The tragedy and sadness of dark comedies can vary significantly in tone. However, the genre often functions at its best when it embraces some of the most horrific ideas imaginable. Director Joel Potrykus faces these ideas with Vulcanizadora, a humorous but upsetting story of two men walking into the woods. While it borrows visuals and ideas from movies like Old Joy or Faces of Death, Vulcanizadora carves its own path. Potrykus does not pull punches, forcing the audience to sit in discomfort and horror despite slacker energy hanging over the movie.

Two buddies, Martin (Joshua Burge) and Derek (Joel Potrykus), hike into the woods. On the way, they make short videos and fight about various topics. Having already been to prison, and facing another sentence, Martin remains glum throughout the trip. However, it Potrykus reveals they entered the woods for a dangerous reason. When their actions yield horrifying results, they must live with the compounding guilt.

Potrykus builds Vulcanizadora around the friendship between his two characters, and we see their bond rather quickly. Neither appears to have many friends, but their willingness to open up to each other conveys their sentimentality. Whether intentional or not, they find solace in each other. This ultimately becomes the most tragic element of the story.

Early on, there are hints about their mission, and when their plan is revealed, Potrykus milks it for all the tension it creates. It’s not only horrific but truly features a deadening sadness that’s impossible to ignore. Potrykus contributes to this on every level, from script to screen, and it shows an incredible mastery of tone.

Perhaps the undoing of Vulcanizadora stems from its mubblecore vibes. Despite this feeling, the 16mm camera creates indelible images over its runtime. The camera helps highlight the grittiness and malaise hanging over both characters. If nothing else, the camerawork would set the mood, but in this context, it helps provide the film with a texture that’s hard to shake.

Another issue with dark comedies is that they’re rarely funny. That is not the case through the first half of Vulcanizadora, where the buddy walk section is most prevalent. The two men dive into their emotions and into their issues as the story continues, but early on, it’s very funny. There’s nuance to the friendship, and you can tell Derek needs to explain everything he’s talking about to someone, and Martin likes to feel needed. Their chemistry sells the humor and, in turn, sells the dynamic.

As Vulcanizadora progresses, it becomes Burge’s showcase. He feels emotionally stunted early on, but after an incredible sequence on a beach, Burge shifts his entire physicality and performance. The final act becomes a showcase of grief and guilt. Burge becomes a figure asking for our empathy, and most importantly, it’s hard not to fulfill his request. It’s a dynamic performance that elevates Vulcanizadora as it completes its arcs.

Last, the emotional ideas at the heart of Vulcanizadora create genuine questions about the mental health of these men. Martin is clearly so rattled by his unending guilt that happiness seems out of reach. At one point, Derek reads a letter poisoned with upsetting language and anger. The problem this creates, however, is that Potrykus does not trust the audience to make the connections about their journey.

Some moments help advance the plot, but this exposition is nowhere near as rewarding as the men’s fluid conversations. As Vulcanizadora approaches its final act, there’s a shift to the more personal aspects of the story, which ultimately benefits its conclusion. Unfortunately, some more fat needed to be trimmed.

Vulcanizadora is not an easy watch, but that’s part of the magic trick. Potrykus makes us question why anything bad could come from these men, but we are fully invested in the story by the time it does. With some gorgeous visuals thanks to the 16mm photography, Vulcanizadora touches on deep subjects and emotional struggles. Potrykus is not new in the industry, but after a relative hiatus from making features, it’ll be curious what he wants to explore next.

Alan’s Review: 7/10Watch Vulcanizadora at Fantasia Film Festival 2024. The Fantasia Film Festival runs from July 18, 2024, to August 4, 2024. You can check out reviews and pieces about the festival here. Check out our other Film Festival coverage here! The post FANTASIA 2024: VULCANIZADORA – A Dark Buddy Comedy Driven by Guilt appeared first on Sunshine State Cineplex.