SYNOPSIS
A young man isolates himself in a trailer in the woods, with only his cat for company and his cousin for supplies, until he runs out of his psych meds - and unwittingly summons more than he can deal with.
OPINION
The Alchemist Cookbook is a tight psychological horrorshow that navigates the tightrope between the liminal and the subliminal. With a cast of two and a budget of next-to-nothing, it's a methodical, carefully paced character study that burns slow - but hot.
CAST + CREW
Director: Joel Potrykus (Relaxer, Buzzard, Ape)
Cast: Ty Hickson (Gimme the Loot)
Amari Cheatom (Relaxer, Knucklehead, Night Catches Us)
CONTENT (spoilered; highlight for warnings)
violence against animals (offscreen), demonic possession, mental illness, self-harm
CAREER STATS [on a scale from 1 (least) to 10 (most)]
FUN: 7
Cast chemistry and a genuinely likeable lead; smart script.
SCARINESS: 4
Light on scares, but extremely creepy when it wants to be.
INTENSITY: 8
Watching a young man go mad in isolation; no holds barred.
RECOMMENDABILITY: 6
One of my absolute favorite films - but not for everyone.
SEE ALSO:
Relaxer, The Exorcist III, Under the Silver Lake
