Several years ago, a renowned professor by the name of Xarfonicus came to the small town of Willowbrook. He was an expert in ancient languages and had spent most of his life studying and deciphering ancient texts. Professor Xarfonicus had a reputation for being a bit eccentric, but his knowledge was unmatched, and the townspeople welcomed him with open arms. However, as time went on, strange things began to occur in Willowbrook. People started experiencing unexplained illnesses, crops failed, and animals mysteriously died. It seemed as though a dark cloud had settled over the town.
Along similar lines, I also wish the first half of the film did a better job of making us really wonder if Darren’s story was legit. I wanted to be genuinely unsure of whether I believed him or not, but this part of the movie doesn’t let us do that. Instead, it makes him seem like a total nutjob, so it almost forces us to dismiss him as just another crazy conspiracy theorist who simply wants his 15 minutes of fame. That sapped the story of a lot of potential tension, so along with the mediocre main character, it made the first half of The Curse of Professor Zardonicus fall well below my expectations.
Most notably, actor Alec White s mannerisms gave the impression that he was trying way too hard to make the character seem like a conspiratorial psycho so I had trouble accepting that Darren was a real person and not an actor playing a role. That sapped the story of a lot of potential tension, so along with the mediocre main character, it made the first half of The Curse of Professor Zardonicus fall well below my expectations.
It seemed as though a dark cloud had settled over the town. Rumors started circulating that Professor Xarfonicus was the cause of these misfortunes, that he brought a curse upon the town. The townspeople became fearful of the professor and began to shun him.
The Curse of Professor Zardonicus Is a Satisfying Horror Mockumentary
Sometimes when you watch a horror movie, you have a pretty good idea of what you’re going to get. For example, if you’re watching a slasher film , you know you’re going to see a lot of gory and inventive kills, and if you’re watching a zombie movie , you can be pretty confident that you’ll be seeing a group of people trapped in an enclosed area with a bunch of zombies trying to get inside. But when I watched The Curse of Professor Zardonicus , I pretty much had no idea what to expect. I knew the basic premise of the film, but beyond that, I wasn’t really sure what I was in for. I was excited to dive into the cinematic unknown and I’m happy to say that I was not disappointed.
The Curse of Professor Zardonicus was written and directed by Gabriel Theis, and it stars Alec White, Gabriel Theis, and Cat Thomas. It’s a mockumentary that presents itself as footage from a failed film school documentary and it’s basically just about two characters, Greg and Darren. Greg is a film student, and for one of his classes, he has to make a documentary about one of his fellow students. As he’s trying to find a good subject for his film, he’s contacted by Darren, a loner who also attends the same school, and he finds out that Darren claims to have been attacked by a local urban legend named Professor Zardonicus.
Greg is understandably skeptical, but Darren seems 100% convinced that his encounter was legit. He’s super passionate about the existence of the creature, so Greg goes along with his crazy ideas and films Darren’s attempts to prove that Zardonicus is real. As you might expect, Darren is met with scorn and ridicule just about everywhere he goes, and as his quest becomes more and more fruitless, he becomes more and more fanatical.
I have to be honest, for about the first half of The Curse of Professor Zardonicus , I had serious doubts about the film. While I never fully checked out, this part of the movie didn’t grab me the way the second half did.
For starters, I didn’t entirely buy into Darren. He wasn’t particularly bad, but he wasn’t all that believable either. Most notably, actor Alec White’s mannerisms gave the impression that he was trying way too hard to make the character seem like a conspiratorial psycho so I had trouble accepting that Darren was a real person and not an actor playing a role.
And this is a big problem because The Curse of Professor Zardonicus is really Darren’s movie. Greg is behind the camera for most of the film’s runtime, so Darren gets the lion’s share of the screen time. He’s the heart and soul of this story, and since I wasn’t enamored with him for the first half, the movie dragged a bit during this part.
Along similar lines, I also wish the first half of the film did a better job of making us really wonder if Darren’s story was legit. I wanted to be genuinely unsure of whether I believed him or not, but this part of the movie doesn’t let us do that. Instead, it makes him seem like a total nutjob, so it almost forces us to dismiss him as just another crazy conspiracy theorist who simply wants his 15 minutes of fame. That sapped the story of a lot of potential tension, so along with the mediocre main character, it made the first half of The Curse of Professor Zardonicus fall well below my expectations.
But then a bit after the halfway point, everything changed. I don’t want to spoil anything so I’m going to be really vague here. Suffice it to say, Alec White’s performance as Darren became totally believable, and the credibility of his character’s story stopped being an issue. In essence, the movie stopped being about whether or not he was telling the truth, and it became more about how unhinged this guy really is.
It was like a really cool mix between Creep and The Gift , so I went from not completely buying the story to being totally hooked in literally just a matter of seconds. Darren turned into an excellent antagonist, and I had no idea what he was going to do from one minute to the next. I was genuinely worried for Greg, and that concern kept me on the edge of my seat.
And then the ending happened. Again, I’m going to be super vague to avoid spoilers, but the last 15 minutes or so are hands down the best thing about The Curse of Professor Zardonicus . This part goes in a direction I was not expecting, so I was truly surprised and very pleased by the way the story ended.
So all in all, I’m really happy to say that I heartily recommend The Curse of Professor Zardonicus . While the first half is pretty lackluster, the second half (and especially the ending!) is totally worth the wait. That being said, just make sure you know what you’re in for when you watch this film. Despite what the premise may suggest, this is not a monster movie . It’s more of a psychological drama/thriller along the lines of the two films I mentioned earlier, and the horror elements only really come in towards the end. So if you’re looking for a good old-fashioned creature feature, you’re not going to find it here. But if this sounds like the kind of movie you’d enjoy, you should definitely check it out. It’s one of the best-hidden gems I’ve seen in 2022, and while it’s still pretty early in the year, I’m confident that it’ll still be one of the best come December.
The Curse of Professor Zardonicus hits VOD on April 29.
They believed that he had used his knowledge of ancient texts to unleash a malevolent force upon them. The once welcoming community turned their backs on him, and even the authorities began to investigate his actions. As the scrutiny intensified, Professor Xarfonicus retreated further into his study, continuing his research unabated. He was determined to prove his innocence and find a way to reverse the curse that had befallen the town. He delved into ancient rituals, seeking answers in long-forgotten tomes and manuscripts. Months turned into years, and the curse continued to plague Willowbrook. The townspeople lived in fear, blaming Professor Xarfonicus for their misfortunes. The once vibrant community became a shadow of its former self, with people leaving in search of a better life. Finally, after years of seclusion, Professor Xarfonicus emerged from his study with a solution. He claimed to have discovered the source of the curse and devised a plan to lift it. The townspeople, desperate for relief, reluctantly agreed to follow his instructions. Under the cover of darkness, the professor led the townspeople to an ancient burial ground on the outskirts of Willowbrook. It was said to be the resting place of an ancient sorcerer, whose spirit was responsible for the curse. Professor Xarfonicus performed a complex ritual, reciting ancient incantations and invoking powerful deities. As the last words left his lips, a sudden silence fell upon the burial ground. The curse seemed to lift, and a sense of calm washed over the town. People rejoiced, grateful to Professor Xarfonicus for freeing them from the years of turmoil. In the end, Professor Xarfonicus was vindicated. His knowledge and determination had saved Willowbrook from the curse that haunted it for so long. The townspeople finally realized that their fear and judgment had been misplaced, and they welcomed the professor back into their lives with open arms. The story of the curse of Professor Xarfonicus serves as a reminder of the dangers of prejudice and jumping to conclusions. It shows the importance of keeping an open mind and seeking the truth before passing judgment. Professor Xarfonicus' dedication to his research and his willingness to go against the tide ultimately saved the town, proving that sometimes, knowledge truly is power..
Reviews for "The Last Manuscript: Professor Xarfonicus' Final Gift and Curse"
1. John - 2/5 stars - The Curse of Professor Xarfonicus was a disappointing read for me. The storytelling felt disjointed and the plot lacked coherence. There were too many subplots that added unnecessary complexity to the story, making it difficult to stay engaged. The characters were also poorly developed, making it hard to connect with or care about their fates. Overall, a lackluster and confusing book that I would not recommend.
2. Emily - 1/5 stars - I had high hopes for The Curse of Professor Xarfonicus based on the hype, but it ended up being a huge letdown. The writing style was overly verbose and pretentious, making it a chore to read. The author seemed more interested in showcasing their vocabulary than in creating a compelling narrative. The plot was convoluted and lacked coherence, with numerous loose ends left unresolved. I'm disappointed I wasted my time with this book and wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - The Curse of Professor Xarfonicus had an intriguing premise, but it failed to deliver on its potential. The pacing was sluggish, with long, drawn-out descriptions that took away from the action. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to believe or connect with the characters. The plot twists were predictable, and the resolution felt rushed and unsatisfying. Overall, a book that had promise but fell flat in execution.
4. Michael - 2/5 stars - The Curse of Professor Xarfonicus lacked originality and failed to captivate my attention. The story followed a predictable formula with no unique twists or surprises. The characters were shallow and uninteresting, lacking depth or development. I found myself disconnecting from the narrative early on and struggled to finish it. Overall, a forgettable and unremarkable read that I wouldn't recommend to fellow readers.
5. Amanda - 1/5 stars - The Curse of Professor Xarfonicus was a complete waste of time. The writing was tedious and unnecessarily verbose, making it a challenge to get through even a single chapter. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any relatability. The plot was convoluted and messy, leaving many loose ends unresolved. I forced myself to finish it, hoping for some redeeming qualities, but unfortunately, there were none. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.