Directed by Pamela Moriarty
Written by Eric Wolf
Starring Lori Petty, Corbin Bernsen  and Judd Hirsch
Running time 97 minutes

by Nikk Nelson

I have a soft spot for independent filmmaking. I’ve participated in several short film competitions as a writer, script supervisor and assistant editor and what I’ve learned more than anything from those experiences is that making a movie, even one that’s five minutes long, is a very long and difficult process. Any completed feature film is a miracle. When you’re working independently with things like inexperienced actors and a microbudget that limits everything from locations to props and effects, it’s even more of one. A Deadly Legend (2020) is as independent as they come. What drew me to reviewing it were the names in the cast. Growing up watching L.A. Law (TV) and Major League (1989), Corbin Bernsen has always been one of my favorite actors and Lori Petty starred in a trio of films that were on a constant rotating basis for young me: Point Break (1991), Free Willy (1993), and In the Army Now (1994). Throw in Judd Hirsch and I’m double sold.

First, don’t expect this film to knock your socks off. All of the hallmarks of low-budget filmmaking are here. A relatively inexperienced cast has trouble carrying the piece. The script is a jankety generic séance/ghost story/possession/murder demon horror story. It’s shot very competently but not with the kind of experience that uses the camera to truly support a unique or consistent mood and atmosphere. Sets, costumes, makeup effects and props put the budget limitations front and center. So, as far as a recommended audience for this one goes, I see two possible camps, and I belong to both. First, if you thoroughly enjoy independent films and filmmaking, there’s plenty to appreciate. I for one love sitting through movies like these just to see the handful of really cool shots and story moments they do manage to pull off. I also love picking out Easter Eggs, usually references to other movies, as a peek into what may have influenced the writer and/or director. I caught, whether conscious or not, nods to Creepshow 2 (1987) and Aliens (1986).

The second camp is the ‘so bad it’s good’ crew. Popularized by shows like Mystery Science Theater 3000, Rifftrax and one of my favorite web series, Red Letter Media’s The Best of the Worst, watching a “bad” movie, especially with friends, can be a lot of fun. It’s not with any sort of mean spirit that I call movies like Troll 2 (1990) or Ninja III: The Domination (1984) “bad”. There’s a lot to admire and appreciate about them. Despite everything, the heart and the passion stand out. I think the same can be said for A Deadly Legend. Lori Petty chews the ever-loving shit out of every piece of scenery she gets her teeth on. The padding in the script to get to feature length is dopey and nonsensical, but fun. The story makes little to no sense but I applauded the ambition. And I always think it’s cool if/when young actors have a chance to work with seasoned veterans like Corbin Bernsen. I hope they learned a lot and had a good time. In the end, the movie does the best it can with what it has.

Available to watch on demand.