By Robert Scucci
| Revealed
The concept of enjoying video video games till the world ends might sound like a number of enjoyable in the fitting setting, however 2018’s Relaxer will make you assume twice. Set in 1999, simply earlier than the Y2K apocalypse, Relaxer isn’t a kind of feel-good tales about getting along with your folks, chugging Mountain Dew, consuming pizza, and happening an epic multiplayer journey. As a substitute, it’s a solitary trudge by way of an remoted world of apathy and decay. It’s a tricky watch, even nauseating at instances, but when your online game behavior is inflicting issues in your day-to-day life, Relaxer could be the wakeup name you’ve been on the lookout for as a result of it pulls no punches.
Set virtually totally on one man’s sofa, Relaxer is claustrophobic, filthy, and sufficient to make you wish to flip the Nintendo off and step on some grass. If you may make it by way of this one with out tasting that metallic, “I’m about to throw up,” taste on the again of your tongue, give your self a pat on the again for being sturdy willed and possessing the sort of intestinal fortitude that escapes me.
The Final Slacker Comedy
Relaxer begins with our hero, if you happen to may name him that, Abbie (Joshua Burge), enjoying Tony Hawk’s Professional Skater and chugging milk every time his older brother, Cam (David Dastmalchian), appears up from his stopwatch. This “problem,” as they put it, is the most recent in a protracted line of failed makes an attempt the place Abbie faucets out as a result of he makes himself sick chasing no matter excessive rating or report is in entrance of him.
Sitting in a pool of his personal vomit, Abbie guarantees Cam, who’s rightfully pissed off together with his slacker brother’s lack of contributions to hire and utilities, that he’s going to do the unthinkable. Legend has it that if he can doc himself passing stage 256 of Pac-Manone thing that has solely been executed as soon as earlier than, he’ll win $100,000 and cease being such a burden. Cam reluctantly agrees to help him by way of the problem, underneath one situation: Abbie can not even take into consideration leaving the sofa till he accomplishes what he got down to do.
Taking Cam’s situations severely, Abbie will get to work however rapidly runs into logistical issues. Sooner or later, he has to eat, drink, and use the toilet, and he has to make do. At a number of moments all through RelaxerCam throws on a pair of 3D glasses that he believes give him telekinetic powers when the second is correct. It’s by no means made clear whether or not Abbie really positive aspects something mystical whereas carrying the glasses, however sufficient unusual coincidences encourage him to lean into the thought as he makes an attempt to beat the unbeatable Pac-Man stage.
Know What You’re Getting Into
Whereas Relaxer’s premise is ridiculous by itself, the execution is totally nauseating. Abbie is dressed solely in underwear, that are clearly dirty because of the situations of his wager. When plumbing pipes burst, he will get sprayed with their contents. When the home windows break, the weather pour inside. When someone stops by, it’s both an acquaintance providing expired meals from the fridge or an exterminator about to bug bomb the place despite the fact that Abbie refuses to depart.
Abbie sits by way of all of it, for months, perhaps even years. He makes use of a reaching stick to gather rainwater from the damaged window, almost asphyxiates himself with noxious chemical compounds, and wallows in a lot filth that if he ever beats the sport, he’ll both be caught to the sofa or bodily unable to face. It’s all so disgusting. To make issues worse, each single character in Relaxer is catastrophically unlikeable.
Whereas Relaxer might really feel like an endurance take a look at in each conceivable means, it does a superb job of getting its level throughout. It’s meant to be unappealing to all senses. It’s meant to point out how determined Abbie turns into in pursuit of his problem. It’s meant to be uncomfortable and claustrophobic. It’s virtually as if writer-director Joel Potrykus made this film particularly to hassle individuals, and in that case, he succeeds in each measurable means.
As of this writing, Relaxer is streaming without cost on Tubi.