Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Extra Ordinary’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

While the horror genre is one of the most popular and dynamic and fascinating genres out there, it is still quite predictable. After all, when we settle in for one of these particular tales of terror, we know exactly what we’re getting into. For there will be gore, and scares and some unpleasant themes and commentary on our modern world that will stay with us long after the story has come to a close, because nothing is more terrifying than real life. In fact, as time goes on, the genre is beginning to make a concerted effort to really examine some of the toughest parts of everyday life. Which is why we are seeing a great many scary stories, take the time to deal with aspects of the human condition that horror normally stays away from, such as the power of trauma and loss.
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Because both of those elements really do rattle and damage our psyche in ways we never thought possible, and it would seem that as modern psychology begins to understand the long term effects of trauma and loss, horror is seizing on the opportunity to really explore how these emotions can engender the worst case scenario. In part to serve as a warning to the audience, so we can deal with such matters so they never have the chance to harm us. But also to dive deep into the endless and twisted possibilities that come with the thought of losing control, and that’s led to some supremely bleak stories in recent years. But some scary storytellers out there, have discovered ways to explore this in a more lighthearted manner, one that allows for the story to fit the framework of the genre, while putting a smile on our face at the same time, and it just so happens that a recently released horror/comedy, does a phenomenal job of mixing the deep with the funny in Extra Ordinary.

Now in this particular tale we are introduced to a nice woman named Rose Dooley who lives a simple life. For she is a driving instructor in her town, and she’s kind and gentle and happy and eager to help anyone in need and well, she lives this relaxed existence because of her checkered past. Because her father was a talented medium, one that knew how to talk to the spirits that roam our world, and he taught Rose everything he knew and she has abandoned her talents because she firmly believes a mistake she made while using them, long ago, is what cost her father, his life. But despite her best efforts to escape her own abilities to communicate with spirits, she will be thrust back into the world of the paranormal when a widowed father named Martin Martin, calls upon her for help in regard to dealing with the spirit of his deceased wife, and the evil plot involving his daughter, that is quietly brewing behind the scenes. 

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So, make no mistake about it, this is a delightfully quirky film, one that is simply brilliant in its approach of examining the power of loss and trauma. Because it succinctly points out how those elements can change the course of our lives, by way Rose and Martin's desire to hide from their pain, and it also points out how difficult it is to overcome such matters, even when the stakes are high. Because both Martin and Rose do everything they can to avoid confronting what's eating at them, despite the fact that Martin's daughter's life is hanging in the balance. But while that should make for some supremely dark and dreary moments, the plot never steers away from informing the audience that things can and will get better, provided of course we face our pain and that makes this a surprisingly uplifting tale.

But there was mention earlier of this film being funny as well and truth be told, we are incorrect in calling this movie funny. Instead, the correct word to apply to this motion picture is hilarious, because the comedy present within the framework of this story is downright brilliant. In large part due to the fact that the ghost world is just as quirky and wild as the human world, making the ghosts petty and silly in ways you don’t normally see in tales that feature spirits. But the gags also work here because the story does a phenomenal job of satirizing the genre a la Shaun of the Dead and it never takes itself too seriously. Which allows for some wild moments to take place, the kind that are so off the wall and out of the blue that you’re left in stitches, and seeing this story take chances in this manner makes it quite refreshing for certain and a true treat to watch.

However, while these kinds of elements work on their own, they’re brought to a whole new level by the cast of this movie. For Maeve Higgins (Rose) and Barry Ward (Martin) bring a real sincerity to their roles, which adds gravity to everything they do in this story and of course, Will Forte steals the show here as the villainous Christian Winter. Because his comedic chops combined with some supremely dry humor in the script, make for some incredibly memorable moments and the catchiest tune involving Beelzebub this side of the Ninth Circle of Hell. Which means that this is quite frankly, a must see for fans of the genre and for those looking for something different. Because this really is a unique horror/comedy, one that is fun and honest and raw and uses humor to heal, and you simply cannot go wrong with enjoying a motion picture that works to lift your spirits with positive messages and side-splitting hilarity.  

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