4 star spooky Halloween anthology.
Tales of Halloween consists of 10 different short stories, interwoven in one small American town over the course of one halloween night. The stories are linked together by the local DJ (Adrienne Barbeau – The Fog, Creepshow), who narrates the evening’s events.
“Trick or Treat?”
Sweet Tooth, an urban legend of a child who was denied candy, who turns up on Halloween to terrorise any children who do not share their candy with him, directed by David Parker (The Hills Run Red, The Dead Hate the Living).
The Night Billy Raised Hell, the story of a young kid, who is tricked by his sister into playing a prank on the next door neighbour and is taught what a real Halloween prank is, by the not so wholesome guy next door, directed by Darren Lynn Bousman (Saw II, III, IV).
Trick, a group of child trick or treaters turn out to be rather more aggressive and ingenious than expected when they crash an adult Halloween party, directed by Adam Gierasch (Night of the Demons).
The Weak and the Wicked, a tale of revenge, sought on Halloween night by a young man, wronged many years before, by children with no fear of the law or retribution, directed by Paul Solet (Grace, Dark Summer).
Grim Grinning Ghost, a Halloween tale, told to frighten a young woman at a party, turns out to be disturbingly accurate when walking the streets or sitting at home alone, directed by Axelle Carolyn (Soulmate, The Halloween Kid).
Ding Dong, a woman who desperately wants children goes nuts at her husband and become the wicked witch, with her husband as Hansel, to lure unsuspecting youngsters, directed by Lucky McKee (All Cheerleaders Die).
This Means War, a deadly battle breaks out in the suburbs between rival neighbours, who have very different opinions as to what constitutes a good yard display, directed by John Skipp (Monsterland) and Andrew Kasch (Clowntown).
Friday the 31st, a man accustomed to dealing death and terrorising others bites of more than he can chew when he tangles with an angry little alien, directed by Mike Mendez (Big Ass Spider, Lavalantula).
The Ransom of Rusty Rex, two would be kidnappers learn that not everything is always as it seems, as the child they take turns out to be rather more of a handful than expected, directed by Ryan Schifrin (Abominable).
Bad Seed, a cautionary tale about the perils of organic farming, as a pumpkin goes on the rampage while the local police try to get on top of the events of the evening, directed by Neil Marshall (The Descent, Dog Soldiers).
Tales of Halloween is a very enjoyable watch, backed up by some serious horror pedigree. The special effects aren’t amazing, neither is the acting, but that doesn’t matter. What this film does in spades is capture the spirit of Halloween. There are plenty of scares, buckets of blood and copious amounts of trick or treating.
A must see for the scariest night of the year.
“As the holiday activities begin, the streets are filled with all kinds of creatures of the night. Some wear masks to disguise their dark intentions, others prefer to hide in plain sight.”
Tales of Halloween is available to buy now on DVD and Blu-ray
| Director | Darren Lynn Bousman, Axelle Carolyn, Adam Gierasch, Andrew Kasch, Neil Marshall |
| Genre | Horror, comedy |
| Starring | Caroline Williams, Robert Rusler, Clare Kramer, Barry Bostwick, Katie Silverman |
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