Tusk (2014), directed by Kevin Smith, is a strange and dark horror-comedy that blends body horror with absurdity. It’s a highly polarizing film, with a plot that defies conventional expectations and leans heavily into bizarre territory.

Plot Summary:

The film follows Wallace Bryton (Justin Long), a podcaster who travels to Canada to interview an eccentric man named Howard Howe (Michael Parks). Howe has a disturbing obsession with walruses, and after drugging Wallace, he begins a horrifying transformation process, surgically altering him into a human-walrus hybrid. As Wallace’s friends, Ally (Genesis Rodriguez) and Teddy (Haley Joel Osment), try to find him, they encounter an odd detective named Guy Lapointe (Johnny Depp), who has his own bizarre connection to Howe.

Strengths:

• Michael Parks’ Performance: Parks delivers a chilling and captivating performance as Howard Howe. His monologues, full of strange, menacing charm, drive the film’s twisted atmosphere. His portrayal is a standout, balancing menace with an almost tragic obsession.

• Unique Concept: The premise of Tusk is utterly bizarre, and its willingness to embrace absurdity sets it apart from typical horror films. Kevin Smith explores themes of identity, cruelty, and transformation in an unsettlingly dark way. The movie feels original, though extremely niche in appeal.
• Blending Horror and Comedy: The film’s absurdist tone and grotesque body horror make for a unique blend of horror and comedy. Some of the dark humor lands, particularly in how over-the-top and grotesque the scenario becomes.
• Atmosphere and Practical Effects: The practical effects used to create the walrus transformation are gruesome and unsettling, amplifying the disturbing body horror elements. The film creates an eerie atmosphere as Wallace’s helplessness unfolds.

Weaknesses:

• Absurdity May Alienate Viewers: The movie’s premise is so bizarre that it can feel more like a joke stretched too far. The idea of turning a man into a walrus is so absurd that it may not resonate with viewers expecting traditional horror. This oddball tone may leave some viewers more bewildered than entertained.
• Inconsistent Tone: Tusk struggles to balance its tone. At times, it swings wildly between genuine horror and dark comedy, which can be jarring. While the film plays with absurdity, it occasionally feels unsure of whether it wants to horrify or amuse, leading to tonal inconsistencies.
• Pacing Issues: The film’s pacing drags in parts, particularly when it shifts focus away from the central horror to Wallace’s friends and the subplot involving Guy Lapointe, played by Johnny Depp. Lapointe’s character, while quirky, slows the film’s momentum with lengthy, offbeat scenes that feel disconnected from the core plot.
• Niche Appeal: Tusk is not for everyone. Its blend of grotesque body horror, absurd humor, and surreal storytelling makes it more of a cult film than mainstream horror. Many viewers may find it too weird or unsettling to fully enjoy.

Conclusion:

Tusk is a highly unconventional horror film that will likely appeal to a niche audience who appreciate strange, offbeat cinema. Its bizarre premise and grotesque transformation scenes make it memorable, but its uneven tone and absurdity may alienate viewers who aren’t on board with its dark humor. For fans of Kevin Smith’s unique style and those who appreciate cult horror, Tusk stands out as an odd, unsettling experience—but it’s certainly not for everyone.