[SXSW 2022] ‘Hypochondriac’ Review: Mental Illness and the Threat of the Big Bad Wolf
We watched Hypochondriac as part of SXSW 2022. Reader beware, spoilers ahead!
Mental illness has been a sub-genre in horror explored to varying degrees of success. Classics such as Psycho, The Shining, and Halloween make us fear the “crazy” killer or escaped mental patient, putting a dark stigma on mental disorders. Writer/director Addison Heimann made his feature film debut at the SXSW 2022 with Hypochondriac, which portrays mental illness in an empathetic way not always associated with the genre. Starring Zach Villa (‘American Horror Story‘), Devon Graye (‘Dexter‘), Marlene Forte (Knives Out), and Paget Brewster (‘Criminal Minds‘).
Will (Villa) is young, outgoing, and creating pottery for an exclusive gallery. He’s close with his co-workers while tolerating having a horrible person for a boss who fancies herself an “influencer” and kind of big deal. In the evenings, going home to his boyfriend Luke (Graye), who is loving and supportive and looking to move things further in their relationship. On the surface, he has it all. But when he gets a phone call from his mother (Forte), who he hasn’t spoken to since the incident ten years ago, childhood trauma that has been dormant in his psyche wakes up.
As the calls continue, packages begin arriving from his mother, which begins to affect him physically. First, his hands start to tighten up, which causes him to constantly stretch them, and sores begin to appear. He’s forgetting to eat, not sleeping, and then the visions start. Manifesting from the anxiety and escalating pressure comes a demonic wolf (Scott Butler) which if anyone has watched Donnie Darko, you’ll get some Frank the Bunny vibes. Stalking throughout the rest of the narrative like a shark circling a life raft.
Needing a change of scenery, Luke and Will get a cabin for the weekend. As the couple tries to reconnect and open up to each other, confessing held secrets, the dam breaks, and Will has a complete meltdown. It doesn’t help that what should have been a playful mushroom trip with his lover becomes a nightmare, further cracking the already unstable foundation of his sanity. Here, Heimann gets loose with the camera, playing with psychedelic and gruesome imagery.
With the medical professionals all being glib and giving it the old, “hey, it’s stress, take a walk and get some sleep” approach. His father is also very distant and unconcerned about his son. Hypochondriac really nails the hopeless feeling one can get when there is nothing physically wrong, which allows those in our lives to miss the agony raging inside. There is an excellent gag that all the doctors have the same winking dog poster on their wall, equivalent to a “Hang in there” Kitty. Basically, no matter where you go, you’ll get the same response if they can’t see it. Nice touch and attention to detail someone looking for real help would notice.
With his relationship crumbling and his job too much to handle due to his failing arms, Will goes to see his old therapist from when his mother tried to murder him when he was a boy. Dr. Sampson (Brewster) prescribes anti-psychotics after speaking with him. Will does not want to become his mother. However, the opposite effect happens and the wolf, slowly stalking in the shadows, comes in for the kill.
Both Zach Villa and Devon Graye give some of the most vulnerable and raw performances I’ve seen in a long while. The relationship and sexuality on display are captured in a way that feels almost voyeuristic. It’s genuine in the happy moments and the tragedy.
When it comes to the impact that a mental break has on both the one suffering through it and the loved ones affected at the same time, it pulls no punches. Told through the perspective of Will, we as the audience are along for the ride down the drain as the break reaches its crescendo. Villa not only has the weight of the film on his shoulders but must be the avatar for a very personal story being directed by the man who lived it.
Addison Heimann survived a mental breakdown and, when the dust settled, felt the need to tell his story. Using visual artistry to portray the fear, uncertainty, and hopelessness that comes from suffering a mental illness, Heimann helps viewers witness what a traumatic and horrifying experience it can be through the camera lens. While also finding the dark humor one can only see after surviving such an episode. Strong LGBQT+ representation, empathetic views and depictions of mental illness, and powerfully haunting imagery, Hypochondriac is one to watch for.4/5
You can check out the poster for Hypochondriac below. XYZ Films is planning a nationwide release in theaters and on digital later this year. Be sure to follow ScaryNerd for all things horror, sci-fi, fantasy and more.
About Post Author
K.B. O’Neil is an artist, writer and musician living in Cincinnati, Ohio. He loves movies, books, video games, snuggling his two pups and all things Horror. When not working he can be found getting into adventures with his wife and their new daughter.