Watch Catechism Cataclysm

Catechism Cataclysm is a 2011 comedy-horror film directed and co-written by Todd Rohal. The film stars Steve Little as Father William Smoortser, a priest who is sent on a sabbatical by his superior to reconnect with his faith. On his break, he meets up with his former childhood friend Robbie Shoemaker (Robert Longstreet), who agrees to take him on a canoe trip down a river in the wilderness. The trip takes a turn for the bizarre when they encounter a mysterious stranger named Jim (Wally Dalton) along the way.

The film is divided into two parts. The first half of the film takes place in a small church, where Father William is shown delivering an awkward, meandering sermon to his unimpressed congregation. The scene is meant to establish his character as a bumbling, somewhat out-of-touch priest who is struggling to connect with his flock. Immediately after the sermon, his superior reveals to him that he has been granted a sabbatical and instructs him to take a break and find his faith again.

Father William signs up for a canoe trip with his old friend Robbie, who he hasn't seen in years. The two begin their journey down a river, with Father William trying to connect with his friend and get him to open up about his life. Robbie, however, is a man of few words who seems content just to paddle along and soak in the scenery.

As they float down the river, they encounter a strange man named Jim, who is fishing off the side of the water. Jim is eerily quiet and seems to be sizing the two up, but they decide to invite him to join them on their trip. From there, the tone of the film becomes increasingly surreal and absurd, with the three men engaging in bizarre conversations and activities along the way.

The second half of the film is where the horror elements start to come into play. Father William realizes that something is very wrong with Jim, but is unable to convince Robbie, who thinks he's just being paranoid. As the three of them continue their journey, they encounter a series of strange and unsettling events that culminate in a truly bizarre and disturbing finale.

Throughout the film, the humor is dark and offbeat, with a lot of awkward pauses, uncomfortable silences, and unexpected twists. The performances from the three leads are outstanding, with Steve Little in particular standing out as the bumbling but lovable Father William. Robert Longstreet is a great foil to Little's character, playing Robbie as a tough, no-nonsense guy who's not easily ruffled. And Wally Dalton's performance as Jim is suitably creepy and unsettling, balancing a calm veneer with an undercurrent of danger.

Overall, Catechism Cataclysm is a strange and unique film that defies easy categorization. It's part comedy, part horror, part buddy movie, and part existential rumination. The film is not afraid to be weird and experimental, and while it might not be to everyone's taste, those who appreciate offbeat humor and boundary-pushing storytelling will find a lot to enjoy.

Catechism Cataclysm is a 2011 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 15 minutes.