Vulcanizadora (2025) - Reseña de la Película

      Vulcanizadora, 2025.

      Directed by Joel Potrykus.

      Featuring Joshua Burge, Joel Potrykus, Bill Vincent, Solo Potrykus, Jaz Edwards, Sherryl Despres, Scott Ayotte, Melissa Blanchard, Dennis Grantz, G. Foster II, and Michael Saunders.

      SYNOPSIS:

      Two friends embark on a journey through a Michigan forest, determined to fulfill a troubling pact. The film follows two middle-aged friends exploring the woods of Michigan, and one might wonder where co-star, writer, and director Joel Potrykus intends to take Vulcanizadora—an equally perplexing title that, besides sounding nonsensical, provides little insight. It's evident that these friends possess distinctly contrasting personalities and attitudes about their outing.

      Joshua Burge’s character, Derek, is more outgoing and eager to enjoy himself, while Joel Potrykus’s Marty remains indifferent, seemingly reluctant to be there at all. Is he in a state of depression, with Derek attempting to lift his spirits and remind him how to enjoy life? This interpretation seems plausible, given that Derek’s notion of fun leans towards childish antics, reminiscent of youthful escapades like digging up old adult magazines, blasting heavy metal while camping at night, igniting snake fireworks, and launching bottle rockets in empty Gatorade bottles. He even courts danger by asking Marty to aim a firework near his face as a foolish stunt aimed at gaining social media attention.

      However, this doesn’t clarify the ultimate direction of their adventure. At certain points, the film adopts an excruciatingly slow pace, indulging in cinematic depictions of the pair navigating through the forest, occasionally showcasing aerial views of their gradual descent down a hill, underscoring the emphasis on ‘gradual’. This can be somewhat infuriating, yet just enough context is provided to keep us engaged in discovering the purpose behind their journey.

      Without going into extensive detail, Vulcanizadora unveils that Derek and Marty are experiencing midlife crises. From this point, an awareness of what they aim to achieve through their seclusion sends ripples through the rest of the narrative, evolving into a grim dark comedy that explores existence (trying to remain vague here). A pivotal event occurs, leaving one character with a burdened conscience, prompting a nervous, paranoid attempt to confess and take responsibility, only to find the world indifferent to such revelations. Viewing the film casts this scenario in a deeper, darker social commentary that is hard to dismiss, ultimately compensating for a sluggish beginning that teeters on the edge of unbearable.

      Having collaborated previously, it’s clear that Joshua Burge and Joel Potrykus are in sync, both delivering heart-wrenching performances that highlight themes of social rejection, isolation, and an overwhelming sensation of life closing in on them. They are also ill-suited to support one another, fostering self-destructive and detrimental behaviors. In the end, Vulcanizadora serves as a subtle, muted cry stressing the necessity of pursuing therapy for mental health issues, particularly among emotionally reserved men.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

      Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association, Critics Choice Association, and Online Film Critics Society. He also serves as the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Check here for new reviews and follow my BlueSky or Letterboxd.