Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		2.5
Audio		3.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		3.0

Damselvis: Daughter of Helvis Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 29, 2023

Writer/director John Michael McCarthy has something in mind with “Damselvis, Daughter of Helvis,” but he’s not in the mood to share it with viewers. One can appreciate the faint plan to create a graphic novel-style viewing experience with this tale of a young woman and her mission to meet her undead parent, but the details of this universe are mostly muddled and incomplete. Instead of providing cinematic polish, McCarthy delivers a shot- on-video event, and while the production has room to do pretty much whatever it wants, the helmer remains fixated on generating a confusing offering of pursuit, religion, and surreal experiences, supplying a rock and roll slide into screen stasis one too many times.

“Damselvis” doesn’t have a plot, only the general shape of a mission, where the eponymous character takes a trip to Memphis to meet her father, the legendary, and quite dead, Helvis. Tracking her moves is a Christian cult led by Black Jesus, with his followers looking to prevent this reunion, which could trigger a shift of power in the universe.

McCarthy doesn’t invite the audience into this world. He simply drops them into the middle of it, with Black Jesus handling cult violence in full view of interstate traffic, and a troubled woman is suddenly made aware of her purpose, tasked with resurrecting her dead father. While that should be the starter pistol for an exciting chase to Memphis, “Damselvis” doesn’t have any interest in building suspense. Instead, there are lengthy scenes of driving and walking, with the players taking time to do very little. McCarthy hopes to generate mood with the endeavor, which is filled with guitar- driven rock sounds, but such a push for coolness should be backed by functional filmmaking, and “Damselvis” doesn’t have that. Instead of tension and mystery, there’s an addiction to aimlessness, with the ultimate point of everything locked away in McCarthy’s mind.

Damselvis: Daughter of Helvis Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.34:1 aspect ratio) presentation provides a look at the SOV production, with the viewing experience most definitely not about detail. Basic frame elements are understood, including exterior events and strange interiors. Colors are also unremarkable, finding some life with hair and costuming, along with more varied lighting sources. Some points of damage are found along the way.

Damselvis: Daughter of Helvis Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA struggles with age and production limitations, occasionally losing the war with intelligibility. Event the subtitles struggle to figure out what the characters are saying from time to time. Guitar stings and scoring isn't crisply defined, but remains appreciable.

Damselvis: Daughter of Helvis Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features writer/director John Michael McCarthy.

• "Resurrecting Helvis" (19:26, HD) is an interview with writer/director John Michael McCarthy.

• "Making Something Out of Nothing" (187:38, SD) is an extended making-of for "Damselvis," utilizing footage from the original shoot, exploring the daily process of production, cast & crew camaraderie, and technical challenges.

• "Helvis on Tour" (40:17, SD) offers footage that combines stage performances with backstage interactions.

• "Damselvis, Daughter of Helvis" (29:32, HD) is a reading of the 1994 publication, performed by writer/director John Michael McCarthy.

• "Supersexxx" (25:47, HD) is a reading of the 1993 publication, performed by writer/director John Michael McCarthy.

• Image Gallery (20:23) collects BTS snaps, publicity shots, and screening advertisements.

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Damselvis: Daughter of Helvis Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

As with most SOV endeavors, "Damselvis" suffers from production limitations, with McCarthy trusting in the vibe of the effort to cover for some weird location choices (an obviously rotting gas station is sold as a working business) and amateur performances. Nothing really happens in the movie, which visits a pizzeria and a Memphis pyramid, but McCarthy suddenly gets itchy in the final five minutes of the film, arranging a fantastic meeting of monsters to provide some last-minute voltage. It's a welcome arrival of actual physical danger and genre intentions, giving Damselvis's journey a sufficiently bizarre destination. Why this kind of idea isn't utilized throughout the picture is baffling, but McCarthy is keeping his cards close to his chest with this one, and the viewing experience doesn't benefit from his secrecy.