Fantastic Fest 2024: The Birthday

For cinephiles willing to embrace its peculiarities, “The Birthday” offers a refreshingly original experience worthy of cult devotion.

Eugenio Mira’s The Birthday (2004) is a cinematic enigma that most definitely won’t be for everyone. However, for lovers of the wonderfully weird and mesmerizingly Lynchian, it’s a lost gem begging to be discovered.

This mischievously thrilling, darkly hilarious debut feature from visionary filmmaker Mira blends off-kilter humor, surreal storytelling, and a chaotic final act to create an experience that is both unsettling and oddly captivating.

After making its world premiere at the Sitges International Film Festival in 2004, The Birthday seemed destined for obscurity. The film never received a theatrical release beyond its initial festival circuit tour.

However, like many cult classics, it found a second life through unconventional means—in this case, a bootleg version uploaded to YouTube and an unexpected boost from an influential devotee: none other than Jordan Peele, who featured the film at a New York film festival twenty years after its debut.

Peele described the film as “a cinematic marvel that demands captivation and will never relent to your expectations. A true ‘what-the-f-did-I-just-watch’ experience. Feldman at his best.”

I doubt I can add much more to an endorsement of that caliber.

However, I can’t pass up the opportunity to gush on this cult sensation in the making that is finally poised to get the audience it deserves.

The film follows Norman Forrester (a magnetic Corey Feldman), who is set to meet his girlfriend’s family at her father’s birthday party. What begins as a night of promise quickly descends into chaos as Norman uncovers an ancient evil that might bring about the end of the world.

This simple premise serves as a springboard for a narrative that defies conventional storytelling norms.

The Birthday is a twisted carnival of emotions, where laughter is often tinged with dread. The script, co-written by Mira and Mikel Alvariño, is filled with dark, absurd humor that challenges audience expectations.

Its sharp wit and unpredictable nature lead to moments that are both laugh-out-loud funny and deeply unsettling.

The surreal elements create a Lynchian-esque black comedy that keeps viewers perpetually off-balance.

At the heart of the film is Corey Feldman’s career-defining performance as Norman Forrester.

Feldman’s endearingly awkward portrayal enhances the film’s quirky charm. He embodies the character’s neuroticism and eccentricity with remarkable skill, drawing viewers into Norman’s chaotic world.

Feldman’s ability to balance comedic timing with moments of genuine emotional turmoil makes his performance both relatable and bizarrely captivating.

At first, it will be somewhat off-putting. Before long, you’ll be head over heels.

Technically, the film is a low-budget marvel with sizzling cinematography and spectacular sound design. Mira makes the most of the claustrophobic setting, effectively amplifying the tension within the confined space. The use of lighting and camera angles creates a sense of unease.

The score complements this atmosphere, blending unnerving soundscapes with moments of whimsy, further enhancing the film’s overall unpredictability.

The sound design is particularly noteworthy. A standout element is the use of an instrumental version of “It’s My Party” that plays every time Feldman’s character enters or exits the hotel elevator. This recurring motif adds to the film’s surreal atmosphere and demonstrates the attention to detail in the audio landscape.

Its strengths lie in its unique script, standout performances, and technical execution.

Hints of David Lynch, Brian De Palma, the Coen brothers, and Paul Thomas Anderson can be detected throughout thanks to the film’s chaotic humor, dark undertones, strange beauty, and disorienting storytelling.

The Birthday blends Lovecraftian nihilism with the hope and optimism of its loveable main character. While one antagonist proclaims, “There’s no love, no hope. You can’t trust anyone,” Feldman’s Norman is determined to become a hero despite having all the cards stacked against him.

This tension between cosmic despair and human resilience adds depth to the film’s thematic landscape.

While the film’s deliberately odd pacing and intentionally disjointed narrative won’t be for everyone, those who appreciate a film that eschews mainstream sensibilities should find much to love about this quirky, darkly humorous delight.

As a polarizing piece, it invites discussion and analysis, making it a fascinating addition to the world of cult cinema.

The recent 4K restoration screening at Fantastic Fest 2024, attended by both Corey Feldman and Eugenio Mira, marks a triumphant return for this long-overlooked gem. It’s a testament to the film’s enduring appeal and the power of cult cinema to transcend traditional distribution channels.

A rare gift for lovers of unconventional cinema, The Birthday is a film that lingers in the mind long after viewing, inviting—perhaps even demanding—repeated viewings to unravel its many layers.