The Empty Man is an unholy mess of a horror movie and that’s probably the nicest thing I can say about it.
Let’s not beat around the bush. This is one of the dumbest and most incomprehensible movies ever made. It falls under the category of giving the audience a test on it after and they would flunk every question. You know what? I would still pass them if they sat through it.
Based on a graphic novel, the movie tells the story of an ex-cop (James Badge Dale) who is trying to solve the mysterious disappearance of a teenage girl and his investigation leads him to believe that there might be a supernatural connection.
The cop continues his search and throughout the movie, we get the typical cliches of a mystery such as no one believes the cop even when the evidence is staring them directly in the face. Also, the friends of the victim are largely ignored by everyone in the town even though it’s obvious to the audience that the characters will eventually do an about-face.
The cop’s investigation ultimately leads him to discover a secret society of sorts that may or may not have been responsible for the disappearing girl. Are they a help or a hinder? You know what? I just answered that question.
There’s nothing to remotely enjoy about The Empty Man. It’s not scary or smart or clever in the slightest sense. The story runs hither and yon in the most idiotic fashion. The characters are one-dimensional, the scares are virtually nonexistent, and the attempted plot twists are so illogical and baffling, that they make you want to throw your popcorn and drinks at the screen in absolute anger.
The Empty Man is the most aptly named title of the year because it left me feeling just that: Empty. I could continue to tear this movie apart, but that would be giving it too much credit.
Grade: F
(Rated R for violence, disturbing images, language, some sexuality and nudity.)
