Review for ‘‘Call of the Void’’ by J. M. Stelly

Pain, addiction, loss, PTSD, survivor's guilt & the supernatural all feature as themes in the highly original & thought-provoking medium-length film Call of the Void, by veteran director & writer J. M. Stelly. A meticulously-crafted spin on the influential films of the 1920s & 30s, albeit with its own unique identity.

The plot is deceptively simple, as we follow the descent of the Painter into madness, in part due to his abuse of opium, and in part due to his experiences in the Great War. Set in the early 20th century, the film draws both from victorian and gothic aesthetics as well as the themes, concerns and plot structure of literary giants Poe, Lovecraft and Chambers.

Conceptually, the film is a hybrid of modern and silent-era cinema, with a silent protagonist whose thoughts are relayed to the viewer through text cards, whereas the spirits and expressions of his psyche that torment him speak normally. The performances are noteworthy for the amount of emotion they convey even without dialogue or behind a mask.

An excessively low brightness and a length above the necessary are the film's only shortcomings, in addition perhaps to an overuse of some sound effects. Otherwise, J. M. Stelly's craft is excellent.

As the director states, his work isn't for everyone, and he knows it. It is rare to encounter such an unfiltered expression of artistic insipration with no holds barred. A disturbing and mentally taxing tale of a man against his own soul, Call of the Void finds itself only a few steps from delivering the epitome of existential horror in a period setting.