Spectral Steamworks
- Tagline
- In gears and ghosts we trust.
- Description
- In an alternate Victorian era where cybernetic advancements mesh with the supernatural, 'Spectral Steamworks' tells the tale of a quirky entrepreneur, played by Nick Noodle, who unwittingly awakens a mischievous spirit while renovating his steam-powered factory. Anna Quiche Nilsson stars as a cyber-augmented medium whose expertise blurs the line between technology and the paranormal, while Arnold Schwarzen-nugger delivers a riveting performance as a stoic demon hunter with a heart of gold and a penchant for one-liners. Under the whimsical direction of Hayao Meowazaki, this family faces the horrors of survival with a humorous twist, where laughter might be the only thing scarier than the dark. Will the blend of spectral scares and cyberpunk sensibilities lead them to salvation or doom?
- MpaaRating
- R
- PopularityScore
- 1.30
- ReleaseDate
- 01/12/2023
- Genre
- Family
- Director(s)
- Cast
Critic Reviews
7.50
With cogs turning and spirits burning, 'Spectral Steamworks' chugs along the tracks of ingenuity and lands squarely in the station of entertainingly odd. Nick Noodle's portrayal of a bumbling industrialist is as endearing as it is slapstick, giving us a comedy of errors that makes one wonder if he's running a factory or a circus. Anna Quiche Nilsson, the cyber-augmented medium, delivers a performance so electric, you'd think she's powered by the very steam engines the film obsesses over. But it's Arnold Schwarzen-nugger, with his steely gaze and iron-clad quips, who truly bolts this film together. 'I'll be back... with a wrench,' he growls, and we chuckle, knowing full well he's screwing with the demons in more ways than one. Hayao Meowazaki's whimsical direction is a bizarre fusion of east meets west, like sushi wrapped in a Yorkshire pudding; it shouldn't work, but it's quite the savory surprise. Despite the 'R' rating, which seems to stem more from supernatural snark than from blood and guts, this film offers a steamy, spectral spectacle. It's like watching a seance conducted by a mad scientist—utterly perplexing but you can't look away. 'Spectral Steamworks' doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it oils it well with laughter and a touch of the macabre, proving that sometimes, the best way to confront your demons is with a good belly laugh and a mechanical arm.