George Romero Diverges From Zombies for a Brutal 2000 Thriller

George A. Romero had a diverse and extensive career, starting with his iconic directorial debut that revolutionized the horror genre. While he is most recognized for his zombie movies, Romero also delved into other captivating and unique projects, such as The Crazies, Knightriders, and Martin. Although often overlooked, Bruiser, released in the early 2000s, deserves a closer look. This era in horror cinema had distinct techniques and tones that quickly became outdated, with trailers from the Y2K period reflecting an aggressive and jarring editing style that is rarely seen in modern films. Bruiser, in particular, emanates a profound sense of anger, which is evident in every aspect of its production.

What is Bruiser about?

Henry Creedlow, a successful creative director at a thriving magazine, finds no joy in his wealth. His wife, Janine, is demanding, high-strung, and completely indifferent towards him, leaving him feeling used and neglected. Henry's work environment includes his sleazy and demeaning boss, Milo, as well as his best friend, Jimmy. Frustrated with his circumstances, Henry daydreams about harming not only his wife and boss, but also strangers who inconvenience him. At a party hosted by Milo, Henry's wife, Rosie, presents him with a featureless white mask and asks him to decorate it. However, he chooses to leave it empty. That very night, he catches his wife becoming intimate with his boss. Desiring a confrontation, he is instead criticized by Janine for being submissive. The next morning, he awakens to find himself faceless.

Henry, with a white, featureless mask permanently fused to his skin, experiences excruciating pain when attempting to remove it. Overwhelmed by fear and disgust at his altered appearance, he retreats from his maid, who he catches pilfering his belongings. Consumed by rage, he mercilessly bludgeons her to death with the bag containing his prized possessions. To his astonishment, Henry realizes that his disfigured visage grants him unexpected strength and power. Driven by a burning desire for retribution, he embarks on a relentless quest to seek out and punish those who have wronged him, unleashing horrifying acts of violence. Henry vows to indulge in his darkest fantasies, leaving his once-beloved ones to bear the brunt of his wrath. This revenge-driven narrative deviates from the traditional portrayal of betrayal, exchanging it for a multitude of degrading transgressions inflicted upon Henry. Brace yourself for a profoundly furious and unapologetically vicious film.

Bruiser is available to stream free on Plex

What is Bruiser's Rotten Tomatoes score?

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes scored Bruiser with a 67% positive rating, based on feedback from only nine professionals. Among them, only one shared their opinion in the year of its release. On the other hand, audience reviews were less favorable but much more plentiful. Over 2,500 individuals granted Bruiser a 32% positive score. The critics' average rating was six out of ten, while audience ratings averaged at 2.8 out of 5 stars. Walter Chaw, writing for Film Freak Central, awarded Bruiser three out of four stars and described it as a fairy tale worth telling for Romero. Chaw noted that even in its minor shortcomings, the film highlights the lack of significance and heart in today's lifeless imitations.

How does Bruiser end?

Henry witnesses Janine and Milo engaging in a sexual encounter in his office. Upon discovering this betrayal, Rosie confronts Henry and vows to seek vengeance. Taking advantage of Milo's absence, Henry attacks his unfaithful wife, strangling her with an extension cord and pushing her out of a window to her death. To avoid suspicion, Henry evades the police and stages his own suicide. Subsequently, Henry confronts his best friend Jimmy, who has been embezzling money from his bank accounts. Jimmy reveals that Janine coerced him into the theft and also engaged in a sexual relationship with him. In a tense confrontation, Jimmy pulls out a gun, leading Henry to shoot him in self-defense, resulting in a fatal wound. Seeking solace, Henry calls into a radio show and decides that his retribution will only end once he has killed all those who betrayed him. Disguised as Zorro, Henry attends Milo's Halloween party, where he kills him using a laser while he is suspended from the ceiling. Rosie assumes the blame for the murder, allowing Henry to escape with his original face intact. Years later, Henry takes on a new office job in a different city and encounters a boss who displays aggressive behavior towards employees. When the boss targets Henry, he reveals his face, which has returned to its blank state.

Despite its flaws, Bruiser is an incredibly intense and disturbing film that embodies the boldness and shock value typical of movies from that era. It deliberately avoids portraying Henry as a hero, and yet the satisfaction derived from witnessing his gruesome acts is tainted with shame. The visual imagery in the film surpasses its ability to convey any profound message. While Bruiser may not stand out among George A. Romero's remarkable filmography, it possesses a haunting quality that sets it apart from his other works. As a peculiar addition to Romero's repertoire, Bruiser is a film worth seeking out.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I have mixed feelings about George Romero's 2000 thriller, "Bruiser." On the one hand, I appreciate the film's raw and unflinching portrayal of violence and revenge. The film does not shy away from showing the brutal reality of Henry's actions, and it is clear that Romero has a deep understanding of the dark side of human nature. The film's exploration of themes such as betrayal, rage, and retribution is also compelling, and it is easy to see why the film has gained a cult following over the years.

On the other hand, I found the film's characters to be somewhat one-dimensional and lacking in depth. Henry, in particular, is a fairly flat character, and it is difficult to fully connect with him or his motivations. Additionally, the film's pacing can be slow at times, and the ending feels somewhat anticlimactic. Overall, I found "Bruiser" to be a well-made and thought-provoking film, but it is not one that I would necessarily recommend to everyone.