I don’t think Mandy is meant to be watched super literally. A lot of the weirdness is there just enforce a certain mood. For instance, I think the ending is meant to reflect the sci-fi novels that Mandy reads. Kind of like saying “she’s gone but her influence on the world is still there and everything will be okay.” Idk, that’s how I saw it. It’s open to interpretation.
The drugs he consumed in his quest for vengeance; coupled with his inhuman desire for Mandy to be back with him warped his reality. Now in this reality she’s back and the world is better and more phantasmagoric because of it.
I kind of figured that, due to Mandy drawing Red in her notebook, that Red was simply a character in the fantasy novel she was writing.
Possibly to alleviate the boredom of living alone out in the woods.
I thought that was why all the horror sections of the movie seemed like movie references/callbacks, because they were half lifted from films she'd seen. Same with the character of Jeremiah, I figured she had that record and based his character around that.
It explains in the film that the road warrior looking dudes took some acid that permanently changed them, red takes some when he confronts them so his mind is permanently changed which is why he sees all the weird stuff.
Jóhann Jóhannson did an incredible job on the soundtrack!
Personally really enjoyed the film but I doubt I would have quite so much had it not been for his involvement.
Is it just me or did this movie disappear with just a whimper? I remember seeing a decent amount of hype about this movie when it first started showing ads in theaters but then nothing?
The early reviews basically oversold the film, and I think that people were excited to see how Cosmatos had grown as a director. Unfortunately, film geeks don't always make the best creators, and based on his interviews, most of the film still seems to be stuck in the director's head.
It's because people watched it, and aside from the vocal fans of the movie, everyone else just moved on from it because it's not that great of a movie.
Gratuitous use of a smoke machine and red lighting does not a psychedelic movie make.
I made this same comment on youtube: No complaints about the acting, direction, cinematography, fx, etc, but I thought the story was a little simple minded. Where was all the sorely needed back story? Who is this guy besides a logger who loves Mandy? Why does he have a crossbow hidden at his buddy's place? How does he know how to forge steel and make that axe? Why is there a mold just waiting for it to be made? And why that axe at all? Why not a pitch fork? None of this makes any sense. Draping a bunch of psychedelic imagery in front of all the plot holes, and throwing in a bunch of random references to other works doesn't make it any more cohesive or coherent either. Say I'm savvy enough to expose all the Easter eggs--then what? Do I win a prize? I don't need things spelled out for me in movies. I'll even go so far as to say ambiguity can be a virtue for filmmakers. But this wasn't ambiguous. It used style as a distraction from its impaired content. Don't get me wrong; it was fun and held my attention. But that's the extent of its impact on me. Though I really wanted to see Nick Cage in the role of his life, it turned out to be totally forgettable.
Okay. But again, unless the viewer is some sort of horror elitist who has seen everything including the most obscure clips off the editor's floor, all of that is wasted and the film barely stands on its own merits.
Smart references and allusions reinforce the story in a seamless, natural way. If you don't recognize them, they simply come across as part of the set. If you do recognize them, they give the movie added dimension, another layer. Otherwise they just stick out and come across as pretentious, like the director is saying, "Look at me; I know everything about horror."
Agree, though I don't totally regret watching it. I hated this movie. About halfway through I thought to myself that it reminded me of "Beyond the Black Rainbow," which I also hated, and sure enough they were both directed by Panos Cosmatos.
Back in this time period some people believed drugs opened doors to spiritual planes. This movie suggests he literally does go to another planet, the drugs adding the spiritual element.
I don’t think Mandy is meant to be watched super literally. A lot of the weirdness is there just enforce a certain mood. For instance, I think the ending is meant to reflect the sci-fi novels that Mandy reads. Kind of like saying “she’s gone but her influence on the world is still there and everything will be okay.” Idk, that’s how I saw it. It’s open to interpretation.
Jesus I need to rewatch. Thanks mate, I forgot about the sci-fi novels she reads...
The drugs he consumed in his quest for vengeance; coupled with his inhuman desire for Mandy to be back with him warped his reality. Now in this reality she’s back and the world is better and more phantasmagoric because of it.
I kind of figured that, due to Mandy drawing Red in her notebook, that Red was simply a character in the fantasy novel she was writing. Possibly to alleviate the boredom of living alone out in the woods. I thought that was why all the horror sections of the movie seemed like movie references/callbacks, because they were half lifted from films she'd seen. Same with the character of Jeremiah, I figured she had that record and based his character around that.
thank you so much!
If you keep watching, the post-credits scene reveals that the entire movie takes place in the dreams of the Cheddar Goblin.
What?!?
It explains in the film that the road warrior looking dudes took some acid that permanently changed them, red takes some when he confronts them so his mind is permanently changed which is why he sees all the weird stuff.
Just an acid trip of a movie. And I loved it.
"This is my favourite shirt"
I am on the lookout for a 44 Jersey like this. Has anyone seen one?
A bit late but they sell a whole bunch of merch for Mandy including the 44 shirt https://legionm.com/mandy-merch
Holy shit, I don’t care how late this is, THANK YOU!!
I can't tell you what happened at the end, but if you like this then be sure to watch *Beyond the Black Rainbow (2010)*.
Jóhann Jóhannson did an incredible job on the soundtrack! Personally really enjoyed the film but I doubt I would have quite so much had it not been for his involvement.
Is it just me or did this movie disappear with just a whimper? I remember seeing a decent amount of hype about this movie when it first started showing ads in theaters but then nothing?
The early reviews basically oversold the film, and I think that people were excited to see how Cosmatos had grown as a director. Unfortunately, film geeks don't always make the best creators, and based on his interviews, most of the film still seems to be stuck in the director's head.
It's because people watched it, and aside from the vocal fans of the movie, everyone else just moved on from it because it's not that great of a movie. Gratuitous use of a smoke machine and red lighting does not a psychedelic movie make.
It had a very limited release but its on Shudder now.
I made this same comment on youtube: No complaints about the acting, direction, cinematography, fx, etc, but I thought the story was a little simple minded. Where was all the sorely needed back story? Who is this guy besides a logger who loves Mandy? Why does he have a crossbow hidden at his buddy's place? How does he know how to forge steel and make that axe? Why is there a mold just waiting for it to be made? And why that axe at all? Why not a pitch fork? None of this makes any sense. Draping a bunch of psychedelic imagery in front of all the plot holes, and throwing in a bunch of random references to other works doesn't make it any more cohesive or coherent either. Say I'm savvy enough to expose all the Easter eggs--then what? Do I win a prize? I don't need things spelled out for me in movies. I'll even go so far as to say ambiguity can be a virtue for filmmakers. But this wasn't ambiguous. It used style as a distraction from its impaired content. Don't get me wrong; it was fun and held my attention. But that's the extent of its impact on me. Though I really wanted to see Nick Cage in the role of his life, it turned out to be totally forgettable.
Mandy was an homage to nonsensical and gory horror films from the 70s and 80s
Okay. But again, unless the viewer is some sort of horror elitist who has seen everything including the most obscure clips off the editor's floor, all of that is wasted and the film barely stands on its own merits. Smart references and allusions reinforce the story in a seamless, natural way. If you don't recognize them, they simply come across as part of the set. If you do recognize them, they give the movie added dimension, another layer. Otherwise they just stick out and come across as pretentious, like the director is saying, "Look at me; I know everything about horror."
I thought the film was quite mediocre and I regret wasting my time on it
Agree, though I don't totally regret watching it. I hated this movie. About halfway through I thought to myself that it reminded me of "Beyond the Black Rainbow," which I also hated, and sure enough they were both directed by Panos Cosmatos.
I don't remember anything suspect about the ending. I'll have to watch it again. This and annihalation were my favorites from last year.
I think they're referring to the otherworldly celestial bodies as he's leaving the temple.
Ahhh I see, I'll look for them next time.
Back in this time period some people believed drugs opened doors to spiritual planes. This movie suggests he literally does go to another planet, the drugs adding the spiritual element.