RATING: B+

Insurgence presents an Exit 10 Films/Sandaled Kid Productions film in association with Trick Candle Productions. Directed, lensed, and edited by Aaron Mirtes. Produced by Tom Malloy and Aaron Mirtes. Written by Nathan Illsley and Aaron Mirtes; story by James Cullen Bressack and Scotty Mullen.

The legendary story once again goes full horror, but this one takes a very shocking turn in this film by filmmaker Aaron Mirtes.

Dorothy Gale is not having a good day. She lost her job, and her car broke down. After arguing with the mechanic, a tornado hits Kansas, sending Dorothy and her best friend, Toto, to a world they have never seen before. Toto is injured upon arrival, but she and Dorothy find a place called Munchkinland. However, the area is deemed abandoned. While looking for someone, they are attacked by a mysterious Minion in a cloak and mask. They are rescued by Glinda, the Good Witch of the South, who after killing the Minion, eats him to Dorothy’s shock!

Glinda warns Dorothy that the Wizard of Oz has taken over the area and has either banished or killed anyone who possesses magic. When the Wizard learns of Dorothy and Toto, he sends the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and the Lion, to find and kill them. With Glinda’s help, Dorothy must arm herself with the weapons she needs to survive the Wicked World of Oz!

At first hearing of this public domain horror film based on the L. Frank Baum classic, I was unsure what to think. That was, until I heard the story idea came from Indie World Cinema Hall of Famer James Cullen Bressack, who also serves as an executive producer. This one takes the wonderful land of Oz and turns into Hell on Earth, but it doesn’t go without saying while this is a horror film, there is comedy to complement the chaotic violence in the film.

Kenzie Wynne’s Dorothy undergoes a massive transformation from a scared little woman from Kansas into a feared warrior when she is forced to fight for her life. It is sometimes funny to see her freak out when she has death around her, but she knows that if she plans to get home, there is only one way. As for Glinda, Chelsey Fuller brings a very fun and yet horrific take on the character as we learn that, due to her banishment from Oz, she had to resort to cannibalism, as we see her kill and eat a Minion. As for Toto, there is no dog, but instead is replaced as Dorothy’s bestie, played by Destinee Monet and upon their arrival in Oz, proves why she is only a side character. 

The Wizard himself, played by Patrick Sharn, brings some of the comic relief to the film as he gets his Minions (in place of the flying monkeys) all hyped up in various ways. For instance, he reads a bedtime story to one about Star Wars of all things. In another scene, he teaches a Minion how to drink from a straw and they get all excited. EWicked ven the Minions are comic fodder as they converse with each other as if they’re bumbling sidekicks (which they are).  As for the Big 3, the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion (actually a musclebound actor wearing a mask), all make some impact but do little in terms of their screen time. 

Nevertheless, the movie mainly pits Dorothy and Glinda against the Wizard and his Minions and when it happens, it’s insane. Lots of bloodshed with shotgun blasts, loads of carnage, some very gruesome aftermaths especially whe Glinda feeds on a Minion early in the film, later explaining to Dorothy why there are no more Munchkins in the area (take a guess!). 

Overall, Wicked of Oz is actually quite fun in terms of making a horror-comedy of sorts. James Cullen Bressack came up with an ingenious idea for a film, and Aaron Mirtes and company executed it well as a popcorn flick! If you like are a fan of the public domain horror film trend as of late, then add this film to your list.