THE COMPLEX (2012)

Find out about Sonny Fernandez’s films here
Directed by Sonny Fernandez
Written by Sonny Fernandez
Starring Cody Tergesen, Sam Ova, Justin Kavlie, Kim Haarman, Liz Doktor, & Sonny Fernandez

Sonny Fernandez is a force in the independent horror world. Churning out films as if he were some kind of low fi horror machine, Fernandez doesn’t concern himself with things like budget. He just writes a hell of a script and makes it with his friends with whatever is handy. Though many will snub their noses at the low standards by which his films are made—the amateurish acting, bad lighting and choppy editing often are problems–I am always astonished by the level of quality Fernandez’s scripts possess. I’ve said this in quite a few reviews of Fernandez’ work: if someone gave Fernandez the budget to fit his big ideas, I think he would become a force to be reckoned with in horror. As is, he continues to impress and grow with each film he releases.

THE COMPLEX is Fernandez’ most ambitious film to date, about a man who wakes up in the corridor of a seemingly endless maze of doors, none of them being an exit. Is this hell? Is this a prison? No one in the complex knows, but all are referred to as numbers and have no recollection as to why they are there. As it is with human nature, each of the residents of this building have fallen into jobs: one becomes a sort of superintendent fixing things that are broken, another looks after the weaker ones in the group, another female number provides sexual pleasure to the mostly male cast, and yet another provides the mysterious drug ambrosia which causes those who take it to fantasize about someplace outside of the complex and forget their captive lifestyles. Though their history is a mystery to all of those in the complex, one man, who wakes up with his face bandaged, dares to question the order of things and he leads a group of revolutionaries to battle the beasts who roam the hallways and the architects of this twisted prison they are inhabiting.

In many ways, THE COMPLEX is Fernandez’ THE MATRIX with robot creatures striving to keep the peace against of group of rebels fighting for freedom from this dream-like prison. Filmed in mostly black and white, Fernandez covers up a lot of the amateur effects well with quick cuts and creative camera tricks. Fernandez does a great job of doling out a lot of info here at once, immersing the viewer in this world and then taking us on a hero’s journey to escape it. Though the story gets a bit heady at times (which proves to be a bit much for its amateur cast to convey), Fernandez does a great job of establishing rules and guidelines so that this alien world the film lives in is at least understood. That said, the script gets way too over-expositiony toward the end as we find out the origin of the complex and the revolutionaries’ options to escape it. Flaws aside, this is a thrilling script from a filmmaker who will do anything to bring his images to life.

The duct tape and paper mache creatures that have become a standard for a Sonny Fernandez joint are present and accounted for, still charmingly amateurish and a whole lot of fun to experience. Fernandez’ regular cast of pals are here as well, so if you thought Cody Tergesen was badass in THE LAST BATTLEGROUND, he’s kung fu-ing here as well, and if you thought Liz Doktor was all kinds of gothy hot in HIGHWAY 91, she’s all kinds of hot again here too. If you’ve experienced a Sonny Fernandez film, you kind of know the level of quality filmmaking you’re going to get, but you can rest assured the script work continues to be the selling point of these films and is the main reason I am recommending THE COMPLEX for those who love indie horror.

Watch the entire film starting with Part One here!!