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Film: Saint Drogo
Year: 2023
Directors: Michael J. Ahern, Ryan Miller and Brandon Perras
Writers: Michael J. Ahern and Brandon Perras
Starring: Michael J. Ahern, Brandon Perras and Matthew Pidge
Review:
This movie was one where the title caught my attention. It kicked off the final day of Nightmares Film Festival and it was the movie’s Midwest premiere. Other than that, I believe I looked up a bit while working the week prior to the festival. I didn’t remember much from that though.
Synopsis: a gay couple whose relationship has grown strained, take an impromptu trip to Provincetown, Cape Cod in the off-season to search for one of their exes who sent a cryptic package and disappeared.
We start this off on a beach. We are seeing Isaac (Tradd Sanderson). We don’t know his name until later. There is a hooded figure approaching. Isaac is searching for something in seaweed and flowers. He finds a rusty piece of metal that he uses to cut open his stomach, pulling out his innards.
This turns out to be a nightmare that Caleb (Brandon Perras) is having. He can’t shake it and decides to cancel his day. To try and clear his head, he is going to draw. He lives with his boyfriend, Adrian (Michael J. Ahern). It is here that we get the first glance at how strained their relationship is. We will learn later when Caleb is out with his friends. Adrian proposed and he declined, saying not right now. His friends think this is a red flag and that they should end it. There are still feelings there, but how much?
Caleb then gets a package in the mail. It has burnt flowers and a picture of Isaac. He also is the one that sent it. Caleb tries to call him but can’t get an answer. We learn later that Adrian is also having the same nightmare that Caleb is. I should also point out that Adrian makes concessions to Caleb. He doesn’t see it though. Another one is made when they decide to go on the trip from the synopsis. It is to Provincetown, where Isaac sent the package from.
This isn’t much of a vacation either. They meet Eric (Matthew Pidge) who is a local. He helps them try to find Isaac. Adrian seemed okay with this at first, but he doesn’t want to spend the whole trip looking for his boyfriend’s ex. Despite this, they continue the search. There is more to this though. Eric introduces Adrian to a drug that this used in the area. They also meet with an antique shopkeeper who tries to warn them off. Caleb sees that he’s losing Adrian, but his drive to find Isaac is too great. They also go to a party for the locals and the truth of this town is revealed.
That is where I’ll leave my recap and introduction to the characters. Where I want to start is that this movie checks boxes for me. The synopsis I was working off compares this to The Wicker Man and Rosemary’s Baby. I can see that. We have a cult running in this town. They also are brainwashing Adrian. This partially falls on Caleb to blame. He pushed to come here and when his partner wants to leave, he declines. The Wicker Man is also fitting that both feature an investigation.
A couple of other movies that I would compare this to would be Dead & Buried and Messiah of Evil. Part of the reason there is that we’re at a coastal town that keeps to itself. The cult idea also comes back up here. There is this figure who is Saint Drogo. We don’t know much about him, but the figure is looming. There isn’t a good look at him until late in the movie, but I loved that. It is an eerie feeling and atmosphere for sure. Another part is that it is bleak. They did film this in the winter at this east coast beach. That adds a layer for me.
Now I did see a gripe ahead of writing this. They want to know more about the cult and who this figure is. Reflecting on this, I do agree. Instead, we are focusing more on Caleb. This also has heavy LGTBQ+ vibes. Caleb, Adrian, Eric and Isaac are all gay. It does seem like everyone in this town is as well. I did chuckle to myself the number of men of bald, bearded man all have congregated here. If this is coming off that I’m homophobic, that’s not what I’m trying to say. This feels like a movie made by gay men for gay men. We don’t have enough of this so until we do, it is a bigger deal. Personally, I just want to learn more about Saint Drogo and his cult and less about the surreal sex scenes. That is something that does go back to Rosemary’s Baby.
There isn’t more I need to delve into for the story so let me get over to the acting. For the most part, I thought it was solid across the board. I like Ahern as this boyfriend who is doing what he can to make things work. It is a losing effort though. I’ve been there so I can connect. Perras was also solid. I hate to say this, but I do think he overacted just a bit. It doesn’t ruin anything, I just noticed it. I liked Pidge as this local who might know more than he’s letting on. Sanderson and the rest of the cast also rounded this out for what was needed. I did want to credit the person who took on the role of Saint Drogo as well. Hearing that the beach scenes were ice cold and he was just in a cloak is impressive.
All that is left then would be the filmmaking. I’ll say once more that the look of the Saint Drogo was great. The only issue is that the teeth we see look fake and part of the mask. Doesn’t ruin anything though. I’d also say the blood and gore we got was on point. It is gross which I wasn’t necessarily expecting. The editing was good, as was the cinematography. Part of the latter was capturing the eerie atmosphere of this place. It is also bleak which comes through along with the cold. I’d also say that the soundtrack and design fit what was needed.
In conclusion, this is a solid cult film. It does wear its influences on its sleeve which isn’t a bad thing. I love this idea of a cult working in a small coastal town like this. It isn’t something new, but there are Lovecraftian vibes to it. I’m there for that. I love the look of Saint Drogo. The effects are the best part of the filmmaking along with the cinematography. This is just well made in general. The acting was solid enough. I can see people being turned off to this for the heavy sexuality vibes. It is part of the fabric of this movie though. If you can get past that, love movies with cults in them, give this one a chance.
My Rating: 7 out of 10