Chris Marrs Piliero isn't a household name, but he has been a busy bee in a career that spans two decades. Known for directing music videos for such diverse artists as Ashley Tisdale, Taking Back Sunday, Eric Turner, and The Black Keys, he's made his feature film debut with last year's Fantastic Fest breakout APPOFENIACS. The film stars Aaron Holliday (FACES OF DEATH, NICKELS), Jermaine Fowler (NIGHT PATROL, RICKY STANICKY), and Sean Gunn (GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, THE SUICIDE SQUAD) and features interconnected stories that end in absurd, bloody violence.
"The use of AI technology reaches its most violent and bloody conclusion after a series of deepfake videos are unleashed into the world."
While this might sound like a cautionary tale illustrating our worst fears of AI technology, it's really just an excuse to showcase zany, absurd violence perpetuated by zany, absurd characters. Almost every character introduced meets a grisly end, with much of the early dispatchings occurring by accident or circumstance. While watching the film a second time I was more reminded of VERY BAD THINGS than the interconnected narrative of PULP FICTION.
APPOFENIACS plays out like T.S. Eliot's "The Hollow Men" in reverse: it begins with a whimper and ends with a bang. If you like your violence unexpected, over the top, and splashed on the screen, this film is for you. I personally think the AI angle is more of a MacGuffin than a parable, but the movie is enjoyable thanks to its flashy characters and even flashier sequences of horror. Be advised, however: this is not a horror film. While not for the squeamish, it fits more snugly into the black comedy genre.
I had the opportunity to speak with star Sean Gunn, who plays Clinto Binto, a high-end cosplay weapons maker in the film. We discussed his attraction to the material as well as his work as a motion-capture performer. I was also able to speak with writer/director Chris Marrs Piliero about the film, some of the choices made therein, and the challenges of making a low budget film look as spectacular as possible. Make no mistake: this picture is gorgeous and worth watching if you're in the market for petty violence.
APPOFENIACS hits theaters Friday, October 2nd, 2026!
Until next time, take care of yourselves.
-McEric, aka Eric McClanahan-
