''Pop Skull'' is a 2007 American

horror film Horror is a film genre that seeks to elicit fear or disgust in its audience for entertainment purposes. Horror films often explore dark subject matter and may deal with transgressive topics or themes. Broad elements include monsters, apoca ...

directed by

Adam Wingard Adam Wingard ( ; born December 3, 1982) is an American filmmaker. He has served as a director, producer, screenwriter, editor, cinematographer, actor, and composer on numerous projects. Following an early career as a member of the mumblecore ...

. In 2003, filmmaker

approached Mexican American actor

Lane Hughes In road transport, a lane is part of a roadway that is designated to be used by a single line of vehicles to control and guide drivers and reduce traffic conflicts. Most public roads (highways) have at least two lanes, one for traffic in each ...

with the idea of doing a semi-autobiographical film about a recent breakup. They conceived the film as "one-part psychedelic, one-part horror and one-part romance" and made it for $2,000.00.

Premise

The film depicts the lonely and disjointed life of Daniel, a young Alabama pill addict, as his efforts to cope with the trials of his day-to-day life collide with the increasing influence of murderous and displaced spirits that inhabit his home.

Cast

as Daniel * E. L. Katz as Eddie *

as Raymond * Jeff Dylan Graham as Matt Tepper * Maggie Henry as Natalie * Hannah Hughes as Morgan * Brandon Carroll as Jeff * L.C. Holt as Victor * Jennifer Price as Mom * Benjamin Riley (as Ben Schmitt) as Himself (Commercial Guy) * Debbie Stefanov as Abby

Release

Pop Skull screened at several major film festivals, including the

American Film Institute The American Film Institute (AFI) is an American nonprofit film organization that educates filmmakers and honors the heritage of the motion picture arts in the United States. AFI is supported by private funding and public membership fees. Leade ...

and the

Rome Film Festival International Rome Film Fest is a film festival that takes place in Rome during the month of October. The name in Italian is Festa del Cinema di Roma. Sections The Rome Film Festival official program is divided into several sections: Cinema d'Og ...

. It won the jury award at the Boston Underground Film Festival and the Grand Jury Prize at the

Indianapolis International Film Festival Founded in 2004, the Indianapolis International Film Festival seeks to create a shared experience by championing films that entertain, challenge, and expand perspectives in Indianapolis and beyond. Indianapolis International Film Festival is als ...

Critical response

Reviews were generally enthusiastic. LA Splash said Hughes gave "a truly magnetic Manson vibe the entire time, allowing director Adam Wingard to make great use of the extreme close-up". ''

The Grudge ''The Grudge'' is a 2004 supernatural horror film directed by Takashi Shimizu, written by Stephen Susco, and produced by Sam Raimi, Robert Tapert, and Takashige Ichise. A remake of Shimizu's 2002 Japanese horror film '' Ju-On: The Grudge'', i ...

'' screenwriter

Stephen Susco Stephen Susco is an American screenwriter, producer, and director. He is best known for writing horror films such as ''The Grudge'', ''The Grudge 2'', and ''Texas Chainsaw 3D''. His directorial debut film, '' Unfriended: Dark Web'', had its premie ...

remarked that it was "unlike any horror film you've ever seen - or will ever see..." ''

Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

'' called the movie "powerful" and suggested it created "a new genre: acid horror."

References

External links

* * * {{Adam Wingard 2007 films 2007 horror films 2000s ghost films American haunted house films American horror films Films directed by Adam Wingard Films with screenplays by Adam Wingard Films set in Alabama Films about drugs Films produced by Adam Wingard 2000s English-language films 2000s American films