I can’t remember ever seeing a film with a giant monster made out of pieces of meat, but then again, that’s only one of many moments in “John Dies at the End” that made me question what it was I was really watching. Turns out, it’s an adaptation of the cult horror-comedy novel by the same name, full of decapitation, alternate dimensions and hotdog cell phones.

Dave (Chase Williamson) and John (Rob Mayes) are sort of a pair of low-rent ghostbusters who discover a new drug, nicknamed “Soy Sauce,” that opens you up to other dimensions. Slowly, it becomes apparent that this drug may be more sinister than it appears, and that Dave may be the only one who can stop it.

What makes the film interesting isn’t so much the plot, but the wild, zany energy that propels the film forward until it nearly implodes. The first half admittedly has way more vitality than the second, especially because of the overly-convenient way the story resolves itself.

The film is also very clearly a low budget affair, with a lot of effects that aren’t always that convincing, but at least practical rather than some ugly CG mess. The acting ranges in quality as well, but the script moves quickly enough that no one bad performance or effect are able to bring the film down very much.

The script is great, aside from the kind of lazy convention of telling the story through Dave being interviewed by a reporter. It’s generally clear this was made by people who were really invested in it, and that excuses some of the problem brought on by the low budget feel. “John Dies at the End” isn’t likely to be a big hit, but is sure to be an underground cult sensation in years to come.

3.5/5 Stars