Throughout human history, many have asked the question, “what happens when we die?” Writer and director Quarxx (All the Gods in the Sky) provides one possible answer in his latest film, Pandemonium. This French horror film tells the story of a man who tragically is killed in a car accident. As if that isn’t hard enough to accept, he soon learns his choices in life have earned him an eternity in the underworld. Pandemonium begins as a very subdued, thought-provoking view of the afterlife. When we are first introduced to the protagonist, Nathan, he has just died in a car accident, although he doesn’t realize he’s dead. Existing in a sort of limbo where he can see the world he was once part of, but cannot interact with it, Nathan meets another man who died moments before him in the same accident. This man helps Nathan understand their current situation. When the gates of Hell appear and Nathan realizes his fate, he reluctantly enters the underworld.

After Nathan enters Hell, the film shifts into a sort of anthology format. Nathan encounters other doomed souls, and when he touches them, he sees the horrors that brought these people to such a terrible place. The different stories are all quite fascinating and even heartbreaking. While some of these people definitely ended up where they belong, others seem to have been unfairly cast out of Heaven. While each tale is gripping, tonally the various segments are all over the place. Nathan’s story is grounded, thought-provoking, and even a bit darkly comedic, while the other stories range from outrageously fantastical to truly gut-wrenching. Some audiences might find the tonal shift between stories jarring, but there’s no denying each is compelling in its own unique way. Eventually the plot returns to Nathan, taking the audience deeper into the pits of Hell before leaving the film on a somewhat abrupt and confusing note that will leave some viewers wishing for a more fleshed-out conclusion.

A definitive highlight of Pandemonium is the performances. Hugo Dillon (The Sisters Brothers, AKA) stars as Nathan. Nathan seems like a nice enough guy, which makes watching his descent all the more tragic and enthralling to watch. Dillon makes the character seem endearing enough, yet as the layers peel back, the audience learns Nathan might not be the stand-up guy he appears to be. Arben Bajraktaraj (Taken, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Part 1) plays the other man who perished in the crash, Daniel. Similarly to Dillon’s performance, Bajraktaraj plays Daniel in a way that makes the character likable and even funny at times. The two play off of each other quite well, making the audience question if either man deserves the afterlife they are given. Arguably, the most breathtaking performance comes from Ophélia Kolb (And Yet We Are All Blind) as Julia, a grieving mother who struggles to cope with her daughter’s death. While her story is brief, she certainly leaves a lasting impression.

Throughout the stories of Pandemonium the visuals remain relatively simplistic, yet quite striking. When Nathan is in limbo before entering Hell, he’s still in the real world, yet it has a hazy, ethereal look that hints at his death. When the realization hits, Nathan and Daniel are presented with two doors that appear in the middle of the secluded road. While still quite understated in their design, audiences will immediately recognize which doorway leads to Hell and which leads to Heaven. Even after entering Hell, there’s no fire and brimstone or numerous demons as viewers might expect. Quarxx wisely took a more grounded approach that still looks beautiful and frightening, while likely being cognizant of budgetary constraints. Throughout Nathan’s story, as well as the other segments, audiences will likely appreciate the reliance on practical effects and makeup to create some of the more shocking scenes. The visuals for each segment can seem tonally as different from one another as the plots, yet there is a cohesion in the practical approach to bringing each story to life.

Pandemonium is a haunting take on the afterlife that calls into question what sins truly deserve eternal damnation. Quarxx has a unique vision that is brilliantly brought to life on screen. While the differing styles of each story and abrupt ending might alienate some viewers, there is still a lot to enjoy about the film. The various plots are gripping, the performances are superb, and the visuals have an understated beauty that only adds to the horrors. Pandemonium is sure to bring up some very interesting conversations. You can watch this ARROW exclusive release now on VOD.

OVERALL RATING: 7.5/10