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Kevin Gage in Chaos
Chaos Cast and Crew
Kevin Gage: Chaos
Other leading roles:
Maya Barovich as Emily
Chantal Degroat as Angelica
Ken Medlock as Sheriff
Kelly K.C. Quann as Sadie
Sage Stallone as Swan
Stephen Wozniak as Frankie
Director: David DeFalco
Writer(s): David DeFalco & Marc Sheffler
Studio: Independent
Chaos Synopsis
Two teenaged girls, looking to score some ecstasy at a rave, follow a young man to a house where terror awaits. There a gang of felons led by "Chaos" (Kevin Gage) capture and torment the girls, drawing them into a nightmare of violence. This film is being billed as "the most brutal film ever made."
Chaos Brief Review
Kevin Gage plays the title role in this graphically violent exploitation film. "It's based on true events about two girls who try to score the drug ecstasy at a rave party from some people they don't know," explains director David DeFalco, "which basically puts them in a world of hell. They are exposed to the most evil, sadistic, brutal people on the planet, and they are basically obliterated by this one monster of a human being, nicknamed 'Chaos.' The end of the movie has the parents confronting the killers."
DeFalco makes an effort to justify the film as a warning to young people. The official Chaos web site states that each year, 100 youth are abducted and murdered by strangers. In an interview on the site, he claims that "We had a female DA at the Cineramadome screening of CHAOS who, after seeing the movie, said it should be shown in all schools."
More from DeFalco: "The most common question I get asked regarding CHAOS from people is 'What's the purpose of making a movie like this?' My answer to that question is because it is a very real and unfortunate part of life that is as fascinating as it is disturbing."
Most reviewers seem to believe that the motives were not so high-minded as DeFalco would have one think. Roger Ebert gave the film zero stars, not for its execution but for its lack of moral compass, and recommends that movie-goers avoid it. See below for links to his review, DeFalco's rebuttal, and a reply by Ebert.
One of your webmasters wrote to Ebert thanking him for his thoughtful analysis, and mentioning the conflict caused by being a Kevin Gage fan. His response was worth sharing: "Kevin Gage was certainly effective, and I was reminded of my feelings about Michael Rooker after seeing Henry, Portrait of a Serial Killer. Hate the film, respect the actor."
The working title for Chaos was The House in the Middle of Nowhere.
Chaos had a limited theater release starting in August, 2005. DVD was released 26 September 06.
Chaos Articles & Interviews
Chaos (Dir. Cut) - Joe Horror, September 2006
Reviewer Brian Harris gives the film 3 stars, even though there's a lot he doesn't like about it. On the plus side, he says, "Chaos was wonderfully made and the production values were top notch. The acting was superb, especially Gage's Chaos and the FX had my guts churning and there was more than enough tension to go around." On the negative side, he calls Chaos "grim exploitation that serves no real function but to sicken viewers and smash them in the face with depravity." He is troubled by the fact that there is no retribution for the bad guys, and goes on to say, "I can honestly say that I don't see another film like Chaos being made for quite some time. While certainly not the most brutal film ever made, it is without a doubt brutal and the film will leave you feeling empty and numb." A thoughtful review and worth reading in full.
 Roger Ebert: Readers offer 'Chaos' theories - Chicago Sun-Times, August 20, 2005
Roger Ebert's review of the horror film Chaos, and the subsequent exchange of "open letters" between the film's makers and Ebert, inspired an unusual number of impassioned and thoughtful responses from readers representing a wide range of opinions. These responses are printed here.
At the bottom of the page you will find a film critic's report from the recent Los Angeles screening of Chaos. He points out the contradiction between DeFalco and Bernheim's attempts to portray the film as a serious warning to teens versus DeFalco's crowing, "I am the king of violence and evil!" He concludes that "these men are nothing more than two mindless hacks who are looking to dig up controversy, so they can sell their bad exploitation product." He also indicates that some of the actors felt that DeFalco has switched directions on them, leaving them bound by contract to a film they would not otherwise have chosen to participate in.
 Roger Ebert: Evil in film: To what end? - Chicago Sun-Times, August 19, 2005
Chaos producer Bernheim and director DeFalco rebut Roger Ebert's August 12 review, saying that the film is effective in portraying the truth about the kind of horrifying events that actually happen in today's world. Ebert responds with an essay that asks whether the world needs a film that portrays only evil and nihilism without any sense of hope.
 Chaos - Variety, August 18, 2005
Reviewer Robert Koehler describes Chaos as being a must-see for "male exploitation denizens," and a movie for the rest of us to avoid. He comments on the plot, production values and director DeFalco.
Review: Chaos - Chicago Daily Herald, August 12, 2005
Film critic begins by saying that after watching Chaos, "I wanted to storm the projection room, burn the print, then hunt down and kill everyone associated with making this movie, for certainly I would be divinely pardoned for ridding the world of the people responsible for creating this reprehensible experience." Then he reminds himself that a horror film is meant to horrify, and is forced to acknowledge its effectiveness, calling Chaos "the first real post-9/11 horror film." Review includes some details about the ending that might be considered spoilers. One interesting (but unconfirmed) excerpt: "While attacking the girls as the frightfully convincing Chaos, Kevin Gage reportedly broke down into tears between takes."
 Roger Ebert: Chaos Review - Chicago Sun-Times, August 12, 2005
While film critic Roger Ebert acknowledges the effectiveness of the film and notes that "Kevin Gage makes Chaos repulsive and cruel," he does not mince words about his distaste and disgust for the project. "Chaos is ugly, nihilistic, and cruel -- a film I regret having seen. I urge you to avoid it. Don't make the mistake of thinking it's 'only' a horror film, or a slasher film. It is an exercise in heartless cruelty and it ends with careless brutality. The movie denies not only the value of life, but the possibility of hope." See also DeFalco's rebuttal and Ebert's response (August 19).
Looking a Lot Like 'Last House on the Left' - New York Times, August 10, 2005
Reviewer Kern considers Chaos to be an ill-crafted rip-off of Last House on the Left. "The script and the characters are cliché-ridden and the acting is atrocious, though Gage is convincingly repulsive as the lead psychopath." She concludes, "Unless you enjoy viewing senseless, extreme acts of rape and mutilation, stay far, far away from this one."
Chaos Review - Pitofhorror.com, August 2005
Reviewer John Gray observes that "Chaos is disgusting, shocking and laced with humiliation, nudity, profanity and limit shoving tastelessness. And that's what will make this movie a success." He also notes that Kevin Gage's "disciplined acting" as the title sociopath "manages to inspire intense dislike."
Director David DeFalco talks CHAOS - Fangoria, June 8, 2005
Chaos director proudly describes the film as "a murder-revenge thing" and "the most horrifying, brutal film ever made." (The photograph of the director, a former professional wrestler known as "The Demon," is reason enough to read the review.)
 Dinsdale Releasing to unleash CHAOS - Fangoria, April 27, 2005
In announcing the upcoming theatrical release of Chaos, the distributor talks about the graphic brutality of the film, saying, "We're even kicking around the idea of handing out barf bags with each admission."
Quotes from David DeFalco - Official Chaos web site, 2005
A collection of quotes by the Chaos director about his motivations, the filming process and Kevin Gage. Examples include, "People blame me for writing and directing such a brutal movie. I never chose to go down this path. This is not what I came to Hollywood to do originally. I believe I was somehow chosen to channel the forces of darkness onto celluloid and capture the essence of real evil for all to see and learn from." [KevinGage.com]
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Chaos Reviews & Other Resources
All Things Zombie Forums - Chaos comment - Forum participant "Joe Horror" says about Kevin Gage in Chaos: "I'd like to begin my reply with a massive amount of praise for Kevin Gage. The man is so utterly terrifying. He's just one of those actors that ooze menace and dread. His character in Lightning Bug gave me goosebumps and REALLY hit home. Watching his Earl was like looking at a clean cut redneck version of my biker Stepfather. I'm looking forward to Gage's characters in Sugar Creek, 6 Records and Sin-Jin Smyth." He goes on to criticize the film-makers.
 Netflix: Chaos - From Netflix, a description and reviews for Chaos. No release date provided for the DVD, but you can put it in your queue.
 Official Chaos Site - Official site includes poster and trailer, images and screening dates, along with a video clip with comments from people who watched the preliminary screenings. Initial page warns of NC-17 violent materials. Some of the images are repugnant but not (IMHO) NC-17. I did not watch the video excerpts from the film, so view at your own risk. Requires Macromedia Flash Player 7.
The cast bio for Kevin Gage says, in part, "KEVIN GAGE (Chaos), who plays the title character, couldn't be further from the sadistic incarnation of pure evil that he plays in CHAOS." To which we can only say, "thank goodness!"
 Rotten Tomatoes: Chaos - Links to a growing collection of reviews for the film, plus synopsis, trailer.
 Stephen Wozniak - Official site for Chaos co-star Wozniak includes news and comments about the film. You will also find small clips from Chaos woven into his "Reels."
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Photos: Kevin Gage in Chaos
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I am the Devil
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Kevin Gage in Chaos
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Car smashing
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Killer gang
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DVD Cover
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Director's Cut cover
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