Pop Skull
Pop Skull is a 2007 American horror film directed by Adam Wingard.
| Pop Skull | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Adam Wingard |
| Produced by | Lane Hughes E. L. Katz Peter Katz Adam Wingard |
| Written by | Lane Hughes E. L. Katz Adam Wingard |
| Music by | Justin Leigh Kyle McKinnon |
| Cinematography | Adam Wingard |
| Edited by | Adam Wingard |
| Distributed by | HALO 8 Entertainment |
Release date |
|
Running time | 86 minutes |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $2,000[1] |
In 2003, filmmaker Adam Wingard approached Mexican American actor Lane Hughes with the idea of doing a semi-autobiographical film about a recent breakup. They conceived the film as "one-part psychedelic, one-part horror and one-part romance" and made it for $2,000.00.[1]
Premise
The film depicts the lonely and disjointed life of Daniel, a young Alabama pill addict, as his efforts to cope with the trials of his day-to-day life collide with the increasing influence of murderous and displaced spirits that inhabit his home.
Cast
- Brandon Carroll as Jeff
- Jeff Dylan Graham as Matt Tepper
- Maggie Henry as Natalie
- Hannah Hughes as Morgan
- Lane Hughes as Daniel
- L.C. Holt as Victor
- E. L. Katz as Eddie
- Jennifer Price as Mom
- Benjamin Riley (as Ben Schmitt) as Himself (Commercial Guy)
- Debbie Stefanov as Abby
- Adam Wingard as Raymond
Release
Pop Skull screened at several major film festivals, including the American Film Institute and the Rome Film Festival.[2] It won the jury award at the Boston Underground Film Festival and the Grand Jury Prize at the Indianapolis International Film Festival.
| Region | Release date | Festival |
|---|---|---|
| Italy | October 7, 2007 | Rome Film Festival |
| Italy | October 18, 2007 | Rome Film Fest |
| United States | November 2, 2007 | American Film Institute[1][3] |
| New Zealand | July 21, 2008 | New Zealand International Film Festivals[4] |
Critical response
Reviews were generally enthusiastic. LA Splash said Hughes gave "a truly magnetic Manson vibe the entire time, allowing director Adam Wingard to make great use of the extreme close-up". The Grudge screenwriter Stephen Susco remarked that it was "unlike any horror film you've ever seen - or will ever see..." Variety called the movie "powerful" and suggested it created "a new genre: acid horror."[5]
References
- Wildman, John (2007-11-01). "10 BURNING QUESTIONS with ADAM WINGARD (POP SKULL)". American Film Institute. Retrieved 2011-09-18.
- Palmer, Danielle Komis (2008-02-02). "Pop Skull: Hartselle man goes from working at Movie Gallery to starring in a horror movie". The Decatur Daily. Retrieved 2011-09-18.
- "NEWS RELEASE - AFI FEST 2007 PRESENTED BY AUDI ANNOUNCES COMPLETE FESTIVAL LINEUP" (PDF). American Film Institute. 2007-10-08. Retrieved 2011-09-24.
- "Film » Adam Wingard on Pop Skull". The Lumière Reader. 2009-07-22. Archived from the original on 2011-09-29. Retrieved 2011-09-23.
- "Pop Skull". Variety. 2007.