These days, it’s quite easy to settle in and find an anthology themed horror film or television show. Simply because creative minds in the horror biz know the value, they provide fans of scary stories with, and they are more than happy to indulge us in the wonder of bite sized tales of terror that pack a punch and rattle our souls. But while it is great to know that Shudder has these on tap and that other streamers and networks, and studios are ready to keep them coming… it wasn’t always this easy to find anthology horror stories. Because back in the day, the thought of offering up a smaller scale horror story was unheard-of and believed to be nothing more than a niche market for a handful of horror fans out there.
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But there was one horror anthology show that paved the way for Tales from the Crypt and Creepshow and all the other stories we now enjoy. For back in the 1980s, horror maestro George Romero, wondered if by chance an anthology show that provided real scares and featured incredible writing could pull in an audience and captivate them, and in 1983… he decided to try and answer that question by working with Richard P. Rubinstein to create Tales from the Darkside. A weekly anthology horror story that would air via syndication and both push the envelope and tear it with the scares and the gore, which was a huge deal in the ultra-conservative 80s, and well… we here at Nerds That Geek thought it was high time to properly re-examine this series from beginning to end and all the highs and lows it provided fans with, starting with the series premiere, ‘Trick or Treat’.

Which is in fact, a high for this series for several reasons. In part because of its high production values for 1983, and its compelling performances and eerie visuals. And of course, it doesn’t hurt at all that George A. Romero penned the screenplay himself and his masterful words and commentary provided us with a supremely engaging tale of terror. One that introduces us to a grizzled old miser named Gideon Hackles who terrorizes his hometown in quite the unique and relevant manner. For he is the richest man in town, and he’s happy to use that to his advantage. Because he uses his vast resources to put the town in his debt, wherein he can hold great power over everyone and tease them and manipulate them and the only hope these people have of being free from his brand of cruelty… is through his Halloween shenanigans.

Because on Samhain’s special night, he allows for the children of the town to enter his home with one goal in mind… to find the paperwork outlining the debt of their parents and if they do, they can have those debts wiped free. Provided of course, they can survive his house of horrors since he has spooky traps and surprises set up for the kids and well… this segment of the story is really about the monster that is man. Since Gideon scares those poor kids to near death with glee. That is until a real collection of monsters shows up to provide a little karmic justice, the kind that puts Gideon in the hell he belongs in, and of course… allows for the town to finally be free of Gideon’s shackles by giving the bravest kid in town all the paperwork… and a cash bonus.
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Which is just… a wonderful story through and through. One that feels realistic in nature and really is creepy for certain. Because the jump scares here, work, and the addition of the witch and the other monsters here, combined with the visuals that present them… creates an air of horror that one would have only found at the movies back in ’83 and the wonder of this story doesn’t end there. Because Gideon and this town… are in many ways… commentary on the wealth inequality that was beginning to brew back in 1983 and of course runs rampant now and watching a rich guy toy with and tease the townsfolk here regarding money and debt, really does feel akin to the games that rich people play with lives in 2022. Making the commentary here prophetic in nature and incredibly poignant and powerful. 

But what is truly impressive about this particular episode, is that despite being thirty-nine years old and looking a little rough on DVD because of time and how the source material was recorded … it holds up incredibly well visually and structure wise. In fact, a 4k remaster would likely allow for this story to hold up today on air and be lauded as a beautiful throwback to the era. Not to mention, it also carries some powerful nostalgia. For anyone who rewatches this episode, that grew up watching this show in the 1980s on a Saturday Night in their jammies… will be taken back to that very moment and feel the wonder of the show wash over them again, and hopefully, that feeling stays with this writer in the days and weeks ahead… as we dive into every last episode of this stunning horror series. One that laid down the foundation for horror to become as mainstream as it is, right now. Until next time, try to enjoy the daylight.

​It can be terrifying to think about what goes bump in the night for many people. It seems like for some reason the light will protect us at all times, but the darkness houses something sinister. When growing up and using night lights to keep a little area free and clear of whatever is trying to get us, many of us would not feel safe without it. As we get older, we know that there are no monsters in the closet or under our beds, but that does not change the fact that they could be hiding somewhere else in the house.

Getting laid down to sleep, young Bethany needs something extra to help put her at ease. Having her mother sing her a nursery rhyme, the little girl is sad that her father is not home to add a sense of protection for the family. Being awoken in the middle of the night to her mother calling her, Bethany follows the sound of her voice and tries to make her way down to the kitchen where she is being called to, but her real mother steps in. Hearing the same haunting calls to the kitchen, Bethany’s mother does not know what is happening, but will do anything to keep her little girl safe.

Locking the door to her bedroom, Bethany’s mother listens as her voice echoes throughout the house looking for the little girl. Not knowing who it could be, she listens to the intruder make her way up stairs and open the door to the room. Hiding Bethany in the closet and arming herself, the woman is ready to take a stab at whomever is tormenting them, but when the door opens, there is no one there. Trying to put her daughter at ease, Bethany sees the intruder and shuts her eyes only to find that her mother is missing and the calls for her punishment are just beginning.

Chilling little film here that really plays with your mind, especially when you wonder who the other woman is that is calling out to the young girl. Bethany is forced to listen to her mother and whomever this other person is throughout the short, wondering what the other voice really wants. Closing her eyes and counting to five to make the bad person go away is something that most kids are taught, since there is no such things as ghosts, but when opening her eyes to see her mother is gone, well, that just defeated the practice hands down. With my love for things that give you chills, this film delivered just that as you get to meet the voice who only has eyes for the young Bethany. Stay Scared.

It is definitely safe to say the horror anthology is enjoying quite the renaissance right now. For this cherished format of storytelling, one that faded into the background for a short while… is now being used often by creatives within the genre, as evidenced by the arrival of Creepshow and the waves of anthology horror films that are popping up on the market and to top it all off… they’re so popular again that new franchises are starting to come forth from some of those very movies, as evidenced by today’s announcement from the world’s premier horror streamer, Shudder.
 
For earlier today, they released the cast and director lineup for the anthology horror comedy, Scare Package II: Rad Chad’s Revenge, the follow-up to the wildly popular Shudder original Scare Package, and well… this impressive lineup speaks volumes as to how much audiences are eager to enjoy top tier anthology stories right now and well, without further ado… here is the lineup in question, courtesy of Shudder.

‘Shudder, AMC Network’s premium streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural, and Paper Street Pictures announced today the cast and director lineups for the horror-comedy SCARE PACKAGE II: RAD CHAD’S REVENGE, the anticipated sequel to the popular anthology film SCARE PACKAGE, streaming exclusively on the service later this year. Co-created by Aaron B. Koontz and Cameron Burns, the comedic sequel brings back many of the first film's most beloved characters, including Rad Chad himself, Jeremy King, Final Girl Jessie, played by Zoe Graham, and Rad Chad’s video store foil Sam, played by comedian Byron Brown. Additional cast joining in on the madness include Rich Sommer (Mad Men, Summer of 84), Kelli Maroney (Chopping Mall, Night of the Comet), Graham Skipper (Beyond The Gates, VFW), Maria Olsen (Paranormal Activity 3, Starry Eyes), and Shakira Ja’nai Paye (Obama’s Other Daughters, the upcoming House Party reboot).
 
The sequel also features returning director Anthony Cousins, with a sequel to his previous segment entitled THE NIGHT HE CAME BACK AGAIN PART VI: THE NIGHT SHE CAME BACK, with star Chelsey Grant. New directors include veteran actress Alexandra Barreto (All Americans, Mayans M.C.) with her segment WELCOME TO THE 90’S; Australian filmmaker Rachele Wiggins (Deadhouse Dark) with the segment WE’RE SO DEAD; UK filmmaker Jed Shepherd with his segment SPECIAL EDITION, which reunites him with cast members from Shudder’s sensation HOST, which he co-wrote and produced.
 
SCARE PACKAGE II: RAD CHAD’S REVENGE immediately follows the events of the original with the survivors attending the funeral of “Rad Chad” Buckley, which quickly devolves into an elaborate series of death traps centered around Chad's favorite films, forcing the guests to band together and use the rules of horror to survive the bloody game. 
 
“Sequels have such a maligned, but significant part of horror history, so we couldn’t resist tackling the tropes that we know and love so well from our favorite horror franchises,” said Koontz. “But we knew that in true sequel fashion we’d have to go bigger, funnier and gorier, and this batch of filmmakers embraced that challenge in every way!” 
 
Producing alongside Koontz and Burns are Ashleigh Snead and Alex Euting, with Shawn Talley and Farrell Rose co-producing all for Paper Street Pictures. This is the sixth collaboration for Paper Street and Shudder, having released the aforementioned SCARE PACKAGE in 2020, alongside RLJE’s Horror-Western THE PALE DOOR, and the Emily Hagins-lead SORRY ABOUT THE DEMON, which is set to debut later this year, among other titles. The deal was negotiated by Emily Gotto on behalf of Shudder and Aaron B. Koontz on behalf of the Paper Street pictures.’

Young, old, new or experienced, everybody wants to know if ghosts really exist. While you might find some creepy footage on the internet, if you did not witness it firsthand, everything can be viewed as a hoax. While so many people want to believe that ghosts do exist, it is so hard to find anything 100% credible enough to convince the world. While that may be the case, keep those cameras rolling and keep trying to find proof of the paranormal, because even though not everyone will believe you, you know what you saw was real.
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Being a little bit excited after getting an email from the French family that their farm is experiencing a ton of paranormal activity, Carl Medland does not know what he is getting himself into. Arriving at the property to see plenty of creepy mannequins all around the place, he is able to put that in the back of his mind and is dying to speak to the owners. Seeing Lucy French working in the kitchen, Carl gives a little knock on the window and is welcomed into the older couple’s home. With pleasantries all around, Carl is excited to hear what the couple has been witnessing and the strangeness from the get-go, does not disappoint.

Talking with Darren about what happens in the dining room, Carl is able to witness one of the doors shaking during the interview, but that is not what really concerns the family. With the events picking up at night, the family reports seeing a strange light from their picnic area on the side of the property.  Making their way to check it out, Carl sees a secluded spot and promises to take a look when the sun goes down to see about the reported lights. As the day is slowly starting to turn into night, Lucy and Darren retreat to their caravan for the evening while their new friend will try to prove that they are not crazy.

With all of the things that Carl has found out from Lucy, he is upset with himself that he did not get to ask as many questions as he wanted about the couple’s missing daughter, Jessica. But he might be able to find out more as the night moves on, since she might be keeping an eye on him while he is in the house. Checking out the picnic area first, Carl comes across a man in a mask that does not seem to like to be filmed and he chases the ghost hunter off. Returning to the house and being able to communicate with Jessica using an electric orb, Carl quickly finds out that she is not the only spirit hiding out in the house. Needing to find out what the message is that the dead daughter is giving him, Carl has no idea that his night is going to get even more out of control.

I must admit that I expected a little more ghostly activity with the title being Paranormal Farm and all, and while there is some, a freaking mask wearing clown is stalking the house as well. Now that is freaky as you see at least one clown making its way to finding out what Carl is doing, and the ghost hunter does not seem to mind it, so that was a little strange. The ghost hunting aspect of the story was put front and center as you get to see other things happening around the house and a ton of orbs flying towards the camera. While the acting might not be the best, it fit the story just fine and Lucy is really one of a kind, especially when it comes to talking about meeting the Beast on the farm grounds. With an inexperienced ghost hunter, a couple with a haunted house, a caravan, a clown, some freaky mannequins, orbs, possessions, talk of the Beast and a lasagna dinner to die for, this is an interesting take on the found footage ghost hunting genre that takes a turn for the worse when you find out what is really happening on the farm. Stay Scared.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Four of ‘Shining Vale’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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We tend to believe that when good things flop into our laps, when we’ve been going through utter hell, that the dark times are over, and our best days are ahead, and it makes sense as to why we hold to that. Because genuinely difficult times bring us to our knees and when we are at our lowest, we will take whatever win comes our way because we need hope, and we need to believe that this mess can end and well… while it is a good thing to latch onto hope when we need it the most… it is unwise to truly put all of our stock into a good luck streak. For the universe tends to ebb and flow and can take away the good as quickly as it delivered it on our doorstep.
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Which means that the true path to sustained joy and the way back, is dealing with the situation at hand and its root causes so that it truly comes to a complete resolution and really, this tough lesson is top of mind today, because it was one that Pat, and Terry had to learn in the next episode of Shining Vale on STARZ. For when we catch up with the family in ‘Chapter Four: So Much Blood’, Pat found herself on cloud nine and rightfully so. For she truly believed she had harnessed the wonder of Rosemary. To the point where she had a set routine involving her muse, one that allowed for the pages to pour out of her and she felt accomplished and happy at last, and the wonder of this moment didn’t end there.

Because the publisher was over the moon when it came to the pages that Pat was producing, and they were ready to hand her a revamped and larger advance and well… that kind of news, combined with the smoothness of her work, really did allow for her to believe that the worst was behind her family at last and that a new golden age was upon them. In fact, she was so secure in this, that she went back to enjoying a drink now and again and she even hinted to Terry that now might be the time to quit his job since easy street was right around the corner and well… that’s when the universe went ahead and taught them a valuable lesson about putting too much stock into a streak of good luck.

Because just like that, the smooth nature of Pat’s writing disappeared and all the sultry and sexy stuff on the page was quickly replaced with some supremely dark concepts revolving around Rosemary committing suicide. A surprise that Pat thought was nothing more than a moment of doubt she could overcome by wiling the words to do her bidding. But that didn’t solve the problem in the slightest, making it clear that this book might not come to fruition as smoothly as hoped, an epiphany that elicited great fear in Pat and that fear was further compounded by a poor decision on Terry’s part. Because when given the chance to drink more Lemon Drops than any man ever should… Terry drunkenly decided to follow Pat’s advice about quitting his job, leaving the financial future of the family in limbo.
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Which are moves that easily hammer home the story’s message about how important it is to discover the root cause of our problems and deal with that first and oddly enough, that is where the story took us next, in a manner that one might not expect. Because one would think that Terry and Pat would address their toxic behaviors in order to change the course of their lives, but since this is a horror story, a more pressing root cause to some of their woes took precedence. Since Pat came to discover… that she wasn’t slipping into some form of madness after all. Since it was revealed that Rosemary was a real person and is indeed haunting this house and is also apparently… crying out for help for reasons we don’t yet know.

In the end, this was just another brilliant chapter in this tale. One that finally answered our pressing question as to whether or not this was psychosis or paranormal activity and now that we know the truth, the story can shift gears and take us into bold new territory. That kind that utilizes Pat and Terry’s flaws to horror’s advantage, and hopefully… that means we get more amazing homages like we did here, since that reverse scene from The Shining that took place in the attic, was a thing of beauty. But all of that aside, this episode really does build a lot of excitement for future episodes. Because now the mysteries of this house are going to be solved and it will be fascinating to learn what happened here and whether or not Rosemary is a friend in need of help or if she is a foe in need of sustenance, the kind that only fresh souls can provide. Until next time.    

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 1113 of ‘The Walking Dead’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Over the course of the past couple of weeks, a grand and important question has come forth regarding the final season of The Walking Dead on AMC. In that, we are all beginning to wonder if the Commonwealth is a good place, or a bad place. Simply because… at times, we have been privy to moments that showcase a wondrous place that really is trying to put the world back together in a positive light. For we’ve seen our heroes be cared for and accomplish wonders within the territory’s borders. But at the same time, while it is cuddly to see justice be served and Ezekiel earn more life at a time when lifespans have plummeted… there are a lot of odd moments that have given all of us pause regarding this place.
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After all, we are fully aware now that some of its citizens are not exactly thrilled with the class inequity that exists within this supposed utopia and of course… Lance Hornsby is up to some shady stuff. Since he manipulated Eugene from the moment he arrived, and he has his secret council that he meets with under the cover of the darkness. But after weeks of weighing both of sides of the coin when it comes to the Commonwealth, at long last… the show finally took the time to answer that particular question… in the most surprisingly way imaginable. For ‘Warlords’ is a story that made it appear early on, that the Commonwealth is a place that we shouldn’t worry about in the slightest, as evidenced by the mission that Aaron recruited Gabriel for.

Since it was made clear to the padre, that the Commonwealth was moving fast to grow its ranks by doing what Alexandria once did. Which was to find survivors and bring them into the fold and give them a chance at a new life and since Aaron is about as trustworthy as it gets and shoots straight, Gabriel had no qualms with coming along for this little mission and even their arrival at the doorstep of an isolated apartment building full of people… showed no signs of trouble. If anything, the only real aspect of concern when it came to this mission… was a man named Toby. Who was helping Aaron bring people in and his goofy demeanor made it seem as though he didn’t take this seriously, nor did he have a clue what the hell he was doing.

A reality that was reinforced when the outreach team got inside of this place and spoke with its supremely gruff and untrusting leader, Ian. Since Toby was silent and confused on several occasions and for a time… it just appeared as though this mission was going to end in failure and instead teach the audience and our heroes a lesson, that sometimes… you cannot save certain people. Since Ian and his people were obviously in a supremely dark place. But when Ian got a little too hot under the collar and was distracted by the disarming kindness of Aaron in that moment… Toby transformed and quickly laid waste to Ian and his counterparts and then used the Commonwealth’s soldiers to seize control of the place and stun Aaron and Gabriel in the process.

Because this was not at all what they signed up for and well… that’s when everyone came to learn, what the Commonwealth is all about. Which as it turns out, is nothing good. Since some of its leadership harbors corrupt morals and ill intentions. As evidenced by a fascinating flashback sequence wherein Toby was informed by Lance Hornsby, to take a team out to this place and wipe them out for messing with a Commonwealth convoy. A discussion that made it clear how little regard Hornsby stands for preserving life and how much he believes he needs to reshape the world in a specific image in his mind and that’s terrifying to say the least. But before we could process the gravity of this revelation… the trouble that arose for Gabriel and Aaron in that moment, kept our attention.
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For we also came to learn… they weren’t in on the plan, and they were horrified by everything they’d seen and that motivated them, to stand up in that moment and potentially lose their lives by fighting against the might of the Commonwealth. But thankfully, they weren’t alone in this fight. Because despite being handcuffed by soldiers, Gabriel was able to escape and that was made possible… by Negan. Who joined this group after leaving Alexandria behind and rather than exact revenge, he once again proved he’s trying to walk on the straight and narrow by saving Gabriel’s hide, and by calling for help. Because he also sent a courier to Hilltop… to ask Maggie to swing by and aid in the fight and thankfully, she’s arrived and reunited with Aaron and not a moment too soon.

For Toby and his soldiers are ready to common wanton murder in order to figure out who hit the convoy and these innocent people will need every bit of help they can get. In the end however, this was simply an incredible story through and through. Largely because… it certainly provided us with that all important answer regarding the Commonwealth and while it may not be the one, we were hoping for, it is there none the less and this is going to change everything. For there’s no way that Maggie will ever stand with the Commonwealth after learning about this treachery, but it may also change the course of events for Alexandria as well. Because this is the kind of behavior that Aaron won’t stand for or with and it will be interesting to see what action he takes against the Commonwealth when this fight has ended.

However, while the anticipation for that will be great, before we get ahead of ourselves, we need to talk about the other awesome moments present in this tale. For instance, how the truth was revealed unto us… was downright brilliant. Since it really seemed as though this story was going to focus on a new threat while offering up more commentary on the have and the have nots of the new world. Not a grand reveal that the Commonwealth has been the enemy all along. Also, you can’t go wrong with a kickass Michael Biehn cameo either, since he made Ian as memorable as possible and well, now that we’ve reached the end of this fascinating tale, it’s time to count down the minutes until next week’s tale… so we can see how our heroes handle a foe that outguns and outnumbers them. Until then.   

​The late 1970's were a fantastic time to be a horror fan. Revolutionary films were hitting the screens left and right and for the zombie fans out there, one particular motion picture changed the landscape for years to come.  

This was of course Dawn of the Dead, which proved to be one of the smartest zombie films of all time, and in Europe, the film was known as Zombie: Dawn of the Dead and well...much of the story we knew and loved was removed in favor of the incredible splatter. This cut of the film was of course a rousing success overseas, so it only made sense that a European sequel was to come, and boy did it manage to impress when Lucio Fulci stepped behind the camera to direct Zombi 2, a.k.a. Zombie. 

Something horrible is happening on the island of Matool. The dead are returning to life and attacking the living and Doctor Menard is doing his best to discover the cause and reverse it before this nightmare escapes the island. But he may be too late, for a boat carrying a zombie has made its way to the New York Harbor, forcing outsiders to investigate the island further and they are ill prepared for the horrors that await them. 

So, what separates this particular film from other zombie films of the era? The fact that it is hands down one of the goriest films I have ever seen. No joke, the blood flows and flows in this particular movie and the kills are top notch. In fact, the eyeball scene is one that will haunt you for years to come, and if you’ve seen this movie, you know what I’m talking about and if not, when it happens, you’ll know. Now, normally one would expect the gore to numb you after a certain point yet that is not the case when it comes to Zombie simply because the kills are so quick and so violent and well...so gooey that you never get the chance to let it all sink in and you're never quite sure what kind of horrible thing is waiting for you next.

But the film is more than just blood and guts, Zombie is an entertaining ride as well. I mean, what other zombie film features a walking corpse battling a shark underwater? The answer is none. Yes, not only is Zombie over the top when it comes to gore, but also in its story telling and that makes it a pure polar opposite to Dawn of the Dead. This one is just a fun ride, full of splatter and wild moments that keep you captivated through and through. If anything, die-hard horror and zombie fans need this one on their shelf, and for everyone else it needs to be seen, if only for the fact that a zombie fights a shark.  

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 309 of ‘Servant’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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There are few things more frustrating in life, than watching a person that needs to be put in their place and humbled… run rampant and do as they please. Because when they have that kind of freedom, they are prone to lash out with anger and cruelty and that frustrates us, because it’s wrong, and it’s just as awful that someone is enabling this behavior and refuses to put a stop to it. For that is, equally as cruel as the acts that the entitled are committing. But thankfully, the universe tends to be a just place, where balance is key and eventually… those types of folks get their comeuppance and that is top of mind today, because this type of person… had their reckoning in the next episode of Servant on Apple TV+.
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In fact, it was Dorothy Turner that the universe bestowed this gift upon, and well, let’s be honest, this was long overdue. For while she does indeed mean well and has genuine kindness in her soul… she can be a bit much sometimes, mainly when she doesn’t get her way and when we catch up with her in ‘Commitment’, she’s up to her usual shenanigans. In that, she’s still spitting venom at Leanne at every turn and Sean is also dealing with her ire and cruelty… and well… that is obviously not the reckoning we hoped for. Which means that Dorothy really had to earn the universe’s wrath and she most certainly did when she realized a potential path to getting Leanne out of the house.

Because if she could convince a doctor that Leanne was a danger to her family and herself, then perhaps she could have Leanne committed to a mental health facility. Giving Dorothy what she ultimately wants, as always, and she quickly set out to make this happen. In part by snooping about Leanne’s room to find dirt upon her. Which she did. Since she came to discover evidence that Leanne used to flog herself to atone for her sins, and of course… those scars were still there, and she got photographs of all of that and eventually got her father to arrange for a doctor to come to the house to talk to Leanne and make the magic happen at last. And at first glance, it really appeared as though there would be no justice from the universe in this tale.

For the good doctor talked to Leanne first, and he was armed with every red flag Dorothy could provide him with and well… that’s when this episode took quite the turn. Because shortly after that little chat with the doctor, Dorothy’s father turned up, as did the rest of the family. Simply because, Frank actually used Dorothy’s plan against her, and had the doctor evaluate her instead of Leanne and what he found… was concerning. In that, she was exhibiting troubling behavior. The kind grounded in paranoia and terror and unhealthy attachment issues and anger, and he wanted her to be committed instead so that she could be properly treated. A move that everyone in the family outside of Frank disagreed with, because… enablers. But their pleas did end up saving Dorothy from a seventy-hour hold at minimum.

Which means that for now, she will stay home and take the drugs that the doctor has prescribed, and well… that was quite the satisfying end to this story. Because at long last, Dorothy Turner was put in her place and faced a reckoning for her garbage behavior, and now she has to abide by the doctor’s orders if she wants to be near her son. And this was just wonderful to see since she has needed a wakeup call for a long time and well… this really does open up all kinds of possibilities storytelling wise. In that, this either means that Dorothy is finally going to get the treatment she needs or she’s going to use this downtime to scheme and lash out in a vindictive manner, and it will be quite interesting to see which path Dorothy takes in the season three finale. Until next time.  

​The feeling of acceptance is something that many of us need, but at what price? Growing up we might have joined different clubs or a sports team, but when we got older, we came to find that these things simply went away. Needing to find a fun group to hang out with if you are no longer with your childhood friends can be difficult, but not impossible. Just keep your eyes open at work and on your friend’s lists on social media, as there are all kinds of events that happen with people that share your interests and they might be looking for someone else to hang out with.
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Getting driven out to the middle of the woods, Sophie is ready to take her final step in becoming a member of the group. With plenty of booze in her system, she listens to her new friends Michelle and Katie read the words from their old book to fully become a member of Satan’s club. Only needing to sit in the middle of a pentagram and sacrifice a piece of herself to the new lord, Sophie is frightened, yet willing. Arriving in the circle, Sophie hears strange sounds in the surrounding woods, but it is not enough to frighten her away from the task at hand and she cuts her hand and allows the blood to drop on the unholy ground.

Rising off of the ground, Sophie starts to make her way back to the car when she sees the lights go out. Hearing someone else around her, Sophie is grabbed and dragged back into the depths of the woods. Listening to their new friend screaming for her life, the members have no idea what is happening to their new initiate. Turning the car lights back on, Michelle and Katie are ready to welcome their new friend back with open arms, but Sophie has something different on her mind. With the ritual fully taking effect on her mind and body, Sophie is ready to make her presence known once and for all.

With plenty of things that go bump in the night, I like how this film utilized the sounds of the forest to make things creepier. Although you do not get to know exactly what group Michelle and Katie really belong to, it seems to be a witch coven of some sort, I am more upset that they don’t know the power that their book can unleash if someone follows through with the ritual. I felt bad for Sophie after she is taken by the forest where evil forest things are done to her, but her transformation into her new self was pretty freaking epic. If you are ever thinking about doing witchcraft, this short confirms it, if you don’t know what you are doing, don’t do it or suffer the consequences. Stay Scared.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘The Bunker Game’.
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One thing that we can all agree upon, is that the world definitely overwhelms us from time to time. To the point where we need to find some kind of escape or hobby to keep our minds off of the stresses of the world and the terrible news playing out on our televisions and on social media. Which for some, involves getting out and enjoying the wonder of nature since that has healing powers and allows for one’s head to get clear. For others, diving into a good book or movie or show for a little while can be helpful since it allows for the mind and soul to just detach and escape from reality and speaking of the need for escape… well some take that to a whole new level when they need to be free of the world’s chaos.
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Because for those folks, just a taste of escape isn’t enough, they need to truly feel as though they’re in another world or another time and diving into Live Action Roleplaying, also known as LARPing, is a great way to accomplish that. Since it allows for a person to become someone else and live in a different world with other people for a little while. An act that while helpful to those involved is often viewed as foolish by so many others or dangerous as well. Since that kind of immersion can seem immature in nature or risky since a person can in fact… lose themselves within the fantasy if they want away from the world that badly and well, the risks inherent that can potentially come out of such an act are top of mind today, because Shudder is now host to a horror film that explores such matters in a very unique manner in The Bunker Game.

Now in this particular film, we are transported to Italy to spend time with a group of Live Action Role-players, as they live out quite the story. One where Nazi Germany won the war and their victory led to nuclear war, forcing the remnant of the Reich into the dismal halls of a massive bunker, wherein they wait for the wasteland outside to clear so they can build the Fourth Reich and when we catch up to the group here, they’re preparing for this wild fantasy to end. But before it does, a series of accidents take place, the kind that end the game early and leave the staff in quite the difficult place. For they cannot find their leader and strange occurrences are happening all around them… leaving them to wonder if by chance the man in charge is taking this little game too far… or if they have accidentally awakened something sinister in this ancient Nazi tomb.  

Which is a plot that is… utterly original and laden with some fascinating commentary on the power of fantasy. Since the actions of this group make it clear that sometimes, fantasy can be taken too far in the name of fun and escape, as evidenced by the fact that everyone here willingly was okay with stepping into the world of fascism and through a lot of the actions of the role-players here. Since so many of them, including Greg, the leader of this group, take the opportunity in indulge in more unsavory tendencies in the name of fantasy. Making it clear that there is a real risk inherent when taking fantasy this far, since one can lose themselves in ways, they never thought possible, or it can bring the worst possible people out in the open. As evidenced by the actual Nazi in their midst that clearly jumps at the chance to set foot in an era he disgustingly admires. 
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But while that does make for some fascinating and poignant moments for certain… none of that screams horror really. Since that is an inherent character study at best and grand examination of LARPing at worst, but the scary stuff is in there… courtesy of what lurks in the dark in this tale. For there is a spirit in this place, one that wants vengeance and freedom and that leads to some genuinely terrifying moments. The kind that preys upon our worst fears, since this spirit uses the dark and the unknown for cover to commit its violent acts and that definitely unsettles the viewer for certain since no one likes the dark or what lurks within it, and we’d be foolish to not point out that some of the kills in this story, are inventive and ugly in all the right ways.

If anything, all of these elements make for one unique horror story. One that really does offer up a refreshingly original plot since this writer is hard pressed to think of any other horror film out there that uses LARPing as a plot device. But it works here, and it really does offer up some thoughtful observations on the importance of keeping fantasy and reality as separate as can be and of course, you simply cannot go wrong with a good old fashioned ghost story coming into play here as well… since that does provide the viewer with some ugly visuals that are akin to a living nightmare. Which means that in the end, this movie is definitely a worthwhile watch. Because of its creativity and its ingenuity, so if you’re looking for a refreshing horror film, one that takes you on quite the unique ride… swing by Shudder when you have a chance and give The Bunker Game a look.