[Fantastic Fest Review] ‘VFW’ Pits Vets Versus Mutant Punks in Ferocious Throwback Siege Thriller
Hot on the heels of director Joe Begos’ most personal and accomplished feature yet, Bliss, VFW offers up a John Carpenter Assault on Precinct 13 inspired siege thriller that serves as a complement in many ways. More importantly, it’s an absolute blast. For his bloody and violent midnighter that demands to be seen on the big screen, Begos assembles a cast of veteran actors we know and love, and lets them loose to unleash hell upon unsuspecting invaders.
In the near future, a highly addictive drug called Hype has turned America into a war zone. The addicted are more mutant than human, and they’re willing to kill or be killed for another dose. Local drug lord Boz (Travis Hammer) has taken up residence in a movie theater across the street from a VFW post, a bar and gathering place for a group of friends who served in Vietnam together. Since the vets preferred vice is booze, Boz and his gang give them wide berth. That is until a young woman named Lizard (Sierra McCormick) steals Boz’s stash and seeks shelter in the VFW. Boz and his horde lay siege to the VFW, and it’s a bloody fight to the death.
Penned by Max Brallier and Matthew McArdle, VFW marks the first film for Begos that he didn’t write himself. While that means a less personal film for the director, it’s clear he was having a ball making it. Retaining much of the same crew as Bliss, including cinematographer Mike Testin and makeup effects artists John and Sierra Russell, VFW has that same stunning shot on film neon grit, with all the glorious gore. Josh Ethier’s adept editing masterfully works around budget limitations in the heavier action sequences, but he also gets to shine in front of the camera as one of Boz’s right hand men. Bliss’ not so secret weapon Dora Madison also proves yet again what a badass she is as Boz’s second in command.
The real reason to watch, though, is the ensemble cast of the VFW. Don’t Breathe’s Stephen Lang plays Fred, owner of the post and the leader of the pack. It’s for his birthday that his friends have gathered, played by fan faves William Sadler, David Patrick Kelly, George Wendt, Martin Kove, and Fred Williamson. Like Begos, this cast also appears to be having the time of their lives. With extensive credits under their belt, and many having worked together previously, there’s an easy camaraderie among them that translates well on screen. The VFW group feel like old friends, a shorthand among them that adds a major level of fun to the exploitation thrills. A cast for the ages, and each of them get a hero moment to shine, too.
Overall, VFW doesn’t present any new narrative or story we haven’t seen before. This borrows heavily from Carpenter and ‘80s siege action-thrillers. The low budget sometimes shows in the action sequences, and the central villain is a caricature. But Begos brings a ton of style, and his instinct to let this cast shine and do their thing is ultimately what makes this movie work. Practical gore, violence, an adrenaline-fueled vibe, and an insanely fun cast that brings their banter, experience, and swagger all culminate in a riotous heavy metal sensory assault you’ll want to inject into your veins.
VFW will release in theaters and on-demand in first-quarter 2020.
