In a continuing series by Ghost Cult’s photo and video editor, Omar Cordy, he pops in from time to time and gives his take on the creative output of musicians and personalities from the industry, be it films, graphic novels, cool side-hustles, interesting hobbies, and other endeavors; Ojayy will have his say!

Yes, that Fred Durst. The Fanatic is the Limp Bizkit front man’s third directorial feature. Those other two are The Education of Charlie Banks and The Longshots if you really must see them. Co-written by Fred and Dave Bekermen, The Fanatic doesn’t bury the lead. It’s more than a thriller about an actor and a fan turned stalker or entitled fan. It is a good take of how some fans feel towards their favorite celebrities, in this case, they act on it.

John Travolta stars as Moose, a slow and downright on the spectrum adult fan who feels slighted by his favorite Hunter Dunbar, played by Devon Sawa (Final Destination, Slackers, SLC Punk!, and Eminem video for “Stan”) It starts of all light and innocently as Moose tries to get an autograph and catches Hunter at the wrong time. When he’s in the middle of having an issue with his ex-wife and son. Yes, it’s true that without your fans you’re nothing, However, there needs to be boundaries and just common courtesy with running into them in public places. Crossing those lines can be dangerous for everyone.  I wonder how much of this story was inspired by real-life incidents. A lot of this dialogue feels likes things all these may have had to say or he heard from actual fans. 

Because of  Moose’s mental stake, this makes this a very unique stalker story. It brings it into areas you don’t normally think of when you think of crazy fans. There’s great tension throughout and all its a good study for mental health. The events unfold drastically once Moose gets to Hunter’s house. Could Hunter have seen that Moose was a bit unbalanced and handled him differently, its possible? It does make it big hard to be mad at Moose, he’s basically a child who got to meet his favorite actor. But because he’s an adult, he becomes a threat. He’s very much in the mold the character Lenny from Of Mice And Men. 

I have no idea what it feels like to have someone coming to your home. I’ve seen a few news stories over the years about actual stalkers and to watch Travolta spiral into one of those people is chilling. Like most of them, they don’t see what they’re doing as wrong. Include his character’s mental health, it makes him truly unpredictable.  Even with his one friend who thought it was harmless to show star maps tries to stop him. With no luck we watch it turn from stalking to survival.

So this is what Fred has been up to in between Limp Bizkit’s activities. It’s shot, written, and acted wonderfully. Keep it coming. Its morbid and realistic look at fandom. This one of those movies that will have you talking for a while after. Catch it on Amazon Prime Video. 

Highly recommended

OMAR OJAYY CORDY