face).
The town's doctor (Steve Dixon) manages to quell the violence by revealing that he knows the identity of the carrier, telling the townsfolk that it was one of the people killed in the fight; however, Jake is revealed to be real carrier when a baby gets a little too close to the young man, and a chase ensues.
All of this is quite hilarious, with several unforgettable scenes, some highly quotable dialogue, and a few things that'll leave you scratching your head in confusion: drunken townsfolk hurling cats against a contaminated sign is definitely a movie first (the twitching moggies glued to the wall by their melting flesh); "You, you and you... get the cats!", "Cats or death?", and "Touch the wall, Jake" will become part of your everyday lexicon; and can anyone explain what the hell is hidden in the mine on Jake's property?
Loaded with content that could be symbolism (the black creature, the cats, Jake's inverted Christ death pose), but which might just as easily be nothing of the sort, this is one hell of a bonkers film and recommended viewing for fans of midnight movies.
The Carrier starts like an allegory for the AIDs pandemic, with the town's priest claiming that the disease is a test for sinners and asking why God has inflicted it upon them. The locals cover themselves up with plastic and sheets to stay protected. After a couple who have sex are dissolved (when the woman touches a contaminated tree), a local comments, "It's screwing that killed them". However, the film takes a seriously weird turn midway, developing into a one-of-a-kind oddity that has to be seen to be believed.
As the townsfolk start to realise what is happening, they begin to mark contaminated objects with red paint or red material. Meanwhile, the search is on for 'the carrier', the one who is spreading the disease, and prejudice and hatred bubbles to the surface. Eventually, the people split into two groups, battling over the town's supply of cats, which they use to test for the virus. Realising that he is in danger from both sides, Jake instigates a battle between the two factions, the people using 'red objects' as weapons (leading to the great one-liner "Say your prayers!" as a bloke shoves an infected bible into his victim's face).
The town's doctor (Steve Dixon) manages to quell the violence by revealing that he knows the identity of the carrier, telling the townsfolk that it was one of the people killed in the fight; however, Jake is revealed to be real carrier when a baby gets a little too close to the young man, and a chase ensues.
All of this is quite hilarious, with several unforgettable scenes, some highly quotable dialogue, and a few things that'll leave you scratching your head in confusion: drunken townsfolk hurling cats against a contaminated sign is definitely a movie first (the twitching moggies glued to the wall by their melting flesh); "You, you and you... get the cats!", "Cats or death?", and "Touch the wall, Jake" will become part of your everyday lexicon; and can anyone explain what the hell is hidden in the mine on Jake's property?
Loaded with content that could be symbolism (the black creature, the cats, Jake's inverted Christ death pose), but which might just as easily be nothing of the sort, this is one hell of a bonkers film and recommended viewing for fans of midnight movies.
Terrific - meaning, terrible, awful, waste of time.
Ckn4827 January 2021
It is incomprehensible how this movie got a 6/10 rating.
The acting is non existent, no inflection in the voices, half the time they are screaming at each other, the rest they are speaking in mono tone. most of the time they talk over each other, no way to make a film. No sound engineer evident. No direction. The Script needed shredding.
There is NOTHING scary or frightening about this movie at all
The outfits are plastic but even if you told a bunch of random people to protect themselves by wrapping themselves in bits of plastic so they cant get infected, most people would make a massive better job than has been done with these actors which suggests the tacky costumes were completely intentional.
Reading some of the other reviews, its like they were watching a different movie. Or they have a vested interest in promoting this awful movie.
The acting is non existent, no inflection in the voices, half the time they are screaming at each other, the rest they are speaking in mono tone. most of the time they talk over each other, no way to make a film. No sound engineer evident. No direction. The Script needed shredding.
There is NOTHING scary or frightening about this movie at all
The outfits are plastic but even if you told a bunch of random people to protect themselves by wrapping themselves in bits of plastic so they cant get infected, most people would make a massive better job than has been done with these actors which suggests the tacky costumes were completely intentional.
Reading some of the other reviews, its like they were watching a different movie. Or they have a vested interest in promoting this awful movie.
Cats or Death!
Tweetienator19 January 2021
These days I found deep down and well hidden in my collection this little horror flick called The Carrier. It is for sure no masterpiece or cvlt movie but it got a lot of fun ideas, some grotesque moments and some parts could be a cheap version of a Mad Max movie. The story is simple: some mysterious disease eats away those people who touch spots that are infected by the disease. Panic, mayhem, insanity and the apocalypse rule very quick over the small town somewhere in nowhere. Solid fun for the connoisseur of movies like The Blob. The production got a certain early 80s vibe rather than the release date of 1988 indicates.
Bring Me Cats!
TheExpatriate70027 May 2012
The Carrier has an interesting premise but suffers from bad dialogue and imagery that at times borders on the narmish. After a young man is attacked by a strange beast in the woods, he is contaminated with a bizarre illness. Anyone who touches something he has touched dissolves into smoke.
For a low budget film, this has some very interesting ideas. It paints a compelling portrait of a town tearing itself apart and gives interesting consideration to religion as a divisive force. However, these ideas need further development and are overwhelmed by the film's flaws.
The dialogue is terrible to the point of unintentional comedy. This starts from the beginning of the film, but enters the genuinely absurd when the outbreak begins. At one point, a supporting character yells "Bring me cats!" in order to test for the disease. Furthermore, as people dress up in plastic bags to protect themselves, the overall effect is comic.
This film is worth a rent or YouTube watch, but wastes a lot of potential.
For a low budget film, this has some very interesting ideas. It paints a compelling portrait of a town tearing itself apart and gives interesting consideration to religion as a divisive force. However, these ideas need further development and are overwhelmed by the film's flaws.
The dialogue is terrible to the point of unintentional comedy. This starts from the beginning of the film, but enters the genuinely absurd when the outbreak begins. At one point, a supporting character yells "Bring me cats!" in order to test for the disease. Furthermore, as people dress up in plastic bags to protect themselves, the overall effect is comic.
This film is worth a rent or YouTube watch, but wastes a lot of potential.
I'm sad to see that the talent in this film didn't go father...
NancyBoySF18 February 2008
For a small budget film, it has more heart and interest and originality than 90% of what passes for drama or horror coming out of Hollywood. The young actor, Gregory Fortescue, is attractive on many levels and effectively carries the film. Yes, it can be seen as an AIDS allegory....but it also presents a different take on the disaffected and confused young man...Gregory's character Jake can be seen as an AIDS victim....or as James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause...or as the Werewolf in American Werewolf in London. Unusual, original, recommended...just a little confusing at times.
I found it on a bit-torrent site.
Otherwise...hard to find.
I found it on a bit-torrent site.
Otherwise...hard to find.
Fun to laugh with "horror" movie.
pkcommerce10 July 2010
I saw this movie shortly after it was completed at the wonderful Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor. The house had a blast that night- great fun!
This is a fantastic "bad" movie - fun to laugh at/with, hard to take seriously. The dialog isn't so wonderful, acting is not up on par with the best of Hollywood or anything but this could easily have become a cult film. The "sex among the trees" scene is so ridiculous, so over the top, so gross, it's great. I would love to see it again sometime.
Favorite lines from the movie:
"Touch the wall, Jake!", "Cats or death!"
With lines like this, you gotta love this movie.
This is a fantastic "bad" movie - fun to laugh at/with, hard to take seriously. The dialog isn't so wonderful, acting is not up on par with the best of Hollywood or anything but this could easily have become a cult film. The "sex among the trees" scene is so ridiculous, so over the top, so gross, it's great. I would love to see it again sometime.
Favorite lines from the movie:
"Touch the wall, Jake!", "Cats or death!"
With lines like this, you gotta love this movie.
curiosity killed the cat
trashgang23 January 2011
I've found this flick at a flea market on DVD. But the quality on the DVD was surely coming from a VHS rip. A guy accused of killing his parents becomes an outsider. One night out of the blue he's being attacked at home by some kind of Sasquatch. He's being scratched by it and get infected by it, he shoots to the creature which disappeared just as it came. What attacked him is never explained. He becomes the carrier of a weird disease. The director Nathan J. White only made 2 flicks, Hellmaster and this low budget. Even most of the actors played only in this one. Nonetheless, it takes only 10 minutes before something happens so that was the good news but sadly it's the downward spiral from then on. You just see people react on the effect of the disease, you know they are melting but it is never shown. After a while the town goes crazy and suddenly they all need to find cats. They even start killing each other for a cat. One of the attacks you can hear someone scream, "Get the children and the cats inside", man, what is this! It's all about running and wearing plastic, strange flick but I 'carried' boredom from it.
Insane
BandSAboutMovies21 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
If The Abomination is a Shot On Video (SOV) exploration of disease and religion, madness and murder straight out of Texas, this is its oddball rural Michigan brother that has much higher production values.
This is a movie where if I describe it to you, you'll say, "There's no way that that is a movie and no way that that much weird can be sustained across an entire movie."
But you'd be wrong.
Jake's parents died in a fire that some in town blame him for. He just wants to come to the bar, get drunk and be left alone, but someone has to call him out as a killer. And maybe someone in the bar actually did the killing and not him. But no matter what, Jake really does encounter some black creature in the woods, the kind that people whisper about in that weird bar that Jake should have avoided. But then, even though Jake survives the attack, he's left with a scar and a disease that makes him - unknown to all in town - the carrier of a strange plague which spreads to every inanimate object that he touches. When anyone touches what Jake has touched, they are dissolved into that object.
Not long into this movie and everyone in town is covered in garbage bags and post-apocalyptic gear and breaking into religious madness and herding cats to use to test anything that has been claimed by the carrier's horrible touch.
1950's Sleepy Rock, Oregon may as well be your town during COVID-19, a disease that no one was sure where it came from and how they could get it and all turning against one another. Of course, this movie was about AIDS way back in 1988, but its theme is even more in your face true today than way back when.
Director and writer Nathan J. White honestly should have made more movies than this one and done effort. He was aided by Peter Deming, who was the director of photography on Evil Dead II, Lost Highway and the Twin Peaks 2017 series.
Every time I thought, "This is getting way too silly," the movie would redeem itself or get even weirder and sillier, which I appreciate to no end. This is why regional films are so important: there were no studio notes or people saying, "None of this makes any sense." Therefore, it all makes perfect sense.
This is a movie where if I describe it to you, you'll say, "There's no way that that is a movie and no way that that much weird can be sustained across an entire movie."
But you'd be wrong.
Jake's parents died in a fire that some in town blame him for. He just wants to come to the bar, get drunk and be left alone, but someone has to call him out as a killer. And maybe someone in the bar actually did the killing and not him. But no matter what, Jake really does encounter some black creature in the woods, the kind that people whisper about in that weird bar that Jake should have avoided. But then, even though Jake survives the attack, he's left with a scar and a disease that makes him - unknown to all in town - the carrier of a strange plague which spreads to every inanimate object that he touches. When anyone touches what Jake has touched, they are dissolved into that object.
Not long into this movie and everyone in town is covered in garbage bags and post-apocalyptic gear and breaking into religious madness and herding cats to use to test anything that has been claimed by the carrier's horrible touch.
1950's Sleepy Rock, Oregon may as well be your town during COVID-19, a disease that no one was sure where it came from and how they could get it and all turning against one another. Of course, this movie was about AIDS way back in 1988, but its theme is even more in your face true today than way back when.
Director and writer Nathan J. White honestly should have made more movies than this one and done effort. He was aided by Peter Deming, who was the director of photography on Evil Dead II, Lost Highway and the Twin Peaks 2017 series.
Every time I thought, "This is getting way too silly," the movie would redeem itself or get even weirder and sillier, which I appreciate to no end. This is why regional films are so important: there were no studio notes or people saying, "None of this makes any sense." Therefore, it all makes perfect sense.
"Bring me cats"
merklekranz14 November 2019
"It's cats or death." This is so ridiculous it's really a horrendous excuse for entertainment. I'll give you it's low budget, with dozens of no futures actors, and there is a touch of originality. But let's get real, for the better part of the movie everyone is running around in trash bags, half the time you can't understand their dialog because they are speaking through plastic. Then there is the cat angle, which is so ridiculous, using cats to to test objects for contamination. Unfortunately the best lines refer to collecting cats like they were currency. I will keep this DVD as a gold standard of bad, and believe me it will have few challengers. " Sharks in Venice" is like "Citizen Kane" compared to this. "The Carrier" might have been tolerable as a "Twilight Zone" half hour episode, but nothing more. - MERK
Norman Rockwell Must Be Spinning in his Grave!
lazarillo11 April 2004
Although this film is ineptly-made and totally ridiculous, it should at least receive kudos for being completely original. It reminded me of another obscure 80's film called The Pit. Like that earlier movie the filmmakers actually tried to do something different than a. have a psychopath carve up a bunch of nubile, underdressed teenagers; b. have a bunch of untalented "scream queens" bounce around a haunted house fleeing something or another; or c. shamelessly rip-off or "remake" some horror classic from the past. Most low-budget horror product from the late 80's unfortunately falls into one of these categories. Of course, the plot is jaw-droppingly ludicrous. What kind of virus spreads via inanimate objects and causes people to instantly melt? It does, however, make for some good black comedy and satirical commentary on small-town folk. Norman Rockwell must be spinning in his grave! Like The Pit it's also incredibly misanthropic--even the hero is incredibly selfish and unsympathetic--yet it's just too off-the-wall to be taken too seriously. Pretty alright overall.
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