Fried Barry

Waking one morning after a bender, a man comes to find he had been abducted by aliens during the night and implanted with a being to experience human life, but the more he tries to keep it a secret the more he wants to utilize his strange powers to help mankind inadvertently risking exposing himself and his mission.

This was a rather enjoyable if somewhat problematic effort. Among its more engaging aspects is the highly enjoyable and evocative manner of bringing about the abduction and his overall change. The psychedelic imagery present in the sequence, featuring all the flashing lights and impressive imagery to denote the machines surrounding and impaling objects into his body from just about every orifice imaginable is quite enjoyable, making for a much grander and overt arthouse influence to the sequence than just a typical abduction and probing. This arthouse style of deep, probing lighting and ethereal sounds indicating the sights and sounds around him continued throughout here quite frequently and adds another dimension to the film. Alongside the constant notion of his initial unfamiliarity with the new world being played off for shyness and an introverted attitude which means no one knows who or what he really is until it's too late, there's a lot to like here both technically and storyline wise. As well, the film scores quite nicely with the fish-out-of-water concept of how he's going through the community and what happens to him. From being a hit at the club because he can absorb dozens of party pills without effect that turns him into a dance machine that's a hit with the ladies, a sexual deviant who's able to endlessly pleasure anyone he comes across from prostitutes to his own wife to get her to stop nagging him and then freeing a group of kids from the hands of a child kidnapper, that he can use his extra abilities for a greater purpose is quite fun and commendable. Graced with a bizarre energy and a likable enough grindhouse aesthetic on top of the arthouse feel, there's a lot to like with this one. There are a few issues to be had here. One of it's biggest issues is the somewhat unappealing second half that takes a lot of the elements that made the first part really enjoyable and completely drops everything for a random series of events that aren't that interesting. Hopping around from just random plot-points about coming across random street thugs to what his wife believes is a strange illness that's never followed up or resolved to randomly meeting a child kidnapper and freeing a group of kids from his grasp, this just seems random and sloppy without any kind of structure to it. This all feels completely tacked on and away from what the original story no doubt was like. More to the point, these are quite boring and just not fun at all in the slightest to watch play out, dropping the intensity of the first part into a dull and uninteresting whimper to the finishing point.

Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Language, Graphic Violence, Nudity, a sex scene and drug use.

I had the pleasure of getting to sit down to watch the 2020 movie "Fried Barry" here in 2021. I hadn't even heard about the movie prior to getting to sit down and watch it. But I must say that the movie's synopsis sounded like this could possibly be an interesting movie.

And I will say that writers Ryan Kruger and James C. Williamson definitely managed to churn out a wholesome, unique and very entertaining script. So sitting down to watch "Fried Barry" was quite a treat. In fact, this entire movie was like a bad acid trip, but in a good and entertaining manner.

The storyline told in "Fried Barry" is odd, no doubt about it. The story is about Barry, an abusive man with a bad drug habit, whom one day becomes abducted by an alien visitor that takes over his physical body. And while inhabiting the drug addict's body, the alien sets out to experience Earth.

"Fried Barry" is truly a one of a kind movie. And you should take notice that this is definitely something of an acquired taste. I don't think there is a middle ground here with "Fried Barry", you either like it or dislike it. Personally, then I definitely liked it because the movie was so far out there and bizarre that it was just pure bliss to sit through.

Take heed though, because the movie is crammed with weird imagery that possibly would serve the viewer better if the viewer was high on some kind of psychadelic drug. And those strange images definitely carried the movie a great long way.

I wasn't familiar with a single actor or actress on the cast list in "Fried Barry", but hats off to lead actor Gary Green for his performance as Barry. Wow, talk about putting on a stellar performance. Just watching Gary Green's performance alone makes it well-worth while sitting through the entire movie, even if you dislike the storyline.

"Fried Barry" snuck on in under the radar for me, but I am more than thrilled that I took the time to sit down and watch director Ryan Kruger's 2020 movie, because "Fried Barry" was an experience unlike anything else I have seen on the screen.

My rating of "Fried Barry" lands on a well-deserved eight out of ten stars.

I am not even comparing this to the Greasy Strangler as a movie, just referring to the title ... if anything they are both quite trashy as some would say, but in a different sense. This is quite episodic and I reckon some people who did do drugs, may feel some connection to some of the things happening here. Still it has to be noted, you should not try this at home. And even someone like me, who didn't do drugs (alcohol aside if you think it counts per definition), I could relate ... well understand may be the better word, what the main character goes through, to a degree.

Very well played by our lead and far out as some might say. But also completely odd and tough to follow. Also no story - just a few things to be aware of. This isn't anywhere near a "normal" film ... but if you let yourself into the world and the madness this depicts ... you can have some fun, with all the depravities you get to see. Or be entertained by them I should say ... fun isn't really ... well I guess you can laugh a lot, especially if you can distinguish and not compare this to your real life (hopefully) ... no pun intended

"Fried Barry" is a truly unconventional film that takes the viewer on a surreal and unsettling journey. With a rating of 8/10, the film deserves recognition for its unconventional approach and captivating portrayal.

The storyline of "Fried Barry" revolves around the protagonist Barry, who is unwillingly abducted by aliens and infected with a strange power. From that moment on, we experience the world through Barry's perspective as he drifts through the streets of Cape Town, encountering absurd and often dangerous situations.

The film excels in its unique visual design and creative direction. The cinematography and camera work contribute to capturing the psychedelic and unsettling atmosphere of Barry's world. The use of intense colors, fast cuts, and unconventional perspectives enhances the surreal experience and immerses the viewer deeply into the protagonist's twisted mindset.

The performance by Gary Green, who portrays Barry, is remarkable. He effectively conveys the character's depths and extremes, giving Barry a distinctive presence. Despite minimal dialogue in "Fried Barry," Green manages to communicate Barry's inner state and reactions through body language and expressiveness.

"Fried Barry" is certainly not a film for everyone. The disturbing and often bizarre nature of the storyline may polarize viewers, and those seeking traditional narrative structures may be disappointed. However, the film offers a unique and captivating experience for those willing to embrace its offbeat and experimental nature.

With a rating of 8/10, "Fried Barry" deserves praise for its creative approach, visual design, and Gary Green's convincing performance. For film enthusiasts who are open to an extraordinary and unsettling adventure, this film is definitely worth a watch.

I didn't think it was a horror comedy in the sense I'm used to, but it wasn't an overly serious film either. It has some very weird and trippy moments that aren't going to be everyone's taste. Personally I had fun with it.

Most of the plot is odd, because the main character isn't driving the story. A lot of events tend to happen around him instead. And he is going along with whatever every one else is doing. Which works to some degree with the whole fish out of water, he is an alien inside a human body experiencing things for the first time.

The lead did pretty well with his physical comedy too.