Head Trauma (2006) User Reviews

Imaginative, Spectral Thriller

[jet66 · 6/10 · 31 December 2012]

George is a troubled homeless man, returning home after 20 years. And to an empty house trashed by squatters and host to terrifying visions of violence. On a seemingly Sisyphean quest to clean up the house and earn it a reprieve from municipal demolition, George is more effective at uncluttering an old mystery.

Head Trauma is a great indie with plenty of moodiness. The alcoholic loner, George Walker could have been rendered with repellent creepiness; yet Vince Mola is superb at playing him as a sympathetic victim of horrific circumstance. The rest of the performances range with varying success.

Unfortunately - as is true of so many low-budget movies - sound design replaces any music, and it's mixed to push the visual scares. At the same time, one strains to hear the dialogue, which could have been recorded through a box of Kleenex.

The bleak cinematography is well-shot, though the visions are over-tweaked with After Effects. But no matter how much effort was put into the visual editing, we are still missing considerable back-story. And that's a serious omission given the ending.

All in all, it's worth a watch.

The Horror of Going Home

[gavin6942 · 6/10 · 28 February 2014]

After a twenty year absence, drifter George Walker (Vince Mola) returns home to settle his grandmother's estate. As if awakening from a long dream, he finds his childhood home condemned and littered with the remnants of squatters.

Rue Morgue named this the best indie feature of 2006, and it received generally positive reviews. "This effective, atmospheric chiller seeps into your fear center like damp rot," says Colin Covert of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Oddly, the critics are contrasted by viewers, who largely called the film "boring".

Despite being a short film, I can understand why some see it as boring. This is the classic "slow burn", and it is admittedly very light on the horror. Aside from a few visions, the most traumatic thing that happens is a man returning to his home town and realizing how much everyone annoys him.

While not a bad film, it probably falls more into the drama category than the horror category, so I would not recommend it for anyone who wants the blood and guts.

This was more disappointing than an unsalted pretzel.

[msterspck · 1/10 · 17 September 2022]

This was a bad movie. Not a "so bad it's good" movie either.

It was one of the worst movies I've ever seen. You keep waiting for a point to the story, but there is none. Plus, the acting is AWFUL. To say the frumpy lead actor was "wooden" would be an insult to the forest. The dialog might have been okey if perfomed with any kind of talent.

If I were stuck on a desert island for ten years with nothing to do for entertainment and suddenly came upon a tv with this movie playing I'd keep on walking.

I think high school video class students could do better. Seriously. Just don't bother with this film.

Good movie! One scene made me and my buddy jump!

[reeves2002 · 7/10 · 3 October 2007]

I saw this DVD on the shelf and noticed it right away.It has a really cool and catchy cover with amazing artwork on the cover. I knew nothing about this movie but the place I rented it at specializes in indie and harder to find titles. I got into it right away and liked the simplicity of it and the dark,spooky score in some areas of it.I read that some people understood it and even said it had an ending that made sense.I am a little confused because in one of the interviews (on the special features section) it said it was a true story.I'm not sure if it really was or if that was just added for effect. It was a bit confusing in some parts.I wasn't sure if he was dreaming in some scenes since he was in 2 places at one time, and when did the head trauma happen? Did it happen after he was pushed by the black guy out of the house when he hit his head,or when he was in the car crash? I guess I will have to watch it again. The scene where George Walker is having a dream within a dream was filmed perfectly and it made me jump out of my chair! Also the explosion scene was awesome! I would like to see more good movies by Lance Weiler.

this movie stars David Cross

[tooland2 · 4 January 2007]

i watched the entire thing and thought it was pretty lousy. it was a decent effort for a student film or low budget or whatever, and it certainly does look creepy from the box, that is why i watched it. it basically had no real story, because the story it had was obvious even from the back of the box. at the very least and absolute basic assumption, the "hooded figure" is a projection of himself *SPOILER* which is exactly what it is. so yea, no big surprise there. the whole thing is like a children's version of the Machinist or something. however in the movie's defense i did kinda dig that acoustic tune they played throughout, the mood is kinda spooky, and i did admire some of the more elaborate shots like him running through the cemetery, the tent getting closer to the hooded figure, and the overhead shots. those were pretty rad for a low budget film. i also really appreciated the fact that since they couldn't afford David cross to star in this film, they just got a guy who looks just like him. however, this movie is best watched pretending that it is indeed David cross being chased by ghosts.

Dread Trauma

[screwface-1 · 3/10 · 30 December 2008]

About 5 mins into this movie I dreaded any further interaction between the two main characters. The dialog was plausible and believable but the acting was akin to watching gazelles being chased down and ripped to shreds by lions. Yes, you continue to watch, but yet part of you feels guilt and remorse for doing so.

When the actor that is the most believable as their character is a city buildings inspector (No spoiler there-it's known from the get-go) that is only a bit-part (famous actors refer to them as cameos!) you know someone in casting is keenly familiar with the term 'Head Trauma'.

Good to kill some time but only if you want to sit around by yourself and not have to wait for your friends to deride you for suggesting to give this movie a try.

Giving this movie anything above a 3-5 is misguided generosity.

good indie

[PaulyC · 7/10 · 11 March 2008]

George Walker is moving into his grandmother's old house. While fixing it up he suffers a head trauma which causes him to have weird dreams and visions. These weird visions are actually a link to his past. In the wrong hands this story could come out just plain silly but director Lance Weiler does a good job with his low budget. I liked the look and feel of the movie and there were some pretty scary moments. The acting was even decent especially from Mary Monahan who plays Mary, a love interest of George's who doesn't quite have the same feeling for him. The interactions between George and her are actually realistically written and well acted. There are even some well done special effects that these low budget movies usually stay away from. I'd be curious to see what new projects this director is working on. Over all this is good stuff!

Creepy... Worth a Viewing

[terrible2 · 7/10 · 30 October 2008]

Nicely done indie from out of left field. I wasn't sure what I was watching at first, was it supposed to be horror? Drama? Thriller? It begins a bit on the slow side, but quickly starts to set a nice pace and pulls you into the story. Quite different looking visually by independent film standards, it is presented as a dismal existence for the main character "George", who is played wonderfully by actor Vince Mola. I found his acting refreshing and quite believable, as he is not your typical leading man, but rather a portrait of a 30 something slacker set against a horrifying reality. Jamil Mangan and Mary Monahan are equally convincing in their supporting roles and help the story unfold in a believable fashion. Director Lance Weiler seems to have a knack for only showing the viewer as much as needed at any given moment, then turning on all cylinders and pushing forth the horror. Very much in the same realm as "Stir of Echos", "Head Trauma" is a well crafted ghost story that delivers the scares on an ever changing plate of circumstances.

Well-done Low Budget Indie Spooker

[cchase · 8/10 · 9 October 2006]

Director Lance Weiler and his co-writer, Brian Majeska, obviously love ghost stories. And it shows in their movie HEAD TRAUMA, because you can spot all the scenes from other popular creepy ghost stories like THE CHANGELING, THE GRUDGE, THE RING and even...GHOST STORY. But the difference between TRAUMA and any other shoestring-budgeted effort that would simply rip off those other films, is that Weiler has a strong visual sense, and a clear vision of how to tell the story in a way that makes perfect sense. He also fortunately has a pretty darn good cast to get the audience involved.

Homeless drifter George Walker (Vince Mola) finally returns to his late grandmother's house, once he learns that it has been condemned and will soon succumb to the wrecking ball. A not-too-friendly meeting takes place between George and Julian (Jamil A.C. Mangan), resulting in a bad fall for George in which he sustains the titular injury. Julian is then volunteered to help with cleaning the house by his grandmother, Ms. Thompson, (Meryl Lynn Brown), the former next-door neighbor to George's grandmother.

But what is already a difficult task is about to get a lot harder, as George, who is now staying in the house, begins to experience some pretty vivid nightmares. Haunted by visions of a sinister hooded figure, the hanging body of a dead girl and a fiery car crash, George is beginning to question his own sanity. Has something terrible happened in the house since his grandmother's death? Is someone trying to send him a message from beyond the grave? Is it the work of an antagonistic neighbor who wants to see the house destroyed? Or is George really losing his mind? HEAD TRAUMA draws you in and challenges you to answer these questions as George tries to, leading up to an ending that may either satisfy your curiosity, or present more questions to be answered, depending on your point of view.

In any case, it's a very strong effort from Weiler, and one I would definitely recommend for lovers of good, ghostly mysteries with a twist.

Visually Haunting

[realalien-2 · 7/10 · 28 May 2010]

Really enjoyed this film. I know it's a low budget horror film but it's one of the best I've seen in a while. Good acting, music, editing, photography and directing. There are a few scenes that the acting wasn't as strong as the rest of the film but they are short and the rest of the film makes up for it. The story is engaging for the 84 minutes. I found some of the scenes very creepy and well crafted. The ending was a surprise and I didn't see it coming but it was a nice twist. I wonder when we are going to see the director , directing bigger budget films? Hopefully soon. Gets me excited to make another film.

A horror movie that makes sense?? Madness!

[luvcraft · 9/10 · 27 August 2006]

Head Trauma is about a man who suffers a head trauma while cleaning out his grandmother's condemned house, which results in bizarre nightmares that begin to bleed over into the waking world.

Very well-written, well-directed, and ties things up perfectly at the end. It has some thematic elements similar to the recent invasion of Japanese horror movies (in particular, a mysterious girl with black hair whose back is always to the protagonist/camera), but whereas those have all been disappointing and seem to have just latched onto a scary image without making any effort to justify it, in Head Trauma every strange and scary image actually fits into the story, and it all makes sense in the end.

I loved it

[Billybob-Shatner · 8/10 · 27 August 2007]

I'm always on the prowl for a great undiscovered indie. So many are made, so few live up to their promise. Open Water and the Blair Witch Project, while marketable and financially successful, did not feel like professional efforts. They were not engrossing, the writing was simplistic at best, and most people I've spoken with were left unsatisfied.

Head Trauma is an example of smooth masterful direction, coupled with logical and clever writing that turns what could've been just another rushed indie effort, into something much more satisfying. I was very pleasantly surprised. On the downside, the lead actor, while satisfactory, clearly isn't a professional. At the same time, he might be just be effective enough to keep the film afloat.

The film moves at a slow deliberate pace, and managed to keep me engrossed the entire running time. Some of the scare moments are very effective, and the ending, is far more logical than any of the resent Hollywood entries to the horror genre.

Highly recommended.

Riveting low budget thriller!

[Quark25 · 10/10 · 10 November 2012]

I have to admit that for the first few minutes, I thought this was going to be yet another DV amateur clunker, but wow, was I wrong.

The story is very clever and full of twists, leaving no gaps, holes, or guessing on the part of the viewer. It's well acted and the characters are fully realized, so much so, you find yourself sympathizing with the protagonist. I would have liked a bit more exposition of George; a bit more history as to who the girl was and how he ended up where he did with her as that would have added more dimension to the character and added depth to the ending(I'm trying to avoid spoilers; you'll have to watch the movie to understand what I'm talking about), however, the story is tight enough that this is not a deal-breaker by any means.

Technically, the cinematography is first rate and plenty atmospheric, surprisingly so, and I'm no fan of DV, so that's saying something. It's well edited,and briskly paced. Sound is clear and very well mixed. The music is eerie and fits beautifully, adding a tremendous depth.

Hats off to all involved; it's amazing what they accomplished on a budget of what was reported as just over $125k. I wonder what they could have done if they had twice as much, or even ten times as much, but in the end, I can't say they really needed it as there's really no fault I can find in this film. A lot of much bigger budget producers and directors could learn a few things from watching this film.

Overall, fans of low budget supernatural thrillers will love this flick, and fans of big budget movies will be pleasantly surprised.

Beautifully made little horror film

[celr · 8/10 · 27 April 2012]

I've seen a lot of low-budget horror films and most are mediocre at best. This is the exception. First of all, it has an unusual story line, not your average vampire or monster, or mad slasher either. And though not high-tech, the effects are skillfully executed. I found it to be both scary and intriguing. Some moments were genuinely frightening.

George (Vince Mola) is suffering from a head injury and it has affected his brain. He is having scary visions. He shows up at his dead grandmother's old house which he inherited but which has been condemned by the city. George wants to fix it up and live there. The house is dilapidated and spooky enough, but George's visions are getting worse and strange things are happening at night. We don't know if he's becoming mentally ill, if he's haunted by the ghost of his dead grandmother or if he's recovering memories from his past. George doesn't know either and goes about trying to find answers in his rather disorganized, mentally compromised way.

Mola is just right for the part of the confused George. The atmosphere is perfect and I was impressed with the considerable skill with which the story unfolds. This film is definitely worth viewing on a rainy evening.

Creepy nightmarish story

[Indyrod · 8/10 · 24 September 2008]

Here's another pretty unique horror film, that you don't see much about. Here is the synopsis; After a 20 year absence, drifter, George Walker, returns home to settle his grandmother's estate. As if awakening from a long dream, he finds his childhood home condemned and littered with the remnants of squatters. In the midst of trying to save his past, George falls and strikes his head, triggering an onslaught of vivid nightmares and waking visions. As the horror intrudes on George's reality, his conviction grows that someone or something is trying to kill him.

The movie moves at a slow pace but builds up the tension very nicely, and begins to get disturbing as hell. George's nightmares and visions are indeed horrific, and until the end, it appears the story has moved into the supernatural. There is a couple of pretty good scares which add to the fun, and the movie reminded me in a strange way of "Schramn", not the story but the way the movie moves along. The good thing, is after it is all over, everything makes sense and explained in full, so you don't go away from the movie shaking your head. With a super low budget, the filmmakers used their money well, and created a memorable exercise in psychological horror. The movie came highly recommended to me, and now I recommend it too.

this is what psych-thrillers should be...

[liplander · 9/10 · 11 February 2008]

I always seem to be the film critic about horror movies. Especially nowadays. Someone like Eli Roth can make a movie like "hostel" and make a squillion dollars and have people scared out of their wits because they never thought they'd see the day someones eyeball gets cut off or arm severed, etc.

Horror seems to be focused on shock factor nowadays. What's gory and what you think you can feel by looking at it. I think it's unfortunate for one: because the mind will always be the best scare tactic, and for two: there are so much worse (gratuitous) movies out there than American forerunners "saw" and "hostel". (Check out Ichi the Killer, or read a Chuck Palahniuk novel...then say how "bad" those movies are).

Head Trauma is a subtle, well-played and paced indie psychological horror movie. Not for gore or action hounds this movie sets a great pace and lets you become familiar with the characters, finally twisting you to realize you don't know the characters at all. I do think the acting wasn't the best at points, but I also think that added to the 'oddity' of the movie. There are some "scare points" that made me jump out of my seat because I never saw them coming. Coupled with that, Head Trauma is full of nail-bitters, guess-who's, and 'DONT OPEN THE DOOR's.

I loved it and I'd recommend it to any one in the mood for a great psych. thriller. Anyone who's a fan of Session 9, Primer, any David Lynch films, or anyone in the mood for a good scary mind screw; check this movie out.

I can only imagine more experience in directing will send Lance Weiler to the top of the indie list. I wish I could thank him in person for making such a great movie. Check it out.

On a side note, I don't mean to belittle new horror movies like the "saw" or "hostel" series. I'm not a fan of them, but I do give them loads of credit in the special effects field. I just wish horror amounted to more than how real a decapitation scene looked. Head trauma gives horror films that chance.

One of the Greatest Low Budget Horrors - Ever

[Billy_Crash · 9/10 · 25 March 2012]

Screenwriter and Director Lance Weiler's film (Brian Majeska shared writing duties) is an unexpected, quality driven dramatic horror that sinks deep and doesn't let go long after the end credits roll. Using "any means necessary," Weiler delivers a solid feature of milieu and atmosphere, psychology and imagery. Without a doubt, after watching over 1,250 horrors, and many of them low budget, this is one of the very best I've ever seen.

Though some say the movie is slow, they're missing the point. Horror is not just blood, guts and action; in fact, nailing down a definition may lead to a full-blown migraine. This is a character study of George Walker, the teen who left home and came back as a man to reclaim his grandmother's residence from demolition. However, from the opening credits, George quickly learns that one can't go home again.

Vince Mola is rock solid as the tormented and slightly off protagonist whose only apparent goal is to fix up his deceased grandmother's abode and sell it. On this adventure, which spans a mere set of days, George encounters old neighbors, both good (the Thompson family) and bad (Chester Jackson), and old romantic interests (Mary Sherman). Woven throughout are George's nightmares, which seem tie in to a Christian-based "Come to Jesus" booklet and that of a missing young woman.

Throughout the film, Weiler brings us perfect lighting, the excellent cinematography of Sam Levy, great characters, surprises and enough imagery (minus the heavy-handedness of Lars Von Trier) to paint an extraordinarily vivid picture of internal strife. From aerial shots, thanks to an ultra-light pilot who accepted a case of beer and gas money, to the wonderful visual effects of Scott Hale and Andy Williams, to the perfect score by Brian McTear and Amy Morrissey, this is one of the most well constructed narratives I've seen in some time.

As for story, though seemingly simple and oft heard, there is far more to it than that. The tale intrigues and even in the end, one can argue and discuss about several points. And no, this does not mean the story leaves the audience hanging, yet there is no perfect bow on the package either, just like real life. Whether intentional or not, Weiler and Majeska have created a story that walks the fine line between a boring and blatant American ending where everything is explained to the obscure endings of Europe that usually leave Americans scratching their heads. This well-crafted finish should satisfy the cinematic needs of both groups.

Also known for the gripping THE LAST BROADCAST, Weiler continues to create solid features. I only hope someone with deep pockets will sponsor his future full-length projects so we can enjoy more of his dramatic stories of absorbing atmosphere and character.

Head Trauma: Nominate this film for awards, people!

[Commercial_2012 · 10/10 · 25 November 2012]

To not duplicate any of the excellent comments made about this film let me just say that the acting is authentic - you cannot tell that the actors are acting! The screenplay not only keeps you on the edge of your seat, but what is said is so real that either someone unloaded their conscience on a passerby who happened to be a writer or hmmmm... is Vince really acting? What a pleasure it is to watch a movie that isn't filled with nauseating pandering to the lowest common denominator of T&A, gore and body functions "humor." What an excellent job folks! This film's poignant plot reminds me of the 1930s-1960s films that were NOT the product of today's writer's formula - a "change the names, places and theme" format decided by what would statistically be the greatest money-maker! This film is worth watching more than once! In fact, I plan to purchase it! Hope you enjoy it too!

Better than most big budget horror

[Grimsonia · 9/10 · 12 July 2019]

I wasn't expecting much, but what I got was a really good story that I enjoyed and characters I could relate to. Most of the horror fare is pretty damned awful. A bunch of teenagers, usually in the woods, who can't act with an awful plot and script. Someone put some time and thought and heart into this and it was appreciated.