Holy Crap!* "Bug"

Well, Michael Shannon sure burst into the public consciousness in a big way with one of his first marquee roles, delusional Gulf War veteran Peter Evans in the suspenseful psychodrama from 2006, "Bug."

We didn't really notice him till his starring role in "Take Shelter" (a hit at Sundance in 2011) and then "Mud" the following year. But he was nominated for an Academy Award for a supporting role in "Revolutionary Road" in 2008. (He also had a part in the under-appreciated "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead" a year earlier.) You may know him from recurring appearances on HBO's "Boardwalk Empire."

In "Bug," Shannon explodes on screen in a role he originated on stage in the mid-'90s in this spooky, claustrophobic story from Tracy Letts that takes place almost entirely inside an Oklahoma motel room between Peter and Agnes (Ashley Judd), who is hiding out from her abusive goofball ex, Jerry (Harry Connick Jr.). Poor Peter is on the lam from the VA with some serious PTSD and paranoia, convinced that the government has planted bugs in him -- actual bugs, like aphids.

A lesbian pal of Agnes brought Peter to the motel room and left him there. Agnes, in a weak moment, goes for him. Soon they are lolling around naked and picking at each other like monkeys.

The legendary William Friedkin ("The French Connection," "The Exorcist" -- back to back) flings a lot in your face, setting it up as if it's a standard metaphor for a drug-addict love story. But as Agnes gets sucked into Peter's world the narrative spirals menacingly into a crazed psychedelia. Soon suspense spins into full-blown horror.

Shannon could convince you that he's actually in need of an exorcist. His convulsions are frightening. Just when one of the other actors threatens to compete with his hysteria, Shannon immediately cranks it up another notch -- until you find yourself exclaiming "Holy crap" over and over.

The rest of the cast are perfect foils. Judd is bold and vulnerable, bringing nuance to what could easily have been a cliched role. Connick is a wonderful blend of physical humor and menace, seamlessly completing the bizarre love triangle.

Friedkin's visuals -- bodily cuts and bruises, cellular-level images of blood -- grow exponentially freakish as this spectacle builds to a stunning climax. It's an exhausting 102 minutes.

It's Shannon's show, and the juicy role of a lifetime. Friedkin knows a demon when he spots one.

GRADE: B

* - Holy Crap is an occasional series about unique films, cutting a wide swath from brilliant to awful. Check out previous entries here and here and here and here and here and here. 

BONUS TRACK
The trailer