Some of the best horror being made these days happens on the indie circuit. Cassie Keet’s Scream Therapy snuck under the radar, but I’ve been screaming about it ever since its release. Billed as a horror/comedy, the satanic film leans heavily into comedy with decorative horror elements. The physical and verbal gags mostly work, and even when they don’t, they’re so silly that they still elicit a chuckle or two. As far as indies go, Scream Therapy fits snugly somewhere between Slay and Summoning Sylvia, for its reliance on actor chemistry and commitment to the work. Built upon a tight script, also penned by Keet, there’s just enough scatterbrained horror to keep you glued to your seat.
When Avery (Harley Bronwyn) breaks up with her boyfriend of seven years, her friends – Nora (Claire Dellamar), Dylan (Mandie Cheung), Marybeth (Geri Courtney-Austein), and Gillian (Rochelle Anderson) – kidnap her for the weekend for some scream therapy. Escaping the pressures of their everyday lives, the group rents an Airbnb in the middle of the desert to refocus, recharge, and recenter. There’s plenty of booze, shenanigans, and a little bit of acid in the desert. When they head to a local watering hole, Nora befriends long-haired cult member Jeremiah (Brian Flaccus), with charming good looks and a dazzling smile. Unbeknownst to the group, Jeremiah has ulterior motives and later tracks them down to the house in which they’re staying.
More debauchery ensues on the group’s second night when Jeremiah and his brother Zachariah (Skyler Bible) show up. “By two weeks!” protests Jeremiah when Zachariah claims superiority as the “older” brother. With Nora, Marybeth, Avery, and Gillian tied to chairs and a pole, Dylan sneaks around the fringes of the property and attempts a rescue plot. It turns out Marybeth actually met Zachariah the night before and even gave explicit directions to where they are staying. So much for laying low!
In an attempt to get the upper hand, Marybeth trips Zachariah – and the knife he holds digs into his chest on the way down. In that moment, a mid-level management-type demon takes possession of his body, turning his eyes black. What’s even more, the demon is a huge fan of Nicolas Cage. He’s not just a casual fan; he’s a bonafide stan. Roughly 25 minutes into the film, the Nic Cage quips start, and there’s a literal reference to the acclaimed actor every 10-15 minutes. Marybeth even wears a hoodie with “Nicolas Cage’s Face” emblazoned on the front.
Keet expands the story from a simple demonic tale to a Nic Cage love letter. “I love Nicholas Cage so much. I have several Nicholas Cage T-shirts, and I have a Nicholas Cage pillow on my chair. I love Nicholas Cage,” Keet gushes in an interview with Yahoo!. “I grew up watching his movies, and there’s a movie for every mood, for every life situation. There’s a movie for falling in love, having your heart broken, and for fighting on a plane full of convicts if that ever happens.”
“I love how weird he is and how dedicated he is to doing this no-holds-barred kind of thing. Honestly, he inspires me,” she continues. “I don’t think that man is capable of feeling self-doubt. We should all be more like Nicholas Cage, right?”
Midway through the film, Zachariah launches into a Nic Cage monologue, part of which is below:
“He’s like a really cool guy. He could have easily coasted through life being a Coppola, but he chose to make a name for himself. Is he in a million movies? Yes. Are some of those movies of questionable quality? Sure. But you know what? He’s not afraid to really go for something, you know? He swings for the fences, no apologies. And he always acts like every scene might be his last.”
His monologue comes from a deeply personal place. It was born from “the depths of my heart.” Keet adds. “I could have written a 45-minute monologue about Nicolas Cage—it could have been longer than the rest of the movie. Thankfully, they reined me in just a little bit for that.”
While the effusiveness over Nic Cage is delightfully hilarious, it’s only part of the equation. Even without it, there’s still plenty to enjoy about Scream Therapy. As the stakes ratchet higher, the group must figure out a way of not being sacrificed for man’s pleasure, leading to some of the best gags in the entire film. Don’t worry, no spoilers: let’s just say the worst of humanity might be on the chopping block next! Along the way, the cast hits a home run with the physical and verbal humor that’s stitched into the film’s fabric. Could they have played it straight? Sure. But does it work with a hyper-aware, sometimes goofy, approach? 100%. Its indie charm makes for a wonderful and enjoyable viewing experience. With a meager budget, Cassie Keet and her creative team make it work on every conceivable level.
Scream Therapy shows great promise for everyone involved. The cinematography, courtesy of DP Alex Laya, is crisp and clean. It might not be particularly inventive, but it works for the kind of film this is. It doesn’t need frills and visual tricks to underscore the story. Cassie Keet wrote a tight script about not only Nicolas Cage but also themes of consent, sisterhood, and the agonizing prevalence of toxic men looking just to score.
In the end, Scream Therapy is a hoot ‘n a half. It doesn’t take itself too seriously and allows Keet’s wit to carry us to the finale. Men are punished, and womanhood is rewarded. That’s really all we could want in this scrappy little indie that just asks you to go along for the ride. The Nicolas Cage jokes are just icing on the cake. We could all really use a little more Nic Cage in our lives, right?
Scream Therapy is available wherever you rent/buy movies.
Apropos of nothing, Cassie Keet’s follow-up, Abigail Before Beatrice, is a real showstopper.
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