Jesse Cook’s The Hyperborean had its world premiere at the prestigious FilmQuest Film Festival, where it was honored with nominations in four categories. An independent Canadian production, the film sees whiskey magnate Hollis Cameron gather his dysfunctional family at his remote woodland retreat for the unveiling of his latest spirit. But what was meant as a celebration takes quite the unexpected turn.
We’re quickly thrown into the deep end as the film introduces us to its colorful clan of characters. Hollis is an over-the-top patriarch played vibrantly by writer Tony Burgess in a true sight to behold. His three adult children could not be more different—from pretentious hipster Aldous to down-home chef Rex. Also joining in the frivolities are assorted in-laws, lawyers, and a no-nonsense crisis manager. As diverse as they are delightful, this ensemble is a joy to spend time with.
From the get-go, it’s clear Cook and Burgess intend to take us on a wild ride. But little do these folks know the genuine strangeness that awaits once Hollis’ “legacy” cask is uncorked to reveal not precious whiskey but a frozen figure from another time and place. And so the doors to another dimension swing open, setting the stage for a memorable movie-watching experience.
Family Secrets in the Woods
The story kicks off as wealthy whiskey baron Hollis Cameron gathers his adult children at his remote woodland home. Hollis plans to unveil his crowning achievement—casks of amber liquid aged a staggering 170 years, salvaged from a long-lost shipwreck. But this family reunion won’t go quite as planned.
We meet Hollis’ trio of offspring: daughter Diana tends an art gallery, eldest son Rex runs a culinary venture, and youngest Aldous owns a hip whiskey lounge. Despite their differences, you sense shadows of the past linger. Hollis also hopes his revelation will inspire the boys’ ambitions, little realizing what chaos will unfold.
When one cask is uncorked, everyone’s shocked by what’s found preserved inside—a human body, frozen in time. As the hyperborean thaws, strange abilities emerge, and the family falls into disarray, scrambling for answers. Are they losing their grip on reality?
Told via flashbacks, we learn it’s not the only mystery surrounding Hollis’ discovery. His backstory hints at longstanding secrets woven into Canadian history and mythology. As paranormal events escalate, lines blur between what’s real and imagined.
The Hyperborean skillfully weaves together various genres. Family drama exposes Cameron’s dynamics, while a sense of conspiracy permeates the cryptic details of Hollis’ last find. Splashes of dark humor balance supernatural chillers brewing in the woods.
Together, writer Tony Burgess and director Jesse Cook stir up an imaginative blend sure to keep audiences guessing. While the outcome may confound logic, their vision underscores a deeper exploration—of shadows in our past and truth’s many guises.
Mirth and Macabre in the Woods
The Hyperborean weaves a deliciously odd tapestry, blending humor, heart, and horror in a truly unique fashion. The quirky tone steadfastly balances levity and eeriness from start to bizarre finish.
Whether sly one-liners or character quirks, wit pervades even dire scenarios. Though dread lurks beneath, laughs flow freely. Crazier things unfold yet remain endearing through top-notch performances and direction.
Comparably, early cult classics like Re-Animator thrived on testing boundaries of camp and chills. Like cockeyed splatterpunk, Cook and Burgess nourish the bizarre and let humor buoy even gruesome reveals.
More akin to Shaun of the Dead, affection for characters renders gore forgivable. Bonds formed through comedy endure all terrors, shining light on humanity’s darker side.
Perhaps what engrosses most stems from offbeat folk whose puzzling passions perplex yet intrigue. Never quite sure what happens next, viewers hang on plots every left turn. No character too strange or action too absurd to dismiss; only marvel at imagination.
Much as life itself, the ridiculous and grim intertwine. But where others strain for balance, The Hyperborean wears irreverence and unease as casually as plaid and leather. Melding humor and heart with nightmare fuel in one cohesive, curiously entertaining package.
Mysteries of the North
Beyond zany antics, The Hyperborean pondered more profound notions. Fractured families forged faint bonds, facing fantastical frights. Deeper still, director and writer contemplated Canadian mystique and mystical history’s meaning.
Mythology inspired a multilayered story. Hyperboreans represented northern isolationism—peoples lost beyond perception’s end, as sailors sealed within Arctic ice. Hollis’ discovery too dredged depths of disappeared densities, distilling spirits from the sunk and spectral.
Family foibles flaunted fissures, exploited yet explained existence’s absurdities. Under unlikely actions lied longing for belonging—children craving father’s fondness, fractured fraternity’s fond reunion. Chaos charmed through cherished togetherness.
Themes echoed writer Burgess’ past. Previous works pondered linguistics’ mind-warping ways. Here, realms between reality and delusion blurred—what’s witnessed versus what’s warranted when worlds wander wildly astray.
Subtext subtly suggested persistence’s power, even when plagued by plights. Daughter’s disability denoted defiance in the face of frailty. Survival signified solidarity, proving personal potency prevails.
The deepest mysteries concerned history haunting the homeland’s hidden haunted havens. What unknown unknowns lay locked within an icy entombment, waiting to be woken by world-changing wonders? Some riddles remained resolutely refused resolution, respecting enigma’s eternal essence.
Enigma enthralled through evocative exploits. Though nonsense’s nature nettled logic, these luminous lies loomed largely and lingered long after leavetaking—enlightening through enchantment alone.
Into the Woods: Strengths and Room for Growth
The Hyperborean brings its own delights and difficulties. On the plus side, Cook and Burgess crafted a truly original oddity, blending genres in ways rarely seen. Their inventiveness kept viewers constantly guessing in the best way.
Springing from Tony Burgess’ singular imagination, characters fascinated me from beginning to end. Each performer absolutely embodied their eccentric roles. You couldn’t tear your eyes from the screen as these weirdos played out.
Clever visuals likewise shone. Thanks to skilled editing and effects work, fantastical scenes felt persuasively plausible. Tension built superbly through unsettling images darkened by midnight forests.
Comparisons arise to cult classics like Re-Animator for good reason. Like that splatterpunk staple, The Hyperborean wears its bizarreness with pride and serves chills with humor. Yet its heartfelt touches give monsters more nuance.
Of course, minimal budgets demand minimal means. Plots packed with playful plot turns grew convoluted at times. And not all audiences embrace lo-fi indulgence.
Still, those who appreciate oddball ode-ing over slickness will immerse in this movie’s manic mystery easily. Genre purists too may find fantastical flourishes counterbalanced narrative lulls.
Overall, adventurers open to offbeat adventures will find much merit in The Hyperborean’s magic. But patient, flexible film fans are most optimal to embrace its eccentricities fully. With aberrant charm, Cook and Burgess craft a cult classic-in-waiting that repays multiple viewings.
A Bewitching Indie Treat
Thus ends our exploration of The Hyperborean’s woodland weirdness. Cook and Burgess craft a truly singular cinematic experience, one defying description’s boundaries.
Their offbeat execution inspires endless debate—both plot points confounding logic and style challenging tradition. Yet passion for their passionately peculiar pursuit remains undisputed. Through madness alone do we grasp Burgess’ singular genius.
Not all will sync with its surreal spirit. But open-minded adventurers will find forests filled with playful pleasures, from performances poundingly perfect to visuals vibrantly vivid.
Characters so vibrantly vivid invite revisits to rediscover nuances missed before. Every return unveils another eureka of eccentricity.
For independent cinema, The Hyperborean fills its outlandish niche triumphantly. Festooned with heart where others hunt shocks, it reminds studios need not monopolize magic. Original odysseys oft originate elsewhere, where rules remain suggestions, not shackles, for imagination.
Does it cohere as Cook and Burgess envisioned? Perhaps, perhaps not—does it matter when merriment moved us so? On balance, The Hyperborean bewitches with its lo-fi love letter to misfits, monsters, and the obscure corners of our minds they roam. Therein lies its highest praise.
Voyage into the woods, gentle viewer, but do bring an open soul and sense of wonder. Reward there certainly awaits those receptive to this rare indie treat’s charms.
The Review
The Hyperborean
With its offbeat amalgamation of drama, mystery, and supernatural thrills, The Hyperborean stands out as one of the most singularly bizarre independent films in recent memory. While its unconventional narrative may confound more straight-laced viewers, those with a passion for unique cinematic experiences should find much to appreciate in director Jesse Cook and writer Tony Burgess' unabashedly strange vision, brought to vivid life by a phenomenal cast. Though light on budget, it proves big-hearted and big-brained in its idiosyncratic blending of humor, heart, and scares. For fans of creatively courageous genre-blending, this darkly delightful trip into Canada's enchanted woods earns a most enthusiastic recommendation.
PROS
- Highly original and unconventional genre blend
- Eccentric yet charming characters and performances
- Intricate lore and mythology woven into narrative
- Clever visuals and editing for fantastical elements
- Evocative setting and commitment to offbeat vision
CONS
- Abrupt narrative jumps take some following.
- Low budget limits scope of certain elements
- Bizarre plot points challenge logic at times
- Won't appease those seeking straightforward stories
- Style may overwhelm some seeking mainstream forms.
