After directing the original Puppet Master in 1989, David Schmoeller was experiencing a high point in his career. In 1991, Schmoeller helmed The Arrival, his first non-Charles Band production since 1982’s The Seduction nearly killed his career. Around this time, Schmoeller was attached to numerous projects that never got made for one reason or another. He was initially supposed to direct Whispers & Shadows, a sexual thriller for Full Moon, with David Decoteau producing. Band ultimately shelved the project because it was so far removed from what Full Moon was known for. Instead, Band assigned Schmoeller to a film that Ted Nicolaou was supposed to direct before helming Subspecies. The movie was shot in New Orleans with Adolfo Bartoli as the cinematographer and Mark Shostrom handling the effects. While initially planned for a January 1992 release, David Schmoeller’s Netherworld hit video store shelves that February.
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Synopsis
After his father’s death, Corey Thorton (Michael Bendetti) inherited his estate in Louisiana, though he never really knew him. Cory meets his father’s lawyer, Beauregard Yates, Esq. (Robert Burr), and his housekeeper Mrs. Palmer (Anjanette Comer). He also runs into Mrs. Palmer’s daughter Diane (Holly Floria), who’s overly flirty with Cory despite being younger. While at the estate, Cory is drawn to a local brother run by Mary Magdalene (Alex Datcher). He’s seduced by Delores (Denise Gentile), a prostitute who practices voodoo and is part of a cult of bird people. Cory discovers that his late father, Noah (Robert Sampson), has been working with Delores to bring him back to life. However, the ritual involves removing Cory’s soul and putting his father’s soul in his body. With Diane trying to help him, will Cory overcome Delores’ seductive way, or will he end up in the Netherworld?
Review
Out of Full Moon’s early catalog, Netherworld has plenty going for it, but not all of it gels together. It’s one of the more story-driven movies from Full Moon, which is ambitious but feels unfocused. Sometimes, it’s hard to follow what’s happening, and while I enjoy a slow burn, it doesn’t build up to anything. For instance, the ghostly flying hand featured on the poster barely plays a role in the movie. Acting-wise, everyone does a fine enough job, but nobody stands out in a good or bad way. Michael Bendetti comes off as a wet blanket, and Holly Floria is the least-convincing pre-teen I’ve ever seen. Denise Gentile and Alex Datcher do their best with the material and easily give the film’s best performances. The worst performance would be Holly Butler as a Marilyn Monroe-inspired prostitute with a cheap blonde wig and ill-fitting voice.
Since this is a David Schmoeller movie, the film looks great and has excellent cinematography courtesy of Adolfo Bartoli. Mark Shostrom of From Beyond and Evil Dead II fame’s effects are solid, but they’re very minimal. Aside from one petrified corpse, the flying hand, and some creepy masks, there’s not much to see. The score, composed by Bon Jovi’s keyboard player, David Bryan, is probably the most noteworthy thing about the film. Along with some songs from Edgar Winter, the music elevates the film and adds an appropriately moody atmosphere. At under ninety minutes, parts of the film drag quite a bit, making it feel longer than it is. Full Moon completionists will undoubtedly be interested, but casual viewers will likely be bored by the end. Overall, Netherworld isn’t one of the best early Full Moon movies, but at least it’s not for lack of trying.
Buy Netherworld from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Mpe3Od.
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