Pater Noster and the Mission of Light offers a fun nod to 70s horror and finishes strong with an explosive bang. Written and directed by Christopher Bickel, the movie has landed at Salem Horror Fest to shock audiences. Pater Noster and the Mission of Light is not just a good time; it’s a trippy experience.
The movie centers around Max (Adara Starr), who works in a record store run exclusively by women. I thought I’d mention that latter part because I love the femme representation. While working, someone brings in a rare record from “Pater Noster and the Mission of Light.” Being obsessed with the record, Max wants to buy it, but her boss, Sam (Morgan Shaley Renew), won’t let her do so at a discount. This is where the trouble starts, of course, and the desperation.
The Mission of Light
The Mission of Light was a cult in the 1970s, and Pater Noster, played by Mike Amason, was its leader. The cult lived in a commune called Wunderlawn. How fun does that sound? Okay, maybe not. This is a horror movie, after all. The Mission of Light hasn’t been heard of or seen in decades.
During their existence, they released several records of their music. Now, for some reason, the movie doesn’t delve into detail beyond their rarity; their records are worth a considerable amount of money. What I loved throughout the film is that writer/director Bickel sets a mood alongside the music of this “rare album” to bring us into the world of Wunderlawn. Yes, we actually get to hear some of the music from the album. It’s pretty freakin’ rad.
Max acquires a few of the Mission of Light records, but we start to see that her obsession grows as she is missing the fifth of the five albums. The Mission of Light reaches out to Max, and of course, she jumps at the chance to meet with them, because why not? Unfortunately, her obsession begins the downfall of her and her friends as she brings them along with her on her quest for that fifth album.
Stupidity At Its Finest
Even with movies I enjoy, I tend to focus on the aspects I don’t. So, I understand that these are horror movies, and we need stupidity to propel the momentum forward and keep the horror coming. But just let me rant for a quick moment. Why must we always make our characters so dumb? Don’t drink strange drinks, people. Don’t hop into a stranger’s car. And don’t accept an invitation from someone you don’t know. I know we need stupid for horror, but can’t we just get there another way? Okay, rant over.
Having said all that, though, the movie is a fun romp into skin-crawling indulgence. The violence is filthy fun. I love that it was in your face and over the top, which added to the enjoyment of the experience. The music and disturbing imagery created a perfect atmosphere of anxiety and dread. Blood, gore, culty music, Pater Noster and the Mission of Light has set out to shock the senses and have succeeded. It’s a jolly momentary descent into madness. Watch and enjoy, it’s a fun ride.
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