Danger Diva (also known as Devi Danger) is a 2017 film by Robert McGinley, writer/director of Shredder Orpheus. The script was initially written in 1993, finally being made and released decades later. While Shredder Orpheus focused on Classical Mythology, Danger Diva is inspired by Hindu Mythology, particularly Kali's dual positions of goddess of death and rebirth, and the divine feminine mother, Devi.
The film takes place in Seattle some time in the near future, where tech moguls use brainwaves of the poor to power their machines like cattle. Devi Danger (Molly Sides of Thunderpussy) is a rock star who seems to have it all, but secretly yearns to be heard in a softer light. When a riot at her latest concert lands her in jail and on the outs with her band, especially the drummer Scattering Flynn, it seems her dreams are crushed. Enter billionaire Stanley Arkoff with an offer too good to refuse—a cybernetic implant that will enhance Devi's voice to unheard-of levels, letting her finally be seen and heard as an opera singer.
But the deal's more sinister than Stanley lets on—terminally ill and terrified of dying, he needs a child to transfer his consciousness into to live forever. And with Devi's voice having just the right tones to control the masses, his plan begins. With help from Scattering, Devi must break free of the corporate brainwashing and decide what her fate will be on her own.
This movie contains examples of:
- Brainwashed: When the corporate thugs catch up with Scattering and Devi, Scattering becomes one of the mindless brain cattle while Devi is hypnotized into becoming their diva, controller of the masses.
- Canon Welding: An interview
confirmed the film is set in the same universe as Shredder Orpheus, with both films being set in Seattle, having the Grey Zone as a place for the poor, shared technology like hypno-pulses, Shredder actors being cast in similar roles, and sharing high-concept mythological themes. - Creator Cameo: Robert McGinley plays bit parts as one of the brain cattle and the rock concert sound mixer.
- Death Equals Redemption: At the last second, Stanley realizes he is okay with dying and begs for the chance for his son to live a normal life.
- Disney Acid Sequence: Devi's first outing as an opera singer is intermittently viewed through a kaleidoscope, giving the effect of multiple limbs and heads.
- Familial Body Snatcher: Stanley's plan is to transfer his consciousness into his son in a bid to live forever.
- Glorified Sperm Donor: Stanley doesn't want to have a kid, so Devi is artificially inseminated with his sperm and left to deal with it on her own. Except not; when they tried she was already pregnant with Scattering's child.
- How Do I Shot Web?: At first Devi isn't sure how to use her newly-enhanced voice, and learns to control it with the vocal coach Adrian.
- Incurable Cough of Death: Stanley's terminal illness makes itself known with rough, persistent coughing.
- Just Think of the Potential!: The main reason Calvin Yamachi tries to go through with the mind transfer against Stanley's request is for the potential it can offer humanity, as well as the allure of a Nobel Prize.
- Mind-Control Music: Under Stanley's wing, Devi is able to both energize and soothe the masses, letting them power the corporate machines with brainwaves.
- Mortality Phobia: Stanley Arkoff is so willing to stay alive he's willing to implant his brain synapses into a hypothetical future child. Subverted in the end, when he relents and begs to be allowed to die naturally.
- People Farms: The poor, under Stanley's control, are used to power machines with their brainwaves. They're termed 'brain cattle' to the point where they even graze, and any activity they take place in is strictly VR to keep them placated.
- Raised as a Host: Stanley's sole motivation for having a child is to transfer his consciousness into it so he can live on.
- Sequel Hook: The last scene of the movie implies Stanley is still alive, hinting at more to come.
- "Shaggy Dog" Story: Stanley's goal is to transfer his consciousness into his child to keep himself from dying. In the end, not only does he renege on this plan when it's time, it wouldn't have worked anyway since the child is Scattering's, not his.
- Super-Scream: After getting the enhancement, Devi's voice is so powerful it can shatter glass, triplex, and even kill people.
- Time-Passes Montage: More than a year passes in a montage as Devi shows signs of pregnancy and has her child.
- We Were Your Team: After Devi's time in jail and Stanley making a job offer, the band tries to go on without her with a new frontwoman, Chamomile. Instead, the tour completely falls apart and the band breaks up, with Scattering telling Devi that they couldn't go on without her.
- Wham Line: The ending of the movie reveals in a single line that Devi's child was Scattering's, not Stanley's. Shortly after, the final line of the movie reveals Stanley's consciousness may still be alive in a test tube.
- "What Now?" Ending: The movie ends with Devi, Scattering, their child, and the now-freed masses standing in the rain wondering what to do next, while Adrian hints that Stanley is still alive.
