The film "Hypochondriac" links cinematic thrill with real illness that hits home for many viewers. The fact that it also was nominated in San Francisco here in the U.S. for Outstanding First Feature and won another award and nomination internationally speaks volumes.

Hypo like the wolf

The Very graphic anal male "love" scene was gross and UNNECESSARY. Not a bad flick, but when I think of it I am stuck remembering that scene alone so it kinda ruined for me cause I wasn't really down to watch a gay porno.

Ooof, I kept watching hoping for either fun or mayhem, but neither happens. What if there was a movie that documented a tortured mind and how they get treatment? This is it! In other words, yeah, if you want to see a re-enacted almost-documentary about mental disfunction then Hypochondriac is for you. There's no mystery, no suspense, no scares, just a predictable story arc.

If this movie isn't one giant delusion, you may wish it was during the closing credits. I just didn't get it, but it does have a strong performance from Zach Villa. There are several scenes here that make no sense in relation to the film. There are many head scratching moments that don't make sense. Visually, there is a lot here. It has a build, but once you realize where we're going that build is a letdown. Final Score: 4/10

Tackling Mental Illness Through a Queer Horror Lens

I saw Hypochondriac at Soho Horror fest in London, England -- and it brought the house down! Everyone loved it, myself included. The less you know about the film going in, the better -- but as cryptic as I can say this, there are SEVERAL scenes that will leave your jaw on the floor. Absolute MUST SEE!

Interesting flick. Light moments during the first 1/3 of the film gently transition into the darkness that comes. Zach Villa put in a solid performance surrounding an issue we all know about but rarely, if ever, understand. Solid cast, good story, evidently based on true events.

The movie was superb for me and it hit all the tones perfectly for a psychological horror thriller. The struggle of the main character with his family, friends and lover, due to his underlying childhood trauma, was aptly displayed. The movie slowly delves deeper and deeper into the psyche of a traumatized man who knows what's happening to him and its cause but is helpless against it. Both his will to fight and the despair that he faces, majorly forms the crux of the movie. The manifestation of his trauma and his troubled mind as a hallucination in a Donnie Darko styled character ( no connection to it though) cements the brilliance of the directing team. The film had everything it should have : good acting, the psychedelic episodes, the trance like scenes that the character often faces, nice bgm and above all, the flow of emotions and the acts that completely justify those emotions were the icing for this must watch psy-horror.

No idea what's going on here. Makes almost no sense, but that's how a lot of these "psychological thrillers," or whatever they are, play it. Every time. Yes, some mental illness and emotional dynamics, but it never takes off and goes anywhere. It doesn't accomplish anything.

More like student's movie, and grades of this student are barely c.

"Based on a Real Breakdown" and it feels like. Very glad this movie exists. Felt seen. Woo(l)f.

I really enjoyed this one, definitely was unexpected for me. Curious to see more from the filmmaker.

It was okay. Not too effective as a horror movie, but had a few great shots. The lead performance was on the stronger side.

Weak stuff here with this flick. While it attempts to link horror to real-life mental illness, it's depth of understanding is akin to that of Dr. Phil Show, more entertainment than actual psychology.

Hypochondriac is a raw, unsettling story of generational trauma/struggle, grief, and a chilling depiction of the realities of mental health within a family dynamic-- something many do not like to acknowledge and/or talk about. knowing that the story is based on the director's own life, relationship with his bipolar mother, and his own mental illness/breakdown makes the entire film that much more impactful. Taking away the classic horror aspect, I found the plot line of the main character trying so hard to put his traumatic upbringing behind him--having been raised by an unstable mother (who is bipolar, with episodes of psychosis)-- only for him to be forced to face his own demons and his worst fear of inheriting his mother's illness, to be something a lot of people can relate to on multiple levels. Although some may have wanted more backstory on the mom, limiting the mental health perspective to the protagonist was an honest portrayal of how the main character copes with the dark and later darker trials of his life and circumstance. The parts with the Wolf are sometimes overwhelming and distracting, but the visual representation adds to the storytelling. The comedic relief and LGBTQ+ themes also make the film stand apart from comparable films in recent years.

Unapologetically queer and deeply personal. A stellar leading performance from Villa and some very strong visual choices carry this simple psychological thriller. Anyone who's gone through something similar will find a lot to latch onto here and fans of horror will be greeted with both homage and subversion.