Joel D. Wynkoop’s new movie Beast Mode was shown for the first time a few weeks ago at the Tampa Bay Screams horror festival in Clearwater, Florida. As I might have mentioned a few dozen times, I am in the movie as newscaster Jordi Scrubbings. I want it to be a cult classic, viewed by thousands in indie theaters everywhere. But to get there, it has to be good. And so far, according to reviews, it is.
Here is a great review indie horror director Phil Herman posted on imdb.com. Parts about me are italicized by me. Perhaps acting can be another creative arrow in my quill. Even if this is my only role ever, Jordi Scrubbings will live forever in cinema, and that makes me happy.
Currently, Beast Mode is only available by contacting Joel Wynkoop. I hope to have DVD and Blu-Ray copies soon and hopefully it will be on a streaming platform in the near future. I will be sure to let everyone know.
Joel D. Wynkoop returns with another wild, energetic ride in Beast Mode!
Joel D. Wynkoop returns with another wild, energetic ride in Beast Mode a Low budget horror comedy that proudly embraces everything fans have come to expect from his filmmaking style: outrageous fun, over the top characters, practical effects, humor, heart, and pure independent movie passion.
Written, directed by, and starring Joel D. Wynkoop himself, Beast Mode tells the story of Mark Butters, an ordinary man with dreams of becoming a superhero. But instead of turning into the savior he imagines, fate has other plans when he accidentally transforms into something monstrous. From there, the film launches into a chaotic blend of horror, comedy, and creature feature madness that never takes itself too seriously and honestly works better because of it.
The Jordi Scrubbings Show opens the movie with a hilarious talk show host performance by Michael Lortz that perfectly sets the tone for the insanity that’s coming. It immediately throws you into the bizarre world of Beast Mode while introducing us to Mark Butters, played by Joel D. Wynkoop.
Busty Barbara and Happy Mary are absolutely hysterical in the opening sequence as they’re chased by a werewolf and handle the situation exactly how you’d expect in this kind of over-the-top universe. Their performances are genuinely funny and help introduce our humble but troubled hero, Mark Butters.
Mark is a character who mixes fantasy with reality, costing him both his job and his marriage. Beneath all the outrageous comedy and creature chaos, there’s actually something sad about him. As the film progresses, the innocent and humble Mark slowly festers on the edge, and by the end I honestly found myself feeling bad for him.
A special appearance by Bob Glazier as Mark’s grandfather is surprisingly heartwarming and leads into a montage that helps explain why Mark becomes what he does not the superhero of his dreams, but a monster instead. It adds an unexpected emotional layer to the madness.
What makes Beast Mode enjoyable is that it knows exactly what kind of movie it wants to be. This isn’t polished Hollywood horror it’s unapologetically independent filmmaking driven by creativity and personality. Joel D. Wynkoop has always made films for people who appreciate grassroots cinema, cult horror, and filmmakers who simply love making movies. That passion shows in every scene.
The practical monster effects and makeup have a gritty charm that old school horror fans will appreciate, and the movie keeps a fast pace with plenty of bizarre moments, laughs, and entertaining performances. There’s a fun “anything can happen” energy throughout the film that keeps it engaging.
The supporting cast also adds to the fun. Horror legend Lloyd Kaufman brings his trademark cult-film presence, while scream queen Debbie Rochon delivers exactly the kind of genre performance fans will enjoy. Anthony Wayne, M Catherine Wynkoop, Sean Donohue, Dustin Hubbard, Jose Dieguez, and Jim Tanner all help create the movie’s fun ensemble atmosphere.
One of the biggest strengths of Beast Mode is its personality. It feels handmade in the best possible way like a group of friends got together to create something entertaining for horror fans rather than chasing trends or studio formulas. That sincerity gives the film charm and makes it easy to root for.
Fans of underground horror, Troma style comedy, creature features, and classic shot on video cult cinema will likely have a blast with this one. It’s the type of movie best enjoyed with fellow horror fans who appreciate practical effects, outrageous situations, and filmmakers who wear their love for cinema on their sleeve.
And definitely stay through the end credits there’s a fun final scene that makes it worth it.
In closing, we seriously need a weekly Jordi Scrubbings Show. I loved every one of his segments.
Beast Mode isn’t trying to reinvent horror it’s trying to entertain, and it succeeds through enthusiasm, creativity, humor, heart, and pure indie spirit.
