Horror Able (2024)


REVIEWER RATING: 
8/10

DIRECTOR:

CAST:


And now for something completely different!

Writer and director Cindy Sanabria brings a thoughtful documentary featuring filmmakers, actors, producers and artists…all who have been afflicted with a disability yet fight for their right to party. Party with the horror community, that is! Yes, this group of magnetic mightiness are sharing their voices and level of capabilities by being “Horror Able.” Very clever!

Cindy has tapped into a new space of film documentation in this genre by capturing the personal journeys of solid performers such as Richard Burgin, Albert Pyun, William Crain and Michael Berryman. We are given carte blanche to each performer’s disability which ranges from autism and seizure disorders to physical deformities and congenital problems. The scope is wide, and the catch is long, but the road ahead for them looks bright and rewarding.

Watching Down Syndrome pals, Sam and Mattie discuss their quest in making the funniest zombie film to hit the streets since Romero’s creatures wreaked havoc, was a delight to see as the spark in their eyes shimmered with excitement as they reflected back to the days on set. The project became so impressive that it warranted Peter Farrelly to join the fun by becoming an executive producer. And thus, these two impaired young men accomplished their dream - they became horror filmmakers.

Through various testimonials describing all sorts of obstacles and challenges (including one story which sadly shows extreme insensitivity from an actress who felt “awkward and uncomfortable” auditioning for a handicapped director), appears the lovable and charming Michael Berryman. Known for portraying the oddest of characters in films such as Weird Science and The Hills Have Eyes, is a very down to earth man born with cranial deformity along with a rare genetic disorder that left him without sweat glands, hair, fingernails or teeth. The obvious anomalies pigeonholed his talents into the strangest of the strange roles which he seems to embrace with gratefulness and glee. It’s an eye-opening moment to learn about the conditions that would ordinarily submerge those with special needs. However, with the purest love over pursuit of greed, these warriors have become self-sufficient and determined to achieve their dreams while setting realistic limitations that would otherwise hinder their creativity.

Horror Able shares loud and proud voices from the unjaded assembly of distinctive talent that teaches us all “nothing is impossible.” You can choose to feel sorry for the impediment card that life has dealt them. Or do as I do and just applaud the unbelievable courage it takes to accomplish these aspirations.

OVERALL: 
While the premise is light on the horror component yet heavy on cast, Horror Able still delivers through important lessons of compassion, confidence and bravery. To accept the definitive limitations while chasing your potential is certainly commendable. But convincing others is a completely different story. Although some have found comfort in monstrous physicality forms like Freddy Krueger and Phantom of the Opera, the majority continue to carry their inescapable disfigurements and barriers without shame. I believe Sanabria set out exactly to do just that – share the unbelievable with the less informed in hopes of making the horror community equalized and fair. Well done!


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