Movie Reviews

Revisiting ‘Mister Organ’: The most terrifying documentary of the year

A whole lot of talk.

November 21, 2023

Mister Organ is one of the strangest documentaries you will ever see. The first time I watched it, I was intrigued by the titular character. His antics, demeanor, and checkered history are at the center of a documentary that starts innocently enough. After watching it a second time, I came to realize that Organ is one of the most terrifying people I have ever seen on film.

Initially, documentarian David Farrier was covering the odd story of cars being clamped for parking near an antiques shop. It was extreme – people were being charged over $700 for having a boot removed from their car – but even Farrier admits that it was all kind of silly. His investigations eventually led him to Michael (or Micheal) Organ. It would not be long before things became much more serious.

What We Do in the Shadows introduced the world to Colin Robinson, an energy vampire who would drain energy from his victims instead of sucking their blood. Mister Organ presents a real life version, and it is nowhere near as funny. Farrier learns how Organ has angled his way into various people’s lives. While there, he uses and manipulates them before moving on to the next person. Those affected see their lives changed for the worse, with some of the cases ending in tragedy.

mister organ

Though there is more awareness than there has ever been, there are people who still turn a blind eye to toxic relationships. Those who are in them find themselves trapped, often blaming themselves. Meanwhile, friends and family do not want to get involved, hoping things get better. There is also the all too common idea that the toxic person can be “fixed”.

Mister Organ is a frightening watch not due to any violence it shows or the intelligence demonstrated by its subject. There is little action and though Organ has a way with words, he does not come off as exceptionally smart. He is just a normal person who leeches on to others and wears them down in order to get what he wants. Many times, it seems like what he craves most is to satisfy his ego.

Revisiting 'Mister Organ': The most terrifying documentary of the year

Much of the film is spent watching how Organ seems to operate while Farrier is his victim. It is strange to watch how the self-proclaimed prince becomes a part of the fillmmaker’s life before simply wearing him down. There are no overt threats (though plenty of veiled ones) as Organ suddenly shows up and never leaves. His method of abuse is to simply talk and grind down his target until they do what he wants. It almost sounds innocent.

But it is about more than just a boring person who knows how to filibuster. Various people who have been involved with him are interviewed and each one is mentally and emotionally devastated by the experience. Watching Farrier also showcases the damage Organ can do. Mister Organ is one of the scariest watches of the year.