The Midnight Horror Show

Good evening, everyone! I'm Mr. C Reviewer, and tonight we'll be diving into the film The Midnight Horror Show, It's also known as Theatre of Fear. I had the opportunity to watch the movie on Netflix. This movie originally premiered on September 8, 2014. The movie had a runtime of 1 hour and 21 minute. It is rated for viewers aged 15 and older. Notably, parts of the film were filmed in Wales, UK. As an individual on the autism spectrum, I've experienced first-hand the significant benefits of subtitles. They have been instrumental in improving my comprehension of dialogue, allowing me to fully engage with the film's narrative. The film was directed and written by Andrew Jones. I appreciate how several crew members were featured in the opening sequence as part of the audience for the show; personally I find it to be a delightful touch when filmmakers include such details within their movies.

Summary: The Moreau family, a group of outcasts, travels across the United Kingdom, performing an underground show that hides their sinister activities as the late-night hours transition into early morning.

Review: -I found the film's opening, introducing the show's host, initially intriguing and well-executed. However, this positive impression quickly dissipated. The narrative then shifted to two characters attending the show, one of whom volunteers and enters a box, only to vanish when it's reopened. I believe the film would have benefited from starting sooner, allowing for more character development to enhance the impact of their disappearance. I appreciate how the film delves into the intricate dynamics of family dysfunction and unwavering loyalty, alongside profound explorations of evil's essence and the compelling drive for retribution and revenge. I found the movie's pacing to be quite slow, especially during the initial half, which struggled to build excitement and capture my full attention early on; it never truly gained momentum, even in its final part. I found the film's atmosphere to be dreary and lacking in genuine tension or suspense, primarily due to its excessive obviousness and numerous vague. The attempts at creating fear often came across as more peculiar than frightening, and I was largely unimpressed by the supposedly shocking scenes, finding them neither surprising nor particularly scary. I felt the movie leaned more towards unintentional comedy than horror, yet it wasn't even effectively funny, leaving me mostly shaking my head in disbelief rather than experiencing any sense of dread. I found the acting to be surprisingly decent, with the cast making a noticeable effort to engage with the material and exhibiting more natural chemistry than anticipated. While not always seamless, and at times feeling a bit stilted as if actors were waiting for their cues, the performances were generally acceptable. A particular highlight was the compelling performance of the creepy puppet, especially its autonomous speech. I believe the film would have benefited from a more robust exploration of the two main brothers' characters. I found the dialogue to be unnatural and excessively wordy. Despite these shortcomings, I did find myself somewhat drawn into the character interactions, even with the dialogue's noticeable flaws. I found the sound design to be a significant detractor, particularly the overly loud and often misplaced music during build-ups and audience reactions, which contributed to an amateurish feel. The overall musical score felt ill-suited to the film, though the heart-beating sound effect, while a nice touch, also seemed somewhat out of place. The extended scenes featuring only music and lip-syncing, without dialogue, felt excessive and detracted from the viewing experience.

-I appreciated the film's commitment to practical effects for its gore, which provided a welcome tangibility compared to digital alternatives. However, I found that much of the on-screen violence, especially in close-ups, lacked realism; the prosthetics often looked unconvincing, with unnatural skin movement and injuries appearing too rubbery or overtly fake. The vibrant red blood, while visually impactful, frequently struck me as artificial rather than genuinely lifelike. I appreciate the dual perspectives offered by the show host and their family, as it allows for a deeper understanding of their personalities. While a gang focusing on missing persons investigations was compelling, I would have preferred the film to initiate with the team actively engaged in an investigation, rather than introducing such scenes seemingly at random later in the narrative. I found the film's cinematography to be notably constrained, with a preponderance of close-up shots and a distinct absence of wide-angle perspectives. This stylistic choice, I believe, likely served as a cost-saving strategy, minimizing the necessity for extensive location scouting and elaborate set designs. I appreciated how the film, despite its low budget, skilfully crafted a somewhat creepy atmosphere, demonstrating a colourful sense of artistry. While the visual colour palette and overall cinematography were amateurish, drearily lit, and clearly indicative of a low-budget production, they nonetheless contributed to its unique aesthetic. I found the editing to be choppy and disorienting, particularly during the horror sequences and transitions between segments. While I appreciated the unconventional editing style somewhat, interpreting it as an intentional artistic choice to enhance the film's chaotic and unsettling atmosphere, the rapid-fire cuts and disjointed narrative ultimately hindered the storytelling, even if it aimed to evoke unease.

-I found the film's conclusion to be quite satisfying, particularly because it mirrored the opening, creating a pleasing sense of narrative symmetry. I felt the ending of the film suggested potential for a sequel, and although I initially looked for one, I found no indication of a newer film. Even if a continuation were released, I doubt I would personally invest my time in watching it, unless I had absolutely nothing else to do. I found the song accompanying the ending credits to be a perfect fit for the film's conclusion. The visual presentation, featuring still images from the movie enhanced with a subtle motion effect, complemented the music beautifully and provided a reflective closing experience.

I rate each film I watch out of 10 and for this one, I give it a 4.4 Remember this was what I thought about the movie personally and I suggest that you give it a go for yourself.

This movie may not have the best special effects, the biggest budget or the best acting. But overall I really enjoyed it! A very original movie that was made with love. Some low budget shots may be funny but also very creepy. It really reminded me of those classic 70s horror movies like leatherface. It may not be the best movie out there, but it's definitely an interesting experience.

Really just a poor man's 'The Devil Rejects' as the plot mimics aforementioned film,deranged murderous family are tracked down by deranged murderous avenger. This is a competent film that is let down by it's low budget origins.And as with every horror film made nowadays,everything is in place for a hoped for sequel. Though I can't see it happening in this case as the DVD has ended up in the chain of Britain's 'Poundland' discount stores.

The majority of the unknown cast do well,no Oscar winners but a level above the usual amateur hour players these films attract. The gore effects are well done and the sets are adequate. Basic story is family of misfits run a travelling circus that happens to actually kill people during the magician's act,thus setting up the vengeful pursuer of one of the victims.

The father apparently kills because he likes it and the rest of his family just help him. But they have their problems too,brother and sister sibling rivalry,the son who plays the clown longs for true love though he is disfigured,the ventriloquist brother who is in two minds with his dummy. The same as all vents in films from 'Dead of Night' to 'Magic' amongst others.

So,therefore not a bad film but I was left rather unmoved because as in the 'The Devil's Rejects' I found all the characters unpleasant and unlikeable. Bad things happen to bad people,so they say, but in this case I just didn't care one way or the other.

It certainly was. Avoid this film at all costs. It started off as if it might be OK it soon turns out to be far from OK.

Was drawn into seeing 'Theatre of Fear', with a cool poster/cover, an intriguing though far from original premise and as someone with a general appreciation for the genre it fits under. That it was low-budget, which from frequent personal experience is rarely a good sign due to that there are so many poor ones out there (though there are decent to good ones as well), made me though apprehensive.

It is sadly however yet another film seen recently, hence some reiteration because the exact same strengths and flaws present in those films are here, that to me was incredibly disappointing considering its potential which it doesn't do anywhere near enough with. 'Theatre of Fear' is really very weak, with its infrequent decent points but with so many huge flaws and doesn't do anywhere near enough with its potential, which was quite a good deal. There is very little good here.

'Theatre of Fear' does have an eerie setting and was expecting far worse acting than what is seen here, it's not great still, somewhat over-the-top in spots, but effort to engage with what they're given to work with can be seen. The chemistry is there too and it is more natural than expected.

Going on to the negatives, the story does feel over-stretched and some of it comes over as vague and under-explained in the last third where the film especially became duller, more predictable, more senseless and less unsettled and never gaining momentum. All the characters are too sketchy and with nowhere near enough to make one be properly intrigued by them. There is still frustrating decision making going on but that aspect is definitely done much worse in other low-budget recent viewings, sorry to go on about this asset but it has become a bugbear of mine and difficult to ignore.

Sound quality is obvious and utilised cheaply (being too loud in the build ups and people's reactions) and the effects are laughable.

Dialogue can be stilted and rambling while the pace and film drags on forever, apparent from the very start, never recovering that interest is lost fast. The ending has no build-up and just ends ridiculously. Found too many of the supposedly shocking moments not surprising or scary and the atmosphere dreary, due to the excessive obviousness, a lot of dumb and vague moments and explanations and the lack of tension and suspense. Thrills are none, thanks to stodginess and excessive over-familiarity, and found myself never invested in the drama, which tended to be dully paced and statically directed.

A lot of 'Theatre of Fear' has really dull and going nowhere plot elements and often not so convincing character motivations, while too many of the things to make you shocked are far from creative or unsettling. It all feels rather tame.

Nothing freaky or interesting, no development and too derivative, while everything is unimaginative and are more odd than scary, completely failing to show any sense of dread. There is nothing interesting or illuminating with what the film was trying to do and the drama is overwrought with no momentum and a lot of weirdness. The direction is leaden, got the sense their heart was not in it, and the music is ill-fitting. It is very amateurish visually with its low budget being all too clear, too drearily lit and shows no care in the way it's shot. In this regard only the setting stands out in a halfway decent way.

In summary, weak. 3/10 Bethany Cox