MovieChat Forums > Laid to Rest (2023) Discussion > Why Chrome Skull has No Backstory..

Why Chrome Skull has No Backstory..

posted 16 years ago by Live-Evil
19 replies | jump to latest

Yes, this lack of backstory is one of the main criticisms about which I’ve read from many others. If anything, we get the clichéd, dicey background about some vengeful social misfit who vents his rage on those who arguably deserve it and/or society in general. Yes, is it ever that much different, and how much of a difference does it ever really make?

Did Rutger Hauer in the HITCHER have a cheesy ass backstory?

Is that really why we watch such movies anyway? Of course not! In reality, we mostly watch slasher films for the very things that Laid to Rest concisely and copiously delivers–blood, guts, gratuitous gore, and killings galore! No pedigreed gorehound can walk away from this one without at least being satisfied on that level.

If you want more, maybe you’re looking for something different anyway. Maybe wanting more and watching Laid to Rest is like watching a movie you know you won’t like, just wanting to gripe about something. Well, from this point forward, let it be known that you have been warned about what exactly this movie is. From this point forward, if you watch it anyway, spending your time and money on it anyway, then maybe it’s really you who should be criticized.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] SkaTroma 16 years ago

I dont know about the acting across the board being bad, Kevin Gage was good, but he usually is.

[–] yejide001 16 years ago

Yeah, I agree with you SkaTroma.

LOL I just figured ChromSkull was an ex-exployee of the funeral home. J/K
Who knows...

speaking of acting... the lead actress of this film will be in the remake of Night of the Demons.

later~

[–] scrapmetal7 13 years ago

its a smorgasbord!!!!

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] docdespicable 16 years ago

Actually, the lack of backstory on Chromeskull is, for me, a positive selling point! Knowing the background on a character - say Freddie Krueger or Jason Voorhees - provides, if not an actual handle on the character, then at least the illusion of understanding them. And if you have that handle (or even the illusion), you feel safer because you have the idea that you can use it, exploit it, manipulate it.

Chromeskull, on the other hand, takes me back to the original concept of HALLOWEEN's Michael Myers. We had no information on Michael, except that, for some reason, he killed his sister on Halloween, spent 15 years in an institution in a virtually catatonic state, then came back and went home to finish the carnage. Why? Who knows! We have no idea what his motivations are, what feeds his madness, what is in fact the source of his evil - only that he comes and goes on the shadows of the night, and kills and kills and kills.

And keeps coming back.

It's the enigmatic nature of the character that I find frightening, and I'm delighted that the makers of LAID TO REST chose to take that direction. I loved the movie and recommend it whole-heartedly!

[–] phantasm17 16 years ago

^^^^^ AGREED!!

[–] slave2moonlight 16 years ago

I rather liked this film, especially compared to other modern slasher flicks. As for the backstory issue, the commentary gives indication that they left that for any possible prequel. I think that is a new trend with horror films, so we may see more and more in which the killer has no backstory, so if the film does well, the backstory will come next. Basically, it's better than having the killer inexplicably return to life again and again.

[–] FortySecondStreetFreak 16 years ago

No backstory is fine. But some reasoning for him being shot in the chest and digging the bullets out only to be unharmed would have been nice.

[–] Live-Evil 16 years ago

So sick of people saying that -

When Chromeskull gets shot he repairs himself with some obvious medical knowledge (like a surgeon). And then when he catches up to the girl in the car we see him breathing heavy and taking some hits are taking a toll on him.

He is human - and he shows it. Just pay attention.

[–] FortySecondStreetFreak 16 years ago

*beep* you and your attitude! You're obviously in some way connected to the film anyway.

And I would love to know what (and indeed how) medical knowledge he has which enables him to take bullets to the chest, dig them out and then go on a massively extended chase (not that the screenplay had the victims actually get anywhere!! LMAO!) and multiple fight rampage without any physical troubles at all except for him getting a little out of breath for a second!
OH! As well as the various other stab wounds **he's already received** to his eye, shoulder and leg!!

Pay attention indeed.

And once again...cut out the smart mouth arrogance.

[–] phantasm17 16 years ago

"You're obviously in some way connected to the film anyway."

How do you know that and what does it have to do with the poster's enthusiasm for the film? I thought this film was excellent and I'm not affiliated with the filmmakers at all. After seeing this film, I'm hoping that I will be someday though!

Also, given your screen name, I can only assume that, just like me, you're a fan '70s exploitation films. LAID TO REST is as good or better than scores of those movies, IMHO.

[–] bentleymrk 16 years ago

He carries around a lot of medical equipment, so it seems logical that he's a doctor or even a surgeon.

I've never seen a film where people who say they hated it spend so much time analyzing it! :)

[–] phantasm17 16 years ago

"He carries around a lot of medical equipment, so it seems logical that he's a doctor or even a surgeon.

I've never seen a film where people who say they hated it spend so much time analyzing it! :)"

Good points!

Besides, getting shot doesn't mean that you'll die or even that you'll be incapacitated. In fact, that's exactly why Delta Force commandos have been begging for a more lethal round than the 5.56 NATO ever since Mogadishu. I had no problem with that part of the story at all.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] walterkovax 13 years ago

i can't stand when people complain about this movie not having a backstory. obviously none of those people have ever seen a slasher movie from the 70's/80's. that's what makes slasher movie so good is that you have no idea why the killer is killing people. and that's what this movie was, a throwback to 80's slasher movies. so shut the *beep* up people and go watch SAW or some stupid *beep* like that if you want a movie with a story.

[–] espojay 13 years ago

It gives enough backstory to make the movie enjoyable. He's a surgeon (in my mind he cut out his vocal cords, because he never makes a sound, and that's just *beep* cool)

Do we need to know why he's going after these girls? No. Lack of motive makes it scarier. Look at Michael in the original Halloween (before #2, so Laurie wasn't his sister in our minds.) He had absolutely no reason to be going after these babysitters. He just did. That's why it was scary. That's what makes Chromeskull so cool. He has no reason to be doing anything that he's doing. He just is.

The Titanic sinks, Bruce Willis is a ghost, and Henry is the killer.

[–] dementa42 13 years ago

or maybe there is no backstory because its in the sequel? lol
They sure give alot of info on him in the sequel, not everything, but u sure get an idea how this goes on, is funded, and how he gets away with it to the say the least, also there is another scene after the credits in the second that tells even a bit more

[–] mikebourkefan 12 years ago

ChromeSkull has a little more of his story explained in laid to rest 2. he is a rich guy with paid employees ck just happens to be a brutal killer with money

Rob Zombie is one of the greatest movie directors today