By Chris Rennirt
What would you do if your dream-home down-payment savings was stolen by an internet hacker? What would you do if, because of this, you had to donate bone marrow to pay the bills? What would you do if, with your best efforts and luck, the hacker was caught, and you had the opportunity to not only recover your money, but also exact the “rage-fueled karma” and vigilante revenge on the hacker himself, without the usual restrictive, ineffective results of reality and real life? What if the fate of the offender was in your hands, literally and figuratively, in a surreal world where limits were nonexistent and possibilities were endless, unpredictable, and self-indulgent, with even Santa helping out? (Yes, we’re talking about Santa Claus!) If any of this sounds fun, totally off the wall, and wacko in a good way, arousing “curiosity-filled” impulses to know more and act out violence vicariously, imagine what a movie would be like…if you can. And, as all of our fates would have it, imagine it’s in a movie just released called Hacked: A Double Entendre of Rage-Filled Karma (written and directed by Shane Brady). To make things better than the best, with a cherry on top and sprinkles too, imagine the movie featured, in a starring role, the amazing Augie Duke! (And yes, I have to throw that in as the author and editor in chief, because Augie is a personal favorite!)
Augie Duke (as Amy Rumble)
Aside from the above, anything more than the basics and a few tempting clues is too much in a review of Hacked. If ever there was an “everything but the kitchen sink” sort of film, with all the extras being a bonus, where most of “everything” is best left unknown till it’s seen, this is the movie. “Based on true…really bad events,” as the movie’s promotional premise, it serves a 90-minute example of how, with a line from one of the film’s characters, “Life is not a bowl of cherries….It’s crap sometimes.” “But, oh how sweet are the ways we sometimes turn crap to sugar,” I say…just as the movie shows us. As the opening narration says, the first ten minutes are a true story, and the rest is wishful fiction…but is it really? Within this world-turned-upside-down movie, I wonder…just a little!
Katelyn Nacon (as double-agent Kate)
Along with it’s double-negative narrative, Hacked offers a lot more for movie goers losing hope! What’s more is a multi-genre film with drama, action, humor, dark humor, and over-the-top, blood (and even puke) soaked stretches of horror, unpredictably doused with satire, irony, and surprising, but refreshing surrealism. Just when you think you know what’s going to happen next, you don’t…from beginning to end. What’s more? It’s all punctuated by bits of romance, with a kiss or kinky fetish here and there, to balance it out, while, at the same time, keeping it weird. Am I being purposely cryptic to save you from spoilers? Actually no! The movie is cryptic enough, on its own, even with the best of descriptive things I can say…mostly. But, this is all a good thing! “A movie unlike any I’ve seen before,” is something I haven’t been able to say in a while. For another, “This is the apex predator of revenge films!” And you can quote me on that!
Owen Atlas (as Ralf Rumble) and Colin Thompson (as Freddy Rumble)
Hacked: A Double Entendre of Rage-Filled Karma stars Space Jockey Reviews favorite Augie Duke (Yeah, I had to list her again and first!), Shane Brady, Katelyn Nacon, Richard Riehle (as Santa Claus), Parker Pannell, Owen Atlas, Chandler Riggs, Collin Thompson, Tiago Martinez, Hugh Scott, Glenn Stanton, Elisa Lau, Emily Ashby, and more. (See the film’s IMDb page for a complete listing of cast members.) Chandler Riggs is appropriately obnoxious as the villainous, despicable Chameleon, offering a most unique take (or intake) on flatulence. Owen Atlas and Colin Thompson (as Ralf and Freddy Rumble) are just the perfect nerdy, wannabe social-media influencers and over-the-top “rage-fueled” brothers needed. Katelyn Nacon, as “double-entendre,” double agent, Kate, is a double-powerful actress as well; best known for her series roles as Enid in The Walking Dead, Elisia in T@GGED, and Sammi in Light As A Feather, Nacon likely adds another to her “Best-Known For” list with Hacked. Hugh Scott and Elisa Lau add high-volume comedy to a movie already saturated with it (and that’s saying a lot). Veteran actor Richard Riehle adds holiday spirit, along with a seasoned performance (pun intended). And Augie Duke as Amy Rumble–the normally meek and motherly wife turned “rage-fueled” spouse–delivers another “star-fueled” performance…again! Am I surprised? No! Am I getting a Veronica Harmon feeling here from Augie, from Bad Kids Go to Hell (2012)? Yes indeed! And what a good feeling it is!
Katelyn Nacon (as Agent Kate) and Augie Duke (as Amy Rumble)
Are there more questions? With Hacked, there will always be questions, before and after the credits, just as the best of movies have. What unsavory, unpredictable things does the Rumble family do for revenge? What does Santa and Bubbles the Elf have to do with it all? Will Ralf and Freddy ever find revenge that’s satisfying, becoming the social-media influencers they aspire to be? Will Augie (as Amy) find her inner Veronica and whip the hacker’s ass alone? And, as food for thought (yes, enough for a smorgasbord), how many times can a magical candy cane bring a person back to life?
Shane Brady (as Mark Rumble) and Elisa Lau (right)
If you’re looking for a bonkers, over-the-top movie unlike any before, with laughs, unexpected asides, and unpredictability galore, topped off with Augie Duke in a leading role, look no further than HACKED: A Double Entendre of Rage-Fueled Karma. With it’s multi-genre content, dedicated cast, and A-list acting, it’s a fresh, full-spectrum experience, with something for everyone. As a bonus, Santa might even put you on his “Nice List,” with “rage-fueled” toys as a reward! Get Hacked today! After only ten minutes, you’ll get revenge too!
Also check out the bonus screenshots, below the trailer!
And finally, beautiful publicity photos of actors Augie Duke and Katelyn Nacon!
Rocket Rating – 8.5
Chris Rennirt is a movie critic and writer in Louisville, Kentucky, as well as editor in chief at Space Jockey Reviews. He has been a judge at many film festivals, including Macabre Faire Film Festival and Crimson Screen Film Fest, and he attends horror and sci-fi conventions often. Chris’ movie reviews, articles, and interviews appear in Effective Magazine and are published regularly on Space Jockey Reviews.