‘Absurd’ is Joe D’Amato’s follow-up to the notorious ‘Antropophagus’ and it often referred to as its sequel. However, apart from the same director and having the looming George Eastman once again wandering around killing people, there is very little similarity save the fact they are both poor films…with ‘Absurd’ definitely trumping its predecessor in the low quality stakes. Gone is the setting on a remote and eerily empty Greek island which characterised ‘Antropohagus ‘, instead supplanting the (so-called) action to a small American town. In doing this, ‘Absurd’ is clearly going for a ‘Halloween’ nightmare-in-suburbia vibe…but in lacking any of the character development, script, or technical craft of Carpenter’s flick, ‘Absurd’ flails about limply with a lame premise, zero suspense, and only manages to glimpse redemption (albeit unattained) with the make-up effects on the kills…which is no doubt why is got on the DPP’s list of Video Nasties.

The plot (as some would have it) is that Eastman has undergone a scientific procedure which has enabled his body to regenerate itself quickly (a la Wolverine) and consequently can only be killed with a shot to the head. Oh, and he’s insane. As such, a killing spree ensues and the Priest-cum-scientist who “created” him hooks up with the town Sheriff to hunt him down. The showdown takes place in a house with a girl (for some reason) recovering from a spinal operation, her nurse, and a really annoying kid. I’ve always found a house to be a great setting for a suspenseful horror movie (e.g. ‘Last House on the Left’ (1972), ‘Black Christmas’ (1974), ‘Halloween’ (1978)) but the pacing of ‘Absurd’ is so slow and the acting so bad on all counts that none of the suspense and tension which is so abundantly present in these other movies even threatens to show its head…let alone eviscerate you.

Okay, putting on my positive cap: some of the kills are pretty cool e.g. the buzzsaw-in-the-head scene as well as the oven scene, and the soundtrack has its moments…but even in a 90 minute film with competent acting and a decent story this wouldn’t cut it, let alone a movie as deplorable as this. The film is quite hard to come by as it hasn’t been reissued in the UK, which maybe adds a mystique to it but, as far as video nasties go, it’s clear that boredom more than moral outrage is the reason why.