Rent This is Gwar (2021)

This is Gwar (aka This Is GWAR) review by Mark McPherson - Cinema Paradiso

Like many millennials, my first discovery of GWAR was through Beavis & Butt-head. I remember the music video starting and Beavis immediately shouting, “YES! GWAR!” My young mind became incredibly fascinated with this band, brandishing strange mutant makeup on their faces and wild stunts for their concerts, such as a giant worm puppet that ate people. Considering their devotion to such grotesque lore and demonic art, they were more than just a band. It’s surprising how long a documentary on their infamy took to be produced.

But, in a way, it’s not too shocking, considering how unconventional the collective became. They had all the makings of outsider artists than they did the traditional route of a heavy metal rock band. The group formed wild ideas and expanded into creating everything from comic books to music videos. They represented something more than a showcase of giddy horror and gore. They represented a burst of creativity that tapped into something being yearned for by Gen X.

What’s remarkable about this documentary is how it pulls back the curtains of rotted flesh, metal spikes, and gooey guts to reveal a beating heart of friendship. The comradery between the members of GWAR was a labor of love. It’d have to be considering how much effort it took to stage some of their elaborate concerts and characters. You don’t make something like this and expect it to succeed commercially. What’s fascinating is how GWAR did end up becoming a success, perhaps even more than the artists thought it would.

The film features interviews with those who brought their creativity to the group, highlighting the inspiring rise of their talents. Nearly every aspect of the GWAR phenomenon is covered, from their many albums to their TV appearances. It’s still amazing to witness the sight of the GWAR gang in full attire and character parading onto the set of the Joan Rivers show. There was an unparalleled commitment to this collective, where Balsac could stomp right up and deliver the most uproarious interview. The act was too good not to keep it going into such venues.

But we can’t live forever, and a touching nature covers the inevitable falls of GWAR. Even if you’ve never heard of Balsac and Jizmak, this film gives enough context to care for this band as it starts to splinter with time. There are interviews with notable celebrities (Weird Al, Thomas Lennon) who were fascinated with the group and drew great inspiration from their work. There’s something about that staging that makes the death of Dave Brockie sting extra hard for his drug overdose and a case for why the GWAR should go on.

As someone who only passively knew of GWAR in my youth, it’s amazing to see how it flourished (and continues to flourish) within this documentary. It’s heartfelt and nostalgic while highlighting the grit and spirit that still makes the band iconic. I only listened to GWAR a little back in the day, but this good film inspired me to listen to everything. Maybe even fire up that Beavis & Butthead commentary again, for old time's sake. Those were some good times with GWAR, and they’re worth remembering in this film, which earnestly shows warmth and charm for a giant worm that ate people and covered a concert crowd in filth.