When I was in high school, I made friends with a new student who liked horror movies too. We would swap movies and also introduce each other to horror movies we never heard of before. It was around this time that he told me about Tempe Video. Being an effects fan and Fangoria reader, he had picked up The Dead Next Door and Skinned Alive at some point. I remember watching both of those films over and over one night while drinking.
Both are absolutely amazing movies, so after that night I quickly got my own copies of them for my collection. Over the years I’ve added most of the Tempe releases to my collection and upgraded them when they would make premiers on new formats. So when I got the press release for J.R. Bookwalter’s newest film Side Effects May Vary doing a theatrical run, being a huge fan of his messy horror films, I reached out to him. He kindly sent over a screening link, thanks again for all the support you’ve shown myself and Horror Society.
The film follows Glenn (Edwards), a conspiracy theorist during the beginning stages of a pandemic that gets sick and is forced by his wife to get a vaccine in order to get better. While it does help him get better, he does slowly start disintegrating as well as craving human flesh.
I went into Side Effects May Vary knowing nothing about aside from it being from legendary indie filmmaker J.R. Bookwalter starring frequent collaborator James L. Edwards but this pairing has given us some seriously unforgettable moments in horror cinema and this is no exception. Another fantastic film with oozy effects and story that is still relevant today but would have hit bigger if released few years ago.
The acting in this one is great too! James never disappoints when attached to something whether it be in front or behind camera like always his character here very relatable even though we don’t see eye to eye on many things I still found it very grounded because we all know people like him. We also get a fantastic performance from Drew Fortier who has been in several other films that I was lucky enough to review in the past, love his character and how he approached the role but everyone else is just as solid these two really stand out and carry film.
The plot for this one isn’t new or original but it’s got Bookwalter’s spin on it. It should have come out closer to the beginning of the pandemic I mean, COVID restrictions and all that made it virtually impossible so I can see why it took so long to hit theaters. Also, I wish there were more wild off-the-wall conspiracy theories like we’ve heard over the past four years. Having said that though, this is a fun take on a familiar story by Bookwalter. I’ve seen several indie productions where people take experimental drugs and start turning into flesh-crazed fiends; however in this movie they retain some shred of their humanity, and you mix that with the supporting characters’ storylines throughout the film, and you’ve got something that will keep your attention from start to finish.
Lastly but certainly not leastly (yeah I know that’s not really a word), this movie has some AMAZING practical/make-up effects! Seriously though top notch make-up work here folks!! It had me thinking about other movies with this much slime/puss/oozing skin like The Stuff & The Blob. If you’re a fan of J.R.’s earlier films or just horror flicks in general that don’t shy away from “the red stuff,” then Side Effects May Vary is definitely up your alley. To sum things up: contender for best horror movie of the year & it’s only February!! This is the type of horror flick that got me into reviewing them in first place fingers crossed for many more from James & J.R.! Do yourself a favor and check it out if given opportunity!
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