What is the cut-off for historical
costume drama? The Disco Exorcist
wears all the trappings to reenact a Seventies drive-in movie, from
the Grindhouse-style
effects that “damage the print” to the clothes, pacing, and
score. The hair (especially lead Michael Reed's wig) is never quite
right, and the stage blood is of too recent a vintage, but a lot of
love went into capturing the style. There are exceptions, but the
naked girls snorting coke with our “dashing” stud of a
protagonist, Rex Romanski, can be forgiven their blue and pink hair. 
The
jokes are pretty painful, usually in the style of “hey this is a
Seventies spoof, remember Quaaludes? Do a bump!” When lothario Rex
(Reed) meets Rita (Ruth Sullivan) at the disco, it's supposed to be
understood that this is just a one night stand, free-love-style.
(Rita even overhears her own trio of “witches” warning not to get
involved, so really only has herself to blame.) So when he throws her
over for Porn Star Amoreena Jones (Sarah Nicklin) the very next
night, Rita overreacts, pitching a fit worthy of Carrie at
the prom, and makes with the cursin'. While Amoreena recruits Rex
build the porn and nose candy-fueled relationship of their dreams,
Rita decides to snatch some porn souls, raise the dead, and massacre
an orgy.
Director
Richard Griffin has made several light and entertaining
horror-comedies, including Splatter Disco
(complete with a musical number), and here displays a deft,
crowd-pleasing touch. Disco Exorcist
has a pretty full plate of nudity, silly sex, and comic relief
characters. It feels like a high-concept, spoof-trailer made for
Youtube that somehow got bankrolled into a full feature, but also a
labor of love. Vulgar, over the top and trying too hard at times,
this is a Saturday night exploitation lovers' delight that'll leave a
smile on your face. I, for one, will definitely be seeking out more
of Griffin's work.
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