Lovecraftian Glory Hole Horror Glorious Doesn’t Need Pants to Impress
Films set in a single location are deceptively complex. While the filmmaker might not have to worry about scouting numerous spaces or traveling days between their various sets, that potential logistic ease brings up a whole new set of issues that multi-location shoots never dream of conquering. How the heck do you shoot one room in enough different ways to look interesting for a feature-length film? How do you craft an entire story arc without allowing the characters to explore new situations outside? And how do you create a story that makes sense to contain in one spot? Glorious takes on all of these questions and answers them with a little help from J.K. Simmons and H.P. Lovecraft.
These types of films are established enough to earn their own label: Chamber films. Obviously taking the name from the theater’s “chamber play” format, these movies have a few basic elements in common. They take place in basically one set. They take place over a limited amount of time. They have relatively few cast members. This might all sound like music to the ears of a limited-budget director, but these restraints put a sharper focus on storytelling, performance and editing than one might anticipate. The flaws are easier to see in this simplified format, as are the successes. For every pristine example (12 Angry Men), there is a disappointment (2012’s Elevator). It is a tough nut to crack.
Not only are chamber films budget-friendly, they are also more COVID-friendly than other productions, which brings us to Glorious. Director Rebekah McKendry took on this story—of the dark things that can happen in a men’s bathroom—during one of the darker times in our recent history.
Wes (Ryan Kwanten) is clearly going through something major when he rolls into an unspecified rest stop. He is screaming, crying, having flashbacks and an overall bad time when he comes upon that nugget of respite on the highway. Unlike most travelers, however, he starts chugging whiskey and burning stuff in the conveniently located fire pit. After passing out, he wakes in the morning pantsless and with a helluva hangover. Naturally, he heads into the rest stop’s men’s room to see what can be done to get back on his feet and moving along.
The bathroom looks fairly standard, neither filthy nor nauseating. It has two stalls, a few sinks and a healthy schmear of graffiti. The most remarkable feature of this bathroom is a glory hole going from one stall to the other, and the friendly and clear voice coming from the second, closed-door stall.
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