Director: Fabrício Bittar
Year: 2019
Country: Brazil
Alternate Titles: Exterminadores do Além Contra a Loira do Banheiro
Genre: Ghosts; Horror/Comedy
Plot:
Attempting to land their big break, a group of struggling paranormal investigators agree to take on a seemingly simple case looking at a supposed ghost haunting a local high-school, but when they realize they’re in over their heads try to use every trick they can to survive.
Review:
Frankly, this was an exceptionally enjoyable genre effort. What makes this one so much fun is the manner in which this mixes together it’s comedic tones with straightforward haunting action. The starting point within the film is the silly and oftentimes hilarious comedy here that’s exceptionally well-done and works nicely in the film, ranging from the running gags of the beleaguered camera-man being ignored despite being the most rational of the group, the disrespect for the landlord who wants their rent or the complete inability to recognize how a proper TV show runs as the group simply are incapable of anything that would make for a professional-looking product. Since no one takes them seriously despite their misguided intentions in believing that they’re making something worthwhile, a stream of steady one-liners that are truly funny at building the characterization between them and some strong slapstick when required, there’s a lot of great work at times here with the comedic aspects.
On top of that, the film’s haunting scenes work well enough that they’re incredibly enjoyable. Playing with far more realistic and genuinely frightening tone against the silly comedy, there’s even more to like with these elements in the film. The initial starting point in the school bathroom is a fantastic opening where it appears suddenly and provides a stellar jump-scare in the mirror, while the initial scenes of the group setting up the school for their show offer some great behind-the-scenes looks at what they’re trying to accomplish in the course of the show. As well, the later scenes of the team being hunted by the ghost and the various reanimated bodies used to torment them offers some thrilling confrontations here including the scenes of the ghost unleashing surprise ambushes on the group being incredibly enjoyable with no one not knowing who’s become possessed by the ghost.
The other really strong aspect to this one is the great special effects work throughout the film that really enhances the ghost attacks. The bloodshed on display is outstanding, being truly practical work that utilizes everything from gratuitous blood spray onto every individual or surface in the vicinity, getting limbs snapped or ripped off and being cut into with a variety of instruments and sharp objects which go hand-in-hand with the stellar dissolves used to show the ghost leaving a possessed body. With others getting their body ripped to pieces or devoured with bloody chunks strewn all over, this makes for a great time throughout here with a furious pace that keeps this one moving along nicely. While it does tend to last a bit too long by presenting two different backstories for the ghost that aren’t needed and by overall running on too long in general, there’s not much that really hold this one down.
Overview: ****.5/5
While it does get a bit too long overall, in the end, a fantastic series of gore-pieces, tons of action and some uproarious comedy that is hysterical throughout makes for a truly great time here. Give this a shot if you’re looking for a mixture of gore and scares or curious about the country’s attempts at the genre while those that don’t like either aspect presented here should heed caution.
This review ran as part of our remote coverage of Cinepocalypse Festival 2019.
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