What happens when a 2000s rap-rock icon directs a psychological thriller starring one of Hollywood’s biggest names? You get The Fanatic — a film that somehow manages to baffle, amuse, and offend, all at once.
Fred Durst, frontman of Limp Bizkit and a familiar face of late-90s rebellion, took a swing at filmmaking back in 2019. The result? A strange, unsettling, and controversial movie that many still rank among John Travolta’s most bewildering career moves.
Travolta’s Role Raised Eyebrows Long Before Release
Durst didn’t just direct The Fanatic — he co-wrote it, too. The film features Travolta as Moose, a man coded to be on the autism spectrum, who becomes obsessed with his favorite action star, Hunter Dunbar, played by Devon Sawa.
Travolta went all in. Wig, accent, mannerisms — nothing was held back.
Some critics admired the commitment. Others called it “cringe theater.” And for viewers on the autism spectrum or close to neurodivergent communities, the portrayal of Moose felt less like a character and more like a caricature.
The film aimed to walk a tightrope between psychological thriller and character study. But instead of striking balance, it stumbled into something many couldn’t figure out whether to laugh at or be appalled by.
A Story Pulled From Durst’s Real Life—Sort Of
Durst said the story was loosely based on his own run-ins with obsessive fans.
Over the years, the Limp Bizkit frontman has faced a variety of strange encounters—some funny, others unsettling. That experience seems to have shaped the script for The Fanatic, with Durst and co-writer Dave Bekerman crafting a tale of fandom turned dark.
But here’s where it gets weird.
Moose isn’t just a movie buff. He’s fixated. Dangerous. The kind of fan who doesn’t just wait outside for autographs—he breaks into your house.
Durst wanted to explore the boundary between admiration and obsession. But the tone veers wildly from thriller to unintended comedy, and that shift left viewers confused more than intrigued.
Critics Called It A Mess, Audiences Weren’t Kind Either
It made under $5,000 in its opening weekend. No, that’s not a typo.
Rotten Tomatoes? Sitting at a grim 17%.
Reviews slammed everything from the writing and direction to Travolta’s “cartoonish” performance. Some likened it to The Room, the infamous 2003 disaster that became a cult classic for being “so bad, it’s good.”
Others didn’t find any of it funny—just offensive. The depiction of Moose’s mental state was seen by many as exploitative.
Here’s the problem: the movie never made clear whether it was satirizing fame, criticizing fan culture, or just playing things straight. So it ended up doing none effectively.
One line in particular — Travolta as Moose whispering “I can’t talk long, I gotta poo” — went viral. But not in a good way.
Some Viewers Defended It—Sort Of
They’re a small group, sure. But they exist. And for them, the movie is camp gold.
It’s weird. It’s messy. But they say that’s what makes it memorable. They argue it was misunderstood, or at the very least, more ambitious than it gets credit for.
There’s also a certain charm to seeing a rockstar like Durst stepping behind the camera. Even if the results are, well, chaotic.
A few defenders even compared it to Mother! by Darren Aronofsky—another polarizing film about obsession and boundaries. That’s a bit of a stretch. But hey, cinema is subjective.
Travolta’s Late-Career Choices Keep Getting Stranger
Here’s where things get even more fascinating.
John Travolta has had a rollercoaster of a career. For every Pulp Fiction, there’s a Battlefield Earth. And The Fanatic just might be his most baffling project yet.
But Travolta doesn’t seem fazed by any of it.
He’s spoken about the role with pride. Said he took a risk. Said he worked closely with Durst to shape Moose’s world.
And while most critics dismissed it, Travolta’s fans (the loyal ones, at least) appreciated the effort. They saw it as another entry in his “I’ll try anything” phase.
The gamble didn’t pay off. But it wasn’t boring. And sometimes, that’s enough.
Breaking Down the Mess: Where It All Went Wrong
To understand The Fanatic better, let’s break it down:
| Element | Intended Outcome | Actual Result |
|---|---|---|
| Direction | Psychological suspense | Tonal chaos |
| Acting | Deep character portrayal | Cartoonish performance |
| Message | Commentary on fan culture | Confused and muddled |
| Reception | Festival acclaim or cult status | Critical disaster |
| Legacy | Filmmaking credibility for Durst | Meme material and internet mockery |
No part of this film did what it was supposed to. And yet, it’s still being talked about six years later.
So… What Now for Durst and His Movie Dreams?
Since The Fanatic, Fred Durst hasn’t helmed another major feature.
He’s been back on the road with Limp Bizkit. Still performing. Still drawing fans. Some of whom, ironically, probably look a bit like Moose.
Durst hasn’t commented much recently on the movie. But back in 2019, he stood by it. Said it was personal. Said he learned a lot.
Maybe he did. Maybe he didn’t.
Either way, The Fanatic lives on—as one of the strangest footnotes in both rock and Hollywood history.
And that’s something neither Durst nor Travolta are likely to forget.
