“Love Object” may be one of the more disturbing movies you will watch. The 2003 horror film was written and directed by Robert Parigi. It features a cast of no-name talent (save for Rip Torn) and includes a garrison of dark humor.
In its 84 minutes, “Love Object” applies the internet technology of the early aughts and the twisted mind of an incel. The finished product is strange. Not great. Not terrible either.
Kenneth Winslow (Desmond Harrington) works in a cubicle. He visits sex shops and frequents porn websites. He has an unhealthy approach to women in that he really likes them but can barely speak to them. Kenneth acquires a life-sized sex-doll called Nikki and a bizarre relationship with her ensues.
“Love Object” feels like a flop from the 80s. The tone of the film and the content itself brought to mind a bottom shelf rental from Video-to-Rol. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
The horror comes from a psychological corner. The viewer can assume Kenneth is bonkers. That he’s a harmless freak with women issues. But there are other elements that make us question if in fact Nikki is actually alive and jealous when Kenneth begins courting his beautiful co-worker Lisa (Melissa Sagemiller).
One of my Top 100 is “Lars and the Real Girl,” and one can see how “Love Object” could have had a hand in influencing the creation of that film. The Nikki doll is spooky. I couldn’t imagine any scenario in which I would want to be in the same room as it. So creep vibes come from the uncanny valley.
The two top stars do a very good job. Desmond Harrington and Melissa Sagemiller have credits that span twenty years of film and television and a wide breadth of genres. The legendary Rip Torn plays Kenneth’s obtuse boss, Mr. Novak.
There isn’t much else to say. “Love Object” is an obscure sort of movie. It’s weird. It’s different. If you are looking for a challenge this October, you could do a lot worse.
