Lore

I gave this anthology an extra star for Richard Brake alone, maybe the best character actor in horror...and the most underrated. If you want proof, go to YouTube and check out his Doomhead monologue, from 31--another case of Richard Brake being the only good thing in a mediocre/bad movie. This is standard mid-size town horror festival anthology. Acting isn't terrible but the only believable, only menacing character is...Richard Brake's character, of course. Four young people meet Brake's character in the woods--no I don't know his character's name--for a "once in a lifetime experience".

Basically, they're taking turns telling scary stories around the fire. First segment isn't bad; a little predictable, but the acting was okay. Second segment was kind of pointless. The third segment was okay, I like the black humor and the nod to folk horror (obvious nod to Kill List) and the last should appeal to slasher fans...not my favorite subgenre, but I know I'm in the minority.

He biggest problem with the film is that Brake is so believable when the other characters were pretty much very unbelievable young adults (why the hell would you follow and extra-creepy Brake into the woods for an unnamed "once in a lifetime experience"?).

Filmmakers, I'm begging you--give this man the horror movie he deserves. He is effortlessly sinister in that uneasy still way that is far more realistic and far scarier than some screaming maniac. He's the only thing worth watching in 31. He was the scariest character in Barbarian. He was funny-creepy in Mandy. But for the most part, I find myself watching unworthy movies just to see Richard Brake. As far as this movie goes? It's not awful. Not even that bad, by Tubi standards...but it isn't nearly good enough to waste a perfectly good Richard Brake.

A group of friends camp out and tell scary stories. A guy meets with two thugs whom he owes money to, and a monster shows up. A mother and son move into a new home and are haunted by an ethereal woman. A guy signs up to wife swap but ends up in a cult ritual. A masked killer shows up at a movie theatre.

It's low budget, but well-acted, shot, and scored, with some effective scares and practical FX. The stories are a tad predictable and there was a pair of annoying non-resolutions. The final story has some inside-jokes for movie buffs.

It's worth a go for horror fans, but there's nothing especially remarkable about it.

I wasn't expecting a lot out of this since most anthologies I've seen are a mixed bag of good & bad short stories. The setup was good & the stories around the campfire gave me 'Are You Afraid of the Dark' vibes.

I've never seen Richard Brake before, but his performance was great. His few lines were well spoken & his facial expressions really gave him the proper creep factor. I wish he'd had a bigger role.

The other actors did fine. They were able to make their roles as friends gone camping believable.

The stories told were ok to pretty good. My favorite is the movie theater one. That one had the best acting & best antagonist in my opinion.

The frame story leaves much to be desired. The synopsis is misleading since the consequences are vaguely shown in a blink & you'll miss it scene & whatever happened to the story tellers is left to your imagination.

SCORE: Frame Story - 4 Tales - 6 Overall - 5 Recommend - Watch on Tubi if you're interested. If you miss it being free I suggest a cheap rental, like $2 max.

Top clash anthology from some great up and coming British filmmakers.

Bookmarked by the excellent Richard Brake, that menacing smile works perfectly, we could have a new Crypt Keeper on our hands. There's certainly plenty of room to develop from this well paced hour and a half.

Four completely different stories, some better than others but not a dud one in the bunch. The first two being pretty dark and the second two much more lighthearted.

The time flew by, I'm off to research the directors, can't wait to see more of their work.

This movie should tick horror fans boxes, I really hope it finds an audience.

Watched at Dead and SudBuried 2023.

This got fave reviews mainly from Frighfest sycophants (Kim Newman) but not even the wonderfully creepy Richard Brake (wasted) can save this ' been there, done that' horror.

None of the stories seemed fresh, the first story had a decent monster (similar to Split Second), the last had a decent set up with a masked killer in a cinema but they all seemed tediously unscary.

Like a group of college students let loose with cameras and no script as well as no knowledge of previous portmanteau horrors.

The end makes no sense and what could have been better use made of Mr Brake is a wasted opportunity.