The Occultist

My review was written in October 1989 after watching the movie on Unicorn video cassette.

Originally titled "Maximum Thrust", this minor voodoo pic is another leftover title from Empire Pictures' 1987 production slate. It's being released direct to video.

Rick Gianasi plays Waldo Warren, a private eye hired by reps of the island of San Caribe to protect their president (Anibal Llleras) during a New York visit. The prexy's lovely daughter (Jennifer Kanter) supports revolutionaries out to assassinate her dad.

Filmmaker Tim Kincaid mixes two extremes of campy acting here for a novel though somewhat cryptic effect. Most of the cast performs in monotone, robotic fashion (fitting the subject matter that involves macumba trances and even cyborgs) while other thesps overact outrageously.

There's one good plot twist involving two assassination attempts, but pic's resolution is unconvincing. Tech credits are pro but quite modest.