The Frankenstein Syndrome (originally titled The Prometheus Project) is a 2010 American science fiction-horror film written and directed by Sean Tretta. Scott Anthony Leet stars as a murdered security guard who is reanimated by a research institute in the tradition of Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein. It showed in film festivals in 2010 and then was released directly to DVD.
| The Frankenstein Syndrome | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Sean Tretta |
| Written by | Sean Tretta |
| Based on | Frankenstein by Mary Shelley |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Eve Cohen |
| Edited by |
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| Music by | Lawrence Shragge |
Release dates |
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Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
editResearchers conduct secret and illegal experiments using stem cells. The researchers accidentally discover a serum derived from these stem cells capable of reviving dead cellular tissue. When a security guard, David Doyle, threatens to sue the research company and wants to leave the project, he is promptly murdered and used as a test subject.
David returns to life but, in the style of The Reanimator, David is not the same man he once was. Not only is his personality and memory changed, but he is seen to have acquired psychic and telekinetic powers, as well as increased strength and aggression. David begins to act out against the researchers, who all at once are his captors, murderers, and creators.
Cast
edit- Ed Lauter as Dr. Walton
- Louis Mandylor as Marcus
- Tiffany Shepis as Elizabeth Barnes
- Scott Anthony Leet as David Doyle
- Maya Stojan as Dr. Walton's Nurse
Production
editDread Central reported that it was in post-production in March 2010.[2]
Release
editAmerican World Pictures purchased the film in October 2010 and retitled it to The Frankenstein Syndrome.[3] MTI Home Video released it on July 5, 2011.[4]
Reception
editDarryl Loomis of DVD Verdict wrote, "The Frankenstein Syndrome isn't a great film, but for those into both Mary Shelley's beautiful novel and independent horror, you can do a whole lot worse than this."[5] Bill Gibron of PopMatters rated it 7/10 stars and wrote, "While some of the subplots and a few of the asides don't add up to much and the payoff promises something the movie might not be willing to breach, this is still a bold, audacious statement."[6]
References
edit- ^ "Phoenix Film Festival 2010 by InMedia - Issuu". 7 April 2010.
- ^ Foy, Scott (2010-03-25). "The Prometheus Project Births a Stem Cell Frankenstein". Dread Central. Retrieved 2014-09-17.
- ^ Barton, Steve (2010-10-22). "Exclusive: American World Pictures Nabs Rights to The Frankenstein Syndrome". Dread Central. Retrieved 2014-09-17.
- ^ Barton, Steve (2011-03-23). "Trailer Debut and Release Date – The Frankenstein Syndrome". Dread Central. Retrieved 2014-09-17.
- ^ Loomis, Darryl (2011-07-22). "The Frankenstein Syndrome". DVD Verdict. Retrieved 2014-09-17.
- ^ Gibron, Bill (2011-07-01). "Godhead: 'The Frankenstein Syndrome'". PopMatters. Retrieved 2014-09-17.