Spoilers...

From the first frame to the last, I was grasped. I'm not even sure if I'd call it a horror film, but it's definitely a thriller with horrific elements. It reminds me the most of Conan the Barbarian or Army of Darkness--not horror, but bleak and morbid drama. The villains were each so specific in really creative ways (especially the LSD biker gang), and this allowed the Odyssey-style adventure that Nic Cage goes on to be truly fascinating at each stop.

I adored the visual and audio qualities of the film. Visually, everything was tinged with red and many of the shots included LSD-like tracers and colorful surroundings. I thought that this reminded us, the audience, that we were always in a version of hell, even if it were in the mind of a character.

And there was never a silent moment in the film. There was always background noise, groaning as if the Earth were shifting. Sort of like the NIN score of Quake. The score was exquisite. Also, the psychedelic folk music presented by the cult leader who got nude in front of Cage's girlfriend was recognizably decent but also not special or worthy of renown. It was perfect for the character. That's why she laughed at it

I'd never heard of this film before a few weeks ago, and now it's all I want to talk about. What do you think?