The Restoration of Grayson Manor

Glenn McQuaid brings us into the colorful (in every sense) world of legacy, sex, and monstrous overtone. Welcome to The Restoration of Grayson Manor, and all its double entendres for dysfunction, identity, and frivolity.

Matriarch Jacqueline’s obsession with son Boyd producing an heir comes with debasing strings attached, but disguised as a favor. Jacqueline poo-poos Boyd’s career as a pianist, which further strains their already thin bond with her disapproval of his sexuality. Following a one-night stand on the grounds, and an “oops, I forgot to change out of your nightie” to rub it in mummy’s face, a freak accident in which Boyd saves his mother from death ultimately severs Boyd’s hands at the wrists.

To motivate Boyd to keep living, Jacqueline claims to bring in a world-renowned team of doctors and therapists, creating him a one-of-a-kind set of bionic hands. As Boyd slowly lets his guard down with nurse Lee, his connection with the bionic hands grows stronger. Boyd’s emotions begin to control the hands, but their actions play out his deepest, most vengeful desires.

Gabriela Garcia Vargas plays Boyd’s therapist. Her unresolved trauma, triggered by drugs, creates another dramatic, over-the-top addition to this already wacky screenplay. Daniel Adegboyega is a treat, delivering a presence that wavers between Dr. Frankenstein and a sexy lap dog. Declan Reynolds is genuinely charming. I loved every single second of him. Reynolds is the only grounded character in the entire film. Alice Krige is a genre legend. If you haven’t seen her in She Will, how dare you. Chris Colfer is a snarky bitch, in the best way possible. Krige and Colfer have delicious chemistry. I could watch them ping-pong insults all day long.

The film is the epitome of queer camp. The dialogue, by McQuaid and co-writer Clay McLeod Chapman, is searing vitriol. The costumes are vibrant; the production design mixes a crumbling mansion with light-saturated medical tech. The pace dips at points, but if you’re choosing a film like this, you’re not there for some profound life revelation. The script gets weirder and weirder, with all the kooky kills a genre fan could desire. The film has a perfect ending once you understand the bitchy mother-son dynamic. A touch of Misery, Edward Scissorhands, and every John Waters film ever made, The Restoration of Grayson Manor is ultimately a campy romp, and we, the audience, are just along for the ride. McQuaid never apologizes for style, nor should he have to. The queer camp horror catalogue has a new member. Act accordingly.

*What do you mean you’re dressing up as the bionic hands from The Restoration of Grayson Manor for gay Halloween?*

directed by: Glenn McQuaid
written by: Clay McLeod Chapman & Glenn McQuaid
starring: Chris Colfer, Alice Krige, Daniel Adegboyega, Declan Reynolds, Gabriela Garcia Vargas, Matthew McMahon, Issac Cairns, Dave Byrne
produced by: Brendan McCarthy, Deirdre Levins, Thomas Herberth, Florian Brüning, John McDonnell

runtime: 90 Minutes
language: English
country: Ireland

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