Scorching the Retinas – Killer Sofa

Killer Sofa (2018)

New Zealand

Writer/Director – Bernardo/Bernie Rao

Runtime – 77 minutes

Mad Kiwi

1220 Film Production Co.

High Octane Pictures

 

A film about a sofa (recliner for those in The States) with homicidal instincts, huh? I’m curious. Even though I’d initially assume this would belong under the Troma stable I’m still intrigued. Tell me more.

(Trailer courtesy of JoBlo Horror)

Initial scenes show the sofa (recliner) and its involvement in a grisly murder. This sounds strange, scratch that, it was rather a witness to it. And one can’t help but think that it shown to have somewhat of a personality, a face, a smirk of sorts, within its folds/design.

Don’t mind me I’m just ‘sat here’ unassuming

A Police duo are assigned to the case to investigate the death of the recliners former owner and consist of a recently separated guy (Inspector Gravy, Jed Brophy) and his straight edged, no nonsense partner, Inspector Grape.

Said sofa is found in storage and taken to the residence of its former owners, Frederico, obsession. On the way Jack, a local furniture store owner, is asked for directions. He touches the sofa, believing he sees blood (he does, those moving the sofa had an accident) and receives a vision of sorts. A forest, a maiden, a chase. The mover leaves and Jack is left believing it to be exhibiting signs of harboring a spirit, a Dybbuk.

Don’t mind me, I’m just enjoying myself

When Franchesca, Piimio Mei, the sofas new owner enjoys ‘a moment by herself’ atop her new acquisition she awakes the next morning confused, out of sorts. Something is definitely amiss.

Jack, Jim Baltaxe, meanwhile does a little research (a video which showcases Tohunga Makutu, Grant Kereama, a strong on-screen presence who leaves an instant impression) and finds that his having touched the couch/sofa/recliner wasn’t the best of ideas as he isn’t in the best of health and it only seems to be getting worse.

TJ, Franchesca’s roommate, believes he is having experiences with the furniture. He believes the sofa attacked him and is found in the bathtub with a tourniquet around his leg. Strange happenings continue to occur and Jacks belief that a spirit might be possessing the sofa seems more and more likely although improbable it’s a piece of furniture after all.

The Dybbuk has somehow managed to find itself inside a piece of furniture, how quaint!

At times the same personality, mentioned above, seem to manifest. An intruder (another guy obsessed) to Franchesca’s residence brings about a quizzical and curious look (if that’s possible) though that’s not all the scene rolls out with quite the odd behavour but it all gets “ironed out” (whoops I’ve said too much!) though I shall not ruin it by providing play by play.

 

The backstory develops, most everything is explained, and all the weirdness seems to make sense, even the reason why the sofa seems to have a mind of its own.

Voodoo shenanigans and interactions like:

You were at his house, what were you doing there?

– He asked me to cut his legs off.

Keep the intrigue level high.

The comedy aspect displayed is terrific, although not laugh aloud the dark element works excellently. Who would ever think that a film about a killer piece of furniture could be so entertaining, well -produced, excellently directed and far from the ridiculous/bizarre heights one would expect and where other production companies would likely place it. The class with which this film plays out is admirable putting me in mind of others in a similar vein including an unlikely premise, one involving fleece covered mammals by name of Black Sheep. Dream like sequences add depth and are captured wonderfully, executed with flair adding a believable historical element which aids the story line.

Believe it or not this is Jed Brophy, and this picture has little to do with a “Sofa”

The acting is top notch, one would never think this is a lower budget affair. Several outstanding performances give the audience a reason to care. Maxi played by Natalie Morris is mischievous though always has her best friends interests at heart. Jack, Jim Baltaxe, is an aging Rabbi who owns a failing business and has come to the sudden realization that he has a gift much like his Father, who wishes to have nothing to do with him. Inspector Gravy, Jed Brophy (District 9, King Kong, LotR and The Hobbit franchises and Heavenly Creatures among a ton more) buries himself in his work in order that he might be able to not dwell upon the state of his disastrous marriage. And then there’s the star of the film the couch/sofa/recliner a comfortable looking character who really can’t help the predicament in which he’s been placed. The effects showcased here are of note also. The film has strayed from the over the top gore aspect (which many others might well have ran with) to instead rely upon a creepiness, What the F! factor, and it works and could well draw the viewer into a what if scenario of their very own imagining after the films viewing.

An unassuming microwave display, but is any one of them possessed?

Of note is that the end credits track (which also features during the beginning of the film itself and introduces the friendship collective all in a band) “You’re Cold” which is written and performed by the director. More importantly however, is the fact that it’s as intriguing and entertaining as the film itself. A film which (hopefully I conveyed my thoughts upon adequately during this short piece) warrants seeking out as it is far and above that which I assumed it to be. An assumption based purely on its title, if truth be told.

In conclusion, as if my words haven’t conveyed this already, I wholeheartedly recommend this film. Its far from the usual horror affair and is different enough to garner interest based on its premise alone. The fact that this has been pulled off without it plunging into unwatchable depths is beyond me and deserves applause in and of itself, but netter yet is that it works and stays entertaining throughout.

Need a place to sit while watching a movie? I’m your man!

Catch this at your earliest convenience.

Cult

Killer Sofa premieres on VoD and DVD October 1^st.