Every Heavy Thing is the gonzo movie of the year — a chaotic, brain-bending descent into madness that feels like a dream you half-remember after waking up, unsure if it was brilliant or just bizarre. Director Mickey Reece (Agnes), known for his fiercely independent spirit and genre-defying style, goes full bonkers here, delivering a film that swings wildly between horror, dark comedy, surreal drama, and conspiracy thriller. It’s a bold, unpredictable ride, and it’s likely to be one of the most talked about titles from this year’s Fantasia International Film Festival.
Barbara Crompton as Whitney Bluewill in EVERY HEAVY THING. Photo courtesy of Fantasia International Film Festival.
At the center of the madness is Joe, played with a twitchy, nervous energy by Josh Fadem (Freaks of Nature). Joe is a seemingly average man whose life takes a sudden, sharp turn after he witnesses a murder. But Every Heavy Thing isn’t interested in being a straightforward mystery or crime thriller. Instead, Joe’s descent into paranoia and psychological unraveling is filtered through Reece’s unique cinematic lens where tone shifts are rapid and logic often takes a backseat to mood, vibe, and atmosphere. The story becomes less about solving the murder and more about how Joe’s world begins to crack at the seams.
As Joe tries to keep the truth buried, his carefully constructed, already fragile life begins to collapse. Fadem is perfectly cast as he walks the line between tragic and absurd with skill, often coming across as a man out of step with reality but still somehow grounded by sheer force of will. He’s not just a man in trouble, he’s a man adrift in a film that doesn’t play by traditional rules.
L-R: Josh Fadem as Joe and Vera Drew as Alex in EVERY HEAVY THING. Photo courtesy of Fantasia International Film Festival.
Backing him is an electric supporting cast that brings even more weird energy to the table. Vera Drew, fresh off The People’s Joker (2024), continues to impress with her fearless approach to quirky and unconventional roles. John Ennis (Zodiac) offers a grounding presence in a sea of chaos, while Barbara Crampton (Re-Animator; The Last Stop in Yuma County) — genre royalty at this point — lends a touch of gravitas and horror pedigree which elevates every scene she’s in. Her presence is a nod to fans of classic genre cinema and adds to the film’s eclectic, referential tone.
The do-it-yourself atmosphere is both a strength and a barrier for Every Heavy Thing. Like Reece’s previous films (Agnes (2021), Country Gold (2022), and Climate of the Hunter (2019), this film thrives on an outsider ethos. It’s handmade cinema, from the intentionally off-kilter editing to the retro-inspired sets and eccentric sound design. For viewers unfamiliar with Reece’s work, the comparison to something like Fred Vogel’s (August Underground) underground style gives a good idea of the energy: raw, unpolished, and fiercely uncompromising.
L-R: Tipper Newton as Lux and Josh Fadem as Joe in EVERY HEAVY THING. Photo courtesy of Fantasia International Film Festival.
This DIY style, while part of its charm, may throw off some viewers expecting a more traditionally polished film. But for others, it’s exactly this rough-around-the-edges aesthetic that makes Every Heavy Thing so compelling. It’s a movie that’s not afraid to get messy, to take risks, and to confuse you on purpose. It doesn’t spell everything out — and it doesn’t care if you like that or not.
Is Every Heavy Thing the best movie from Fantasia this year? Maybe not. But it’s very possibly the most memorable. It’s the kind of movie that inspires late-night conversations, repeat viewings, and online theories. Mickey Reece has once again delivered a divisive, genre-blending rollercoaster of a film that refuses to conform and absolutely revels in its strangeness.
Barbara Crompton as Whitney Bluewill in EVERY HEAVY THING. Photo courtesy of Fantasia International Film Festival.
In an age of safe, studio-backed, genre fare, Every Heavy Thing stands out like a fever dream on celluloid. It’s not for everyone, but for those it clicks with, it might just be the cult gem of 2025.
Screening during Fantasia International Film Festival 2025.
For more information, head to the official Fantasia International Film Festival Every Heavy Thing webpage.
Final Score: 2.5 out of 5.
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Categories: In Theaters, Reviews
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