In The Mood For A Gorefest? Try ‘Illusions’
With a master evildoer “born to murder the world” and an ordinary hero who can deal with the most heinous challengers, Clive Barker’s “Lord of Illusions” is a state-of-the-art horror show that won’t disappoint the author/filmmaker’s loyal fans.
Delving into the world of professional magicians and sadomasochistic religious cults, Barker’s latest gore-splashed nightmare is a repulsive creation if one is not in the proper mood. The filmmaking is accomplished and lead Scott Bakula (star of the popular TV series “Quantum Leap”) comes through with a solid performance. But “Lord of Illusions” is headed toward only modest box office payoffs.
The film’s prologue is set in a desert ghost town where a cult led by diabolical Nix (Daniel Von Bargen) is dissolved when rebellious members disable the leader with a nasty mask that they literally screw into his head. Nix is buried and that’s that for 13 years.
Enter New York private detective Harry D’Amour (Bakula), who heads to Los Angeles in pursuit of a man fleeing an insurance fraud rap.
In short order, Harry gleans that the cult members are dying off in gruesome ways. The successful but nervous magician Philip Swann (Kevin J. O’Connor), who led the effort to put Nix in mothballs, uses more than illusions in his act, while his wife Dorothea (Famke Janssen) played a crucial role in taking out Nix the first time.
When Swan dies on stage, Harry and Dorothea gravitate toward each other, while a Nix loyalist eventually finds out how to bring his hero back to life.
There’s a lot of talk about the difference between illusionists and true magicians (who use the evil arts) but it doesn’t amount to much, while the world of unhinged cultists is merely evoked rather than satisfactorily explored. Still, Barker takes everything very seriously. A little humor might not have hurt.
MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: “Lord of Illusions” Locations: Lincoln Heights, Lyons and Coeur d’Alene cinemas Credits: Written and directed by Clive Barker, starring Scott Bakula, Daniel Von Bargen, Kevin J. O’Connor, Famke Janssen, Joel Swetow, Barry Del Sherman Running time: 1:49 Rating: R