VR, True Crime, and Serial Killers Collide in Quadrant | Five Minute Film Freak Review

Jack The Ripper is the original True Crime superstar, VR is a gaming juggernaut and sex always sells. For these reasons and more it seems that Quadrant, the new horror sci-fi thriller from Charles Band’s Pulp Noir production label is a timely tale of murderous tendencies and crimson soaked tender flesh.

For those who did not grow up in the video rental store era, it’s hard to describe how omnipresent Charles Band’s output through Empire International Pictures was on the shelves in the 80’s. He produced and distributed horror films like Re-Animator, Dolls, Ghoulies II and Sorority Babes In The Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama. Those are just to name a few. But Band was just getting started.

Charles Band’s Legacy of Cult Horror

By the time the 90’s rolled around, his Full Moon Entertainment company was producing long running cult classic direct to video series like Puppet Master and Trancers. Charles Band’s post 2000 output has resulted in endless sequels to The Gingerdead Man, Killjoy and Evil Bong movies. This further proves that he had the magic touch for genre gore and more.

It should be no surprise then that Charles Band would be looking to add yet another name to his long list of production companies with Pulp Noir, a label “focusing on edgier, weirder, darker horror and dark fantasy films”.. It’s not quite A-24, more like B-23. But there is a reason to celebrate as Quadrant marks the 400th film production for this prolific and relentless filmmaker.

A Tale of VR Gone Wrong in Quadrant

The film finds a young woman named Erin (Shannon Helene Barnes) volunteering for a study being run by two scientists named Meg (Emma Reinagel) and Harry (Rickart Claeson) who are using a VR software which pulls from the mind of the user to create realistic encounters. While one subject, Robert (Christian Carrigan) has been using the Quadrant VR as a kind of therapy, Erin uses it to indulge in violent fantasies wherein she takes on the role of Jack The Ripper. Soon the line between reality and virtual fantasy are washed away in a sea of blood and a dangerous evil is unleashed upon the world.

Low Budget, High Impact

Quadrant is a low budget affair, but it makes good use of its minimal cast and sets. If there’s one thing Charles Band knows how to do, it’s stretch a genre movie budget to its limit. As a result, Quadrant is a bloody, sexy and violent experience. It has some interesting ideas about the potential and danger of VR as a tool for exploring the human mind.

Shannon Barnes presents a fascinating character in Erin, who appears to be the girl next door with an edge. However that edge gets ever sharper and more jagged as she is allowed to indulge. She lives out her dark fantasies in the VR realm of Quadrant. Erin is obsessed with learning more about the infamous serial killer. Jack the Ripper terrorized sex workers in London during the late 1800’s. Her own homicidal impulses are amplified each time she puts on the headset, going well beyond academic.

Solid Performances and Intriguing Characters

Barnes recalls Mary Elizabeth Winstead in appearance. She has much more of a Glenn Close edge as she vacillates believable between unlikely seductress and murderous psychopath. Whether she is unknowingly luring young street women into her abode for deadly makeup sessions or manipulating her fellow Quadrant user Robert into helping her find new victims, Erin’s entertaining menace is always on display.

The only unfortunate part of the process is when Erin finds herself literally transforming into a Jack The Ripper costume. Piece-by-piece she dons the steampunk top hat, opera cloak, a 5 o’clock shadow over her sweater, mini-skirt and fishnet stockings. It’s a distractingly bad look, which often takes the viewer out of the otherwise engaging storyline. The same criticism can be given the the obviously green-screened VR sequences with backgrounds and horrific creatures that look to have been created with AI technology.

A Nod to Horror Classics in Quadrant

Quadrant is definitely reaching for a bit of A Nightmare On Elm Street vibe. Erin plays the Freddy Krueger role, especially when she gains control over the Quadrant software and can somehow manifest her virtual reality self into the real world to enact bloody mayhem. Perhaps there is also a bit of early 90’s sci-fi slasher Brainscan in the mix as well. Viewers will see VR gaming technology providing the encouragement for a killing spree. 

Unsettling Visual Choices and VR Effects

There is also subplot involving the scientist couple, which heavily suggests that their research is less than above board, but it’s abandoned once Erin gains her powers. This is a strange choice, since the Harry character forcibly sedates Meg during an argument, making him appear the most sinister of all in silencing a “hysterical” woman. The jarring nature of these scenes is no fault of the actors, who give solid performances, just a strange bit of storytelling.

Quadrant has Strong Performances Amid a Flawed Subplot

The film has its weaker points. Still, Band makes all the scenes in Quadrant feel cohesive and the tone never goes off the rails. Even jarring stylized black and white in scenes reminiscent of Robert Rodriguez’s Sin City, eventually fit into the film. He is a seasoned filmmaker. Band has the control of his text that allows the audience to be pulled in and entertained. He hits all the horror sweet spots. There are copious amounts of blood accompany the stabbing scenes. These are preceded by brief sexual encounters and an ominous feeling that permeates the entire story.

Having seen some truly amateur horror films, it’s refreshing to review a movie like Quadrant. It’s great to see how a veteran of low-budget genre storytelling can deliver a solid story. It’s not mind-blowing in any way. However, Quadrant provides the chills and thrills video rental store patrons always hoped the cool box art they saw on shelves would deliver.

Quadrant is now available to view on Amazon Prime, Tubi and the Full Moon Features website. Read and Watch our interview with Charles Band here.

Discuss Director, Charles Band, Quadrant, and all Five Minute Film Freak Reviews on our Movie Forum.