After serving twenty-five years for committing a mysterious and violent crime, John is released from prison. Unfortunately, the first human contact he has is with a maniacal parole officer. John’s later experience with a condescending new landlord isn’t so great either, and together these encounters effectively establish the bleak and miserable tone that seems to characterize his life on the outside.
Nevertheless, John works to establish a routine as a way to counter his guilt and achieve a sense of normalcy. However, he soon loses his way when a would-be actress awakens certain deeply suppressed desires. These desires, in turn, trigger eerie hallucinations and disturbing nightmares that recall a criminal past best forgotten.
Written, directed, and produced by University of Arizona filmmaker and professor Patrick Roddy, this haunting horror film slowly builds suspense and anticipation by presenting horror as a waking nightmare. Striking black-and-white cinematography captures the stark atmosphere surrounding the protagonist, while a piano score in a minor key adds to the film’s ghostly tone.
Director/ Writer/ Producer/Cinematographer:
Patrick Roddy
Original Music:
Aaron Canfield
Editor:
J.T. Waldron
Sound Design:
Jason Canfield
Cast:
Gary Shannon
Shelley Farrell
Julie Ann Fay
Carol Anne Gayle
Charles McNeely III
Media
Cinephelia.com's Top 10 Indie Films of 2006
Roger Corman
"Visually stark and severe, a very good film"
Rue Morgue magazine
"”Mercy” is a bleak ride through existential torment that is irresistible"
Videoscope magazine
"strikingly original, unforgettable experience...true movie magic, of the deepest and darkest variety" - 3 1/2 out of 4 stars
The Phantom’s Annual “B”wards 2007 – Videoscope magazine
Best Actor – Gary Shannon
Winner of Four Accolade Awards
Award of Excellence - Feature Film
Award of Excellence - Leading Actor Gary Shannon
Award of Excellence - Art Direction
Award of Excellence - Direction
Official Selections
2006 Contraband Film Festival
2007 Peoria Film Festival
Winner Best Feature
Winner Best Actor
2007 Arizona International Film Festival
Cinema-crazed.com
“Great acting, top notch cinematography, and beautiful direction” - 3 out of 4 stars
Bloody-disgusting.com
"The performance from Gary Shannon is a revelation... "
Rogue Cinema
"bleak and unnerving...a haunting film"
B-Scared.com
B-Scared.com
"a blend of realism and the surreal...fascinating flashes of disturbing energy" - 3 1/2 stars
Cinephelia.com
Cinephelia.com
"some of the best indie film making you will ever see"
About.Horror.com
About.Horror.com
"disturbing...unsettling and thought provoking film"
Horrorveiw.com
"a very cool mash of social commentary and artsy creepiness"
Fatally-Yours.com
"beautifully bleak and brilliantly acted film"
Horror-Fanatics.com
Horror-Fanatics.com
"The acting by Gary Shannon as John Mercy is what really stands out in this film"
Best-Horror-Movies.com
"The tagline for Mercy is “…you’ll beg for it!” Believe me, I did."
Phoenix New Times
"Nervy storyline…gorgeous cinematography"
HorrorYearBook.com
"”Mercy” is a nightmarish little gem"
10KBullets.com
"Roddy is a talented filmmaker... Mercy’s surreal atmosphere is what sets it apart"
James Wegg Review (JWR)
“Patrick Roddy has shaped a moody tale of horror... surreal atmosphere that knocks on Kafka’s door”
KUAT-TV
“about as true to the auteur tradition as you can get”
Deadpit.com - the Creepy Kentuckian & Uncle Bill
“very David Lynch like...we’re not that smart, so we
don’t get films like this”
HorrorTalk.com
“Patrick Roddy's Mercy is a fascinating bit of filmmaking.”