I am seldom at a loss for words both within my career and in my film reviews. After screening Symbolicus Vol. 2, I suddenly feel myself asking…What.Did.I.Just.Watch?

You’ll probably ask “Do I need to see Volume 1 before Volume 2?” And the answer is - it makes no difference as I was unaware this was a sequel. So I went into Volume 2, without having experienced Volume 1 beforehand. And unlike well know movie series such as Halloween, Scream or A Nightmare on Elm Street, you will not have to see the first to appreciate the second.

In the case of Symbolicus, I’m not sure appreciation is the correct word to use. Perplexed, uncomfortable and agonizing would be a better overall description of this hodge podge into a seedy world of convoluted chaos for immortal salvation. 

It opens with a mentally disturbed individual who hides behind an unsettling voice over and a graffitied mask, about to sacrifice himself because…well…I’m unsure why to be honest! The slitting of the wrists followed by a very unconvincing hanging led me to laughter, as I expected a more violent death than was promised. 

Skip over to a deeper existential dive within a lonely place on this planet where time is contemplated, and memories stand still. A wall of skulls, harsh recollections of mankind and moving stills before small kids stab a man to watch him bleed out are all meaningful. Just not to me. 

Although many scenes were beautifully shot, the poor acting and strangeness in many “stories” just left me with a perception that many sections were pulled together like basement footage created on a teen’s iPhone. The lunacy of ‘Creepy Bob’ and his atrociously disfigured face was completely sophomoric. This cult-like looming presence never came to fruition. And let’s not forget the Trump-mask wearing torturer, which was not only comical, it was unnecessary. I was unsure which character was worse – him, or the absurd woman tied up and spewing stupidity as if she was bored with his weak antics.

Rather than try to understand this low budget film, I’ll just accept the low acting ability/zero plot and call it a strange 90-min mess.