Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Boys from County Hell’.
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Something that is truly fascinating about humanity, is how we view the past. In that, we are eager to hold onto it as tightly as possible. Simply because we firmly believe that if we let it go, a part of ourselves will forever disappear. Which is a line of thinking that has merit. For hanging onto the memory of people we’ve lost or of big events, helps to keep that special person alive and it keeps us grounded in what an important moment taught us. Because the past is indeed a wonderful teacher, and without it we wouldn’t be the person we are today. But while there is a positive side to keeping part of ourselves firmly planted in yesterday, our holding onto it isn’t always a healthy way to go.
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Because it can haunt us and terrorize us. For the emotions that come out of ugly moments and loss and grief, can overtake us since they are so powerful and so compelling. To the point where we might shut down and collapse emotionally. And oddly enough, when the past brings us great strife, we are suddenly compelled to remove it from our lives and our minds because that’s just what people do when they’ve had enough and even that, brings about issues. Because we simply cannot wipe what happened away, which means we truly need to view our past as part of the fabric of our being and resolve the emotions bad moments send our way and learn to live with them, and this is a lesson that is central to the brand-new horror film on Shudder, Boys from County Hell.

Now in this particular film, we are introduced to a young man named Eugene, who has a lot of emotional baggage hanging over his head. For he’s lost his mother and really doesn’t have that great of a relationship with his father and being haunted by his past and hurt by his current situation, drives him to drink and putter about through life with zero direction. In fact, he’s so lost and unable to cope with yesterday, that he’s stuck, and the world is beginning to pass him by. But the loss of his best friend in a freak accident might be what Eugene needs to finally move forward in life. For the death of his buddy, has brought about the discovery of an ancient vampiric legend, one that is awake and ready to feed on the entire town to restore its energies. And that means that this is Eugene’s chance to shine since he knows plenty about the legend, provided of course… he can reconcile his fears and his pain from so long ago. 

Which is a plot that is quite frankly… as unique as they come. For it makes the vampire in this story, become the allegory for our past. For this ancient monster is the creeping fear we carry about losing those we love or the failures we’ve taken part in and that makes this movie brilliant for certain. Because we get to watch all of our heroes in this story, confront the power of grief and loss and trauma and everything in between so that they can survive the night. Which only adds to the depth and the commentary on this matter since it uses amplified doom to help the audience understand that hanging onto our past will indeed drown us and damage us in ways, we never thought possible and well, it’s rare to see a horror movie be this direct about its message, but this one pulls it off no problem, thanks in part to one key storytelling twist.
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Because this is a story that is also heavy on the comedy, which seems like an odd thing to inject here, but it really is necessary to hammering home the message. Because being able to laugh in the midst of some powerful and/or harrowing sequences, allows for our minds to easily digest what the story is trying to teach us and it doesn’t hurt… that the comedy in this story works like a charm. Because every single twisted comedy sequence really did leave this reviewer laughing out loud and they truly do bring forth wonderful levity and it oddly motivates you to continue the journey, so you can see how this story is going to top the last gag and well, that makes the ending worth the viewer’s while. Since it features some downright incredibly hilarious moments, the kind that might motivate you to pause the movie while you get the laughs out of your system.

If anything, this is just a flawless horror/comedy through and through. Because not only is it loaded to the brim with powerful commentary and side-splitting jokes and gags, but it also features some quality character development as well. Since everyone we meet in this story has depth to them and a journey to go upon. But above all else, what truly allows for this motion picture to stand out, is that it is also unconventional and original. For what it explores in regard to the vampire mythos, is genuinely refreshing since it doesn’t feature a single trope from this storied sub-genre, and really all of these elements make this a delightful and satisfying watch for certain. One that does a wonderful job of providing horror fans with everything they love about the genre and manages to stay with you for quite some time by asking the viewer… if they’ve done enough to make peace with tough days gone by.

‘Boys from County Hell’ is available to stream now, on Shudder.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 204 of ‘Creepshow’.
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There are a great many reasons as to why the Shudder series, Creepshow, has been such a phenomenal, runaway hit. So many in fact, that a fifty-part series would be in order to properly cover them all. But for the sake of today’s recap, it’s best we focus upon the most important one of all… the sheer fact that this series is a chameleon of sorts. For week in and week out, this incredible show is able to shift its focus thematically and offer up episodes that reflect said theme, allowing for the audience to ponder upon a great deal once the story has come to an end and thus far, the series is showing no signs of stepping away from this fascinating format. For already in season two, we’ve been treated to stories that reflect upon the power of nostalgia, the darkness present in man and how horror works with any genre and it just so happens that this week's episode follows this proud tradition as well.

For this week’s dual tales of terror ponder upon the power of the fantastical, and how it ignites our imagination and leaves us wondering about the endless possibilities of the unknown and it accomplished this particular feat… by outright surprising us with the impossible in its first vignette. For early on, ‘Pipe Dreams’ appears as though a completely different type of tale is going to head our way. One where a semi-closeted racist landlord will get their just desserts in the most Creepshow way imaginable. And while the evil Victoria does indeed get just that, how she comes to that point is what brings about the exploration of the fantastical. For it takes a plumber named Linus to discover that the pipe problem in her complex is related to the fact, that a gross clog has come to life. And it is so hungry for blood that the only way to properly satiate it, is to feed it something evil… specifically, one bitter and racist landlord. 

But while that alone could have carried this tale, since we don’t know a thing about the glob and where it comes from, lending credence to the possibility that anything can exist in our world, what truly allows for this story to shine… are the little things it injects into the story. Such as offering a little social commentary on race relations in America, alongside hints of homage since this story has echoes of The Blob and Evil Dead II. All of which allows for this story to have depth to accompany the fantastical and that really is a testament to Daniel Kraus’ phenomenal script and Joe Lynch’s slick direction since you’ve never bored when watching this tale and it doesn’t hurt that it features some phenomenal performances as well, with Barbara Crampton stealing the show as the villainous Victoria and really, all of these elements make this a well-rounded tale for certain. One that is accessible to any horror fan since it offers everything you could ask for from a scary story and oddly enough, it might also serve as a prequel tale to another Creepshow related story. Since one must wonder if the tiny carnivorous blob here, was eventually washed away and ended up in a lake. Where it grew into the giant oil slick present in ‘The Raft’ in Creepshow 2.

If anything, all those elements make that tale the ‘fun’ fantastical story, whereas the other vignette in this episode handles a darker exploration on the matter. Since ‘Within the Walls of Madness’ takes us deep within a secret government research facility where a former researcher named Zeller, is preparing his defense for a murder trial. For a horrible incident at the facility, wherein he hacked two of his coworkers to death, has everyone believing that he simply lost his mind and decided to take out his frustrations upon them. But Zeller claims that he made this decision because his coworkers violated the sanctity of the universe and explored other realms, and the desire of one such coworker to unleash horrors present in another dimension, upon our world, motivated him to end everyone in the hopes of keeping that evil at bay. Which is a defense that no one believes and after he is convicted and on death row, he decides the time is right to prove to the world that he wasn’t lying… by letting those horrors through.
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Which is a perfect way to explore the fantastical since it puts another realm on display and helps our imagination to ponder upon whether or not our reality is the only one out there. But what truly makes this particular vignette so special… is that it taps into something legendary as well. For it is revealed that the other realm that awaits beyond is the kingdom of The Old Ones, which means this is a genuine Lovecraft story through and through. One that is complete with Cthulhu himself and that makes this story quite the bleak treat. One that is hopeless and powerful and horrifying in every way imaginable and it too features another scene stealing performance from a big-name star. For Denise Crosby plays the enigmatic and twisted Dr. Trollenberg with a savvy evil that sells the power of the Old Ones, and Greg Nicotero and John Esposito and John Harrison deserve serious credit for their quality writing and directing, respectively, when it comes to this tale since they brought a classic monster back to life in a seamless and powerful manner.

In the end, this is just another perfect episode from a downright perfect season. Because every single story that season two has sent our way has been top-notch and delightful and this episode stands out for doing a wonderful job of reminding us why the fantastical works so well in horror. For this is a genre born out of our fears of the unknown and adding new wrinkles to that fold only engages and delights our brains and well, it just speaks to the fact that this show understands that the possibilities are endless when it comes to horror, and that it will explore every corner of it in great detail. So that the audience enjoys the most dynamic and terrifying experience possible and that realization, once again leaves this reviewer and undoubtedly so many of you out there, hungry for more carnage from the finest horror series on the airwaves. Until next time, kiddies.
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‘Creepshow’ is streaming now, exclusively on Shudder.

​It does not seem to matter the year, there always seems to be some sort of cover-up taking place in the news that people want to know more about. It could be aliens landing, a Big Foot sighting, or miscellaneous phone calls made to someone; it no longer matters. With the gift of social media, it is easier to get opinions voiced and heard throughout the world and while that is a good thing for the people that want the real information, it can also work against what the people behind the cover-up are trying to protect us from. I am a firm believer that telling the truth is the way to go when any strange events take place, but there are those folks who will take this information and try to build on it and sometimes that is not best for the rest of the people involved.
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Five months after her brother passed away in California, Devan and her family are putting him to rest, or trying to since they still have not received his body from the authorities. Being part of a massive murder scene where forty-two people perished, there are still plenty of questions that need to be answered and Devan wants to get to the bottom of what happened. Getting her friends Nate and Brandon to tag along with her, Devan has the address of the old building that claimed so many innocent souls. Going out to Cali on a fact-finding mission, Nate has the wise idea to tape everything and possibly make a documentary that will expose what the government has covered up in the story.

Arriving at the building, the three start to head in when a neighbor threatens to call the cops on them if they continue. Trying to overpower her will, Nate falls short and is forced to give up his quest of getting into the building, at least on this day. Choosing to do interviews instead, Nate and Brandon take to the streets and ask the locals what they heard about the incident. With the stories being pretty close to the same as what was reported on the news about a uranium deposit opening up under the building and the residents dying from exposure, it does not make sense that the rest of the neighborhood is open and going about their everyday lives, so Nate knows that there is much more to the story that nobody is willing to look at.

Meeting Matt, a former resident of the building and his roommate Miki who helps to take care of him, the group gets a better inside look as to what was happening within the ‘contaminated’ building. With their help, the two groups join forces to perform a night investigation inside the house, mainly to provide Devan with some closure. Getting inside and seeing the all-out destruction of the building, Nate questions what could have made the people go crazy enough to do such a thing, yet nothing presented thus far, especially radiation, makes any sense. Finding her brother’s room, Devan dives in and is able to locate his journal, which might help give her clues as to what might have happened to him and the other residents five months ago. But there is something strange about the building as it starts to awaken and sends the group fleeing for their lives. Without all of their questions answered after reading the journal, the group is ready to give it another go, mainly to find out the secrets of what is hidden in the basement that nobody wants to go down to.

I really enjoyed the premise of the movie and in reality, it played pretty well. With some good chemistry between all of the characters, and people chanting in their sleep, it was evident that whatever is in the building is not gone, more like it is just starting to warm up. I was kind of hoping to see the bodies of the residents of the building, like the characters were, but that part is left up to the imagination. It was shot a little differently than I expected, as you get the feeling of a found footage film in the opening credits, but you have non-found footage scenes throughout. It is not my favorite thing to bounce between those, but it worked out okay overall. With a creepy building, a truth that should never be told, a budding relationship and a demon you never expected, A Haunting on Gabriel Street is not that bad of a ride if you are looking for something to keep you up at night. Stay Scared.

There truly is a fascinating revolution happening in the horror industry right now, where scary stories no longer rely upon the monsters of yesteryear to inject terror into our hearts. Instead, this new generation of films are eager to explore the real monsters that populate our world. Specifically, the demons we carry within and the horrors that accompany the trauma we experience in life, and this newfound focus is leading to some powerful new tales, the kind that genuinely leave us unsettled and stay with us for quite some time and it just so happens that a new horror story in that particular vein, is about to arrive on the horror streaming service, Shudder.

For earlier today, the network announced that The Boy Behind the Door will be arriving on the service in a couple of months and here are all the details on this fascinating new film, courtesy of Shudder.

Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural, has acquired the exclusive rights to ‘The Boy Behind the Door’ for release in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand on Thursday, July 29. The first feature from co-writers and directors Justin Powell and David Charbonier, the suspense thriller tells a gripping, powerful tale of survival and friendship in the face of evil.

In ‘The Boy Behind the Door’, a night of unimaginable terror awaits twelve-year-old Bobby (Lonnie Chavis) and his best friend, Kevin (Ezra Dewey), when they are abducted on their way home from school. Managing to escape his confines, Bobby navigates the dark halls, praying his presence goes unnoticed as he avoids his captor at every turn. Even worse is the arrival of another stranger, whose mysterious arrangement with the kidnapper may spell certain doom for Kevin. With no means of calling for help and miles of dark country in every direction, Bobby embarks on a rescue mission, determined to get himself and Kevin out alive… or die trying.

Said Craig Engler, general manager of Shudder, “From its first frame, ‘The Boy Behind the Door’ ratchets up the tension in a way that seems to never let up.  Justin and David have tapped into what true evil lurking around in our world today looks like, and I can think of no better place for audiences to experience this unrelenting thrill ride than Shudder.”

“We are excited to partner with Shudder, the leading voice in the horror space, for the release of ‘The Boy Behind the Door’,” said filmmakers David Charbonier and Justin Powell. “It’s not every day we get to see stories centered on such strong, diverse leads, which Lonnie and Ezra masterfully craft with honest and authentic performances. We hope audiences worldwide will have as much fun watching the film as we did making it.”

In addition to Chavis (This Is Us, White Famous), and Dewey (The Djinn, Criminal Minds), the film also stars Kristin Bauer van Straten (True Blood, Nocturnal Animals), Scott Michael Foster (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Once Upon A Time) and Micah Hauptman (Homeland, Rust Creek).

‘The Boy Behind the Door’ had its world premiere at Fantastic Fest before playing AFI Fest, receiving rave reviews at both festivals. The film was produced by Rick Rosenthal of Whitewater Films, Ryan Scaringe of Kinogo Pictures, Jim Hart, John Hermann and Ryan Lewis. Bert Kern, Nick Morton, and Howard Barish executive produce. 

Powell and Charbonier’s follow-up project ‘The Djinn’ will be released by AMC Networks’ IFC Midnight in North America on May 14.

So, as you can see, once again Shudder has snagged a top-tier and cutting edge horror film, one that will explore an incredibly dark aspect of the human condition and we here at Nerds That Geek cannot wait to see what exactly this movie brings to table, when it arrives on the network, in July. 

​We all work hard toward perfection in some form or fashion. Be it in our hobbies, the sports we play or our careers, we are always working toward that moment when everything comes together and is truly everything we could have envisioned or hoped for.

Perfection is rare, but it has been known to happen. But what if perfection was achieved over and over again? Would it mean that we have become a master of that which we work to achieve, or are there other forces at work, helping us to be everything we dream of? Both of those questions are answered in a unique and creative way in the horror film, The Devil's Advocate. 

Kevin Lomax is a lawyer who simply cannot lose. Doesn't matter whether or not his client committed the crime, or whether or not defending said person should force him to reflect upon his conscience, he wins case after case. In fact, he is so good, he has attracted the attention of a high-powered law firm in New York City, led by the mysterious John Milton. Milton wants Kevin to work for his firm and Kevin obliges so that his star can continue to shine. But Kevin will quickly learn that this firm is not all that it seems and unfortunately, by taking this gig, he has managed to make a deal... with the actual devil.  

The Devil's Advocate is a fascinating film because of the fact, it's a surprise horror film. But we will take a little time to talk about that later because the first thing that completely catches your eye about this particular film, is that it is loaded with some incredible names and amazing performances. Al Pacino is top notch in this flick and does a great job of making John Milton seem cool and suave to stay in line with the film’s constant twists and turns before letting loose in amazing fashion with his acting chops in the last twenty minutes of the film when he reveals his true identity as the Prince of Darkness. In fact, really, he's the big draw to this film, but Pacino is anchored by some other quality performances. Keanu Reeves holds his own as the level-headed Kevin Lomax, and you feel for him as the film progresses as you begin to realize as well that something is amiss and this poor kid is nothing more than a pawn and Charlize Theron steals the scenes she appears in as well, especially with her downward spiral into madness and unfortunate end in the film. 

Now as I mentioned before, this is a surprise horror film and that's what makes it so fascinating to watch because this film plays you like a fiddle. You honestly believe at first that this is a morality tale about a lawyer who has lost his way and appears to be joining up with a firm that looks like the perfect job and perfect place to work but ends up being as sleazy a place as they come. That is until the first demon shows up and then...well, it's a dark tale revolving around sin, free will and the Book of Revelation and quite frankly, how our quest to be perfect in everything we do may indeed be our biggest downfall. 

Fact is, it's a damn good movie and one that you have to watch several times to catch all the many layers that it has to offer. I only recently saw this again after seeing it when it was released, and it surprised the hell out of me with how well it's held up and how smart and terrifying it really is. Catch it again if you get the chance, you won't be disappointed.  

​Maintaining good friendships is very important, because at the end of the day, what else do we have? No matter the situation, you can depend on your friends to help you out, keep a positive attitude and inspire you to get through it. Even though there will be fights along the way, either over stupid things or serious things, when all is said and done, they will never hold a grudge against you. Keeping your friends around is always a good idea, since they will be there no matter what you say or do.

Coming home to shoot his second documentary on his childhood friend Luke, Cordero is ready for action. As Luke has taken over all of the duties at his parents’ farm after they passed away a couple years ago, Cordero wants to make him a star. As the filming starts in Luke’s house, both of the young men see that not much has changed, but little do they know what the night will have in store for them.
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Hearing a knock at the door, both men head over to take a look, but are not able to find anyone around the farm. Thinking that this is strange, along with a door being left open and a light being shut off, they chalk it up to some kids playing a prank. But as the second night comes along, the same thing happens, but this time the refrigerator door is opened leaving Cordero to believe that there may be something supernatural going on. The third night rolls around and a knock is heard once again, but now with some music playing around the barn, the two are starting to take things seriously.

Reviewing the footage at his mother’s house, Cordero is able to place these instances at the same time every night and wants to test out a theory of his own. With the possibility of a haunting in his mind, Cordero gives his theory to Luke who will have none of it. Needing to find a way to waste time until 11:55pm rolls around again, the two take a drive and plan on deer spotting but find a group of three people walking around on Luke’s land. Only seeing them for a split second, the two do not know what to expect and while trying to get help and getting laughed at, they find out that they will be on their own. As strange events continue to happen around the house at night, the events start to become more real as they are causing the men issues. With no one to help them, the friends’ team up to find out who is behind these events but will not like what they find.

Even though this is not one of my favorite movies, it did show plenty of potential which I liked. While the storyline was lacking, along with the fact that it seemed like Cordero could never finish a sentence, I liked the haunting idea being tied in with someone looking to drive the old friends mad. With their friendship being challenged by whoever is stalking them, the two have to find a way to keep from hurting each other, which becomes very troubling to them both. With some haunting effects, some bad country music, a group tormenting the leads and very small animal masks, this movie has its flaws, but also keeps you wondering what the strangers really want from their victims. Stay Scared.

​Wanting to prove or disprove a haunting is something that every paranormal investigator wants to be able to do, but mostly they want to be the first ones to get a clear picture of a ghost. There is nothing wrong with that, as most people are fascinated by things that they have never seen. But there can be much more to that, since in today’s day and age, if you get some great video and put it on YouTube and get a million views, you can make some money as well. There is nothing wrong in wanting something for the fame, but you have to be willing to pay the toll when it is applied, just some quick food for thought there.
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Hearing about an old house that nobody has been able to live in for more than twenty-one days, filmmakers Jacob, Shauna and Kurt are ready to get their name in the record books. Being able to find the town’s local historian, they are able to get all of the insights of what people are saying about the house and where the previous tenants went, but not what scared the people away. With plenty of different opinions around town about the house being haunted or it being a hoax, Jacob has been able to secure the house for twenty-one days from the bank and is ready to document everything that happens inside the creepy walls.

Arriving at the house and taking their first look around, the three see that the last story about the Thompson family was absolutely true. Leaving all of their belongings in the house, actually leaving mid meal, the three also take notice that all of the mirrors are covered up. As there is one story that the walls hold a demon inside and the mirrors allow it to gain power, the group does not believe this to be fact and take down all of the coverings to see what happens. Before getting locked into the house for the next three weeks, the group takes a little stroll into the woods behind the house to try and pinpoint an ancient Indian burial ground that is also part of the legend. Finding it easily by the dreamcatchers marking their territory, the group is surprised, but not too shocked as Jacob believes that they are being targeted by the locals to drive them away from the house.

Nothing will keep Jacob from getting his fame and locking himself and crew into the house, they are ready for anything, at least that is what they think. As the first couple nights go by and the group is not noticing anything, Shauna hears a strange knocking sound in the middle of the night and tries to find out where it is coming from. As the EMF detectors go off, she knows that there is something in the house, but is not sure what the readings really mean. The nights continue with strange occurrences, but nothing too rattling until Shauna’s timeline board gets some new artwork added to it. Seeing a strange symbol inked with blood over pictures from her cell phone, she is ready to leave, but Jacob will not allow it. Knowing that there has to be a reason for this, mainly that Kurt is playing a trick on them, Shauna is about to lose her mind. But that is just the beginning of what will be the end of the team as tensions grow high and even though they know they need to leave, Jacob will not back down on getting a television contract and the group will need to stay with him in the house for the full twenty-one days, or all is lost.

I liked how the story started and getting a ton of back ground on the house and what happened to the families living there for less than three weeks. As the children were targeted by whatever was in the house, I guess the parents just had to put up with the torments as well. As far as ghost hunters go, I was rather disappointed in how their equipment was used throughout, but that was not really the story that was being told. I was really blown away by the lack of using the mirrors throughout, as it was a main element in the stories that the townsfolk told, along with the Native American experts that the group contacted. Outside of those two things, I liked the movie, it had some moments that made it apparent that there is something in the house that is looking to be left alone, but nobody bothers to notice. Stay Scared.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘The Inheritance’.
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It is definitely safe to say, that we know our family pretty darn well when we reach adulthood. After all, we spend the first eighteen years of our life surrounded by our siblings and our parents, allowing for us to really get to know what makes them tick and what brings them joy and sorrow. And we also spend a fair amount of time with our extended family as well, allowing for us to learn similar facts about them. Which is one big reason why we share a special bond with our family in general, since we truly are privy to unique aspects of who they are, in a manner that can never be replicated. But while we do indeed have a fine understanding of who they all are when we leave home to take on the world, we don’t completely know everything about them. 
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Because they are their own people, and we didn’t spend every waking moment with them growing up. So, we missed out on formative moments with friends or important conversations that truly revealed some of their fears and hopes, the kind they didn’t share with everyone. But while that’s not exactly a big deal since we know them pretty well on a fundamental level, sometimes not knowing everything about our family can be problematic, especially when they pass on. Because if dark secrets are revealed after their passing, our view of them and our lives will never be same and that can lead to lasting emotional trauma. And it just so happens, that there is a new horror film on the market that explores the troublesome nature of discovering those kinds of unsettling secrets in The Inheritance.

Now in this particular film, we are introduced to a woman named Sasha who has just found the bright spot in her grandfather’s passing. For dear Yuri had a lot of assets to his name, the kind that will make Sasha and her boyfriend Peter, rich beyond their wildest dreams if they opt to sell it all. A move that Sasha isn’t completely sure is a priority, since she knows so little about her grandfather’s life before he moved to the United States, and that motivates her to take a trip to the Ukraine with her beloved to get an idea of what his life was like before she makes the decision to liquidate his assets and collect the cash. Which is a decision that proves to be, quite troublesome. For while his primary estate in Kiev is quite lovely and elegant, it is filled to the brim with secrets, the kind that are awakening in the middle of the night for the first time in years and they are fixated on Sasha and what she can do for them. 

So, the first thing we need to get out of the way when it comes to this movie, is to point out the fact that this is a slow burning horror film. Which means it relies heavily on classical gothic elements and shadows and spooky noises to set up the ghostly atmosphere present here and in this day and age, that can be a turn off. Because we are used to ghost stories that are in our faces and filled with gore and scares. But it is best to stick with this one and its slow burning style, simply because it really does harken back to a golden age of ghostly cinema and it does pay off in the end. Because minute by minute, Sasha begins to unravel the secrets of the house and that leads to some poignant and epic moments for certain. The kind that ironically, speak to the audience.
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Because let’s be honest, uncovering dark secrets about one’s family… is not an everyday thing and there is really no blueprint out there on how to deal with such a surprise and the emotional backlash it would send our way. But therein lies the beauty of this tale. Since Sasha is as strong as they come and refuses to be broken by what she uncovers, and that makes her arc a satisfying one for certain. Because her strength is derived from the fact… that whatever her grandfather did back in the day, does not define her as a person, and that such acts need to be exposed to the world, regardless of what kind of trouble it causes since the truth matters above all else and that really is some dynamic commentary to inject into a ghost story, since it offers up quite the lesson to the viewer.

If anything, all of these elements make this a supremely unique horror film when all is said and done, since the ghostly aspect of this story is nothing more than a mere device to point out the fact that the horrors of the past are just as scary as the horrors of the unknown. And to top it all off, it is filled to the brim with compelling performances as well, especially from Natalia Ryumina, who plays Sasha, since she sells every moment in this story with gravitas and genuine emotion and really, in the end… all of these elements make this movie a worthwhile watch. Simply because it really does work to offer up a different kind of ghost story, one that helps to remind us to be brave, in the event we someday come to learn that someone we love… is not who or what we thought them to be.  

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 609 of ‘Fear the Walking Dead’.
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Over the course of the past decade or so, the various shows that make up The Walking Dead Universe, have done a phenomenal job of exploring every aspect of the human condition. Which has allowed for the viewer to learn a great deal about the nature of trauma and how it impacts us long-term when we don’t resolve it in the slightest. Plus, this grand exploration has allowed for us to come to understand the importance of community, and what it means to genuinely support one another in a time of need. But while those are lovely and uplifting explorations for certain, the saga has also been quick to examine the darker side of the human condition as well.
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For we have also come to learn what kind of circumstances help shape everyday people into outright villains, or how some people use chaos and panic to nurture the evil they have kept hidden from the world, in order to rise to power. And sadly, this grand exploration has also forced us to bear witness to great cruelty, the kind that has bathed us in silence over the horror we just witnessed. But while these grand examinations eventually reach a logical conclusion once they are fully fleshed out on screen, there is one concept/question in regard to the human condition, that each and every show in the TWD Universe continue to migrate back to on a regular basis. In that, is it at all possible for us to truly unify and become a harmonious and balanced species? 

Which is a question that the shows return to time and time again… simply because we don’t have an answer. For we have yet to truly show if we are capable of achieving that and oddly enough, this very same question once again made its way into the storytelling fabric of Fear the Walking Dead last night. For ‘Things Left to Do’ featured an opportunity for unity and a way forward to finally come into play, thanks to some unexpected twists and harrowing moments. Such as the very Negan-esque, ‘All Out War’ sequence, where Ginny decided that she was done playing games with Morgan Jones. Which motivated her to line his friends up in the middle of Lawton and demand that they reveal his whereabouts or die horribly in front of witnesses. An act that backfired horribly on her part.

Because Morgan actually showed up for this moment and revealed to Ginny’s precious Rangers the truth about what happened to John Dorie and Cameron and well, that’s when the surprises hit. For Strand turned the Rangers against Ginny and chaos immediately ensued, the kind that forced Morgan to rescue his nemesis in the hopes of saving all of his friends and well… after an incredible chase sequence, one where Ginny revealed that she was actually Dakota’s mother and wanted to see her daughter one last time… eventually she and Morgan made it to his dry hideaway in the desert. So that she could indeed reunite with Dakota one last time, and so that Morgan could see Grace and Daniel returned to safety. A plan that of course, took an unexpected turn. 

For eventually, Strand and Sherry and everyone that’s ever wanted a piece of Ginny showed up to claim their prize and enact justice in a brutal manner. Something that finally allowed for Morgan to take an opportunity to explore the very question that this episode posed and push for unity. Because he made it clear that her death wouldn’t solve a damn thing for anyone, and would instead make them no better than Ginny, and that the fighting had to stop, and that Ginny needed to face the consequences of her actions in the most painful way imaginable… by living. For spending her days in a jail cell, reflecting upon her lies and her actions… would be the greatest punishment of all and his words did indeed resonate and stopped the killing in that moment. Making it seem as though, leadership and kindness and understanding is the key to finally bringing us together. But even that avenue, took us into grey territory.
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Because Victor Strand took his Rangers off into the sunset, since he still believed that a greater threat awaited the people in this area, and poor Sherry realized she still wasn’t over what happened with Negan and the Saviors and went off with her new friends to figure her future out. Lending credence instead to the possibility that unity and harmony seems impossible amongst us since we all have various agendas and wishes in regard to what we want out of life and that was hammered home in the closing moments of this tale. Because June had the opportunity to talk with Ginny in private, and finally came to understand what she’s really about and what motivated her particular brand of evil and that in turn… motivated June to end her life. All so that John Dorie finally had the justice June believed he deserved.

Which was quite the bleak ending when all is said and done, one that is hopeless in nature since a group once unified in the cause of doing right by the world, is scattered to the wind and indulging in their own agendas and well… that definitely makes it seem as though, the answer to that all-important question… is no. Because of how difficult it is for us to put our anger and need for justice aside, but not all hope is lost. After all, Strand correctly pointed out… that a greater threat is still out there. For the apocalypse bros that believe ‘The End is the Beginning’ are still hoping to do something nefarious and perhaps they offer the answer to this question after all. Because if they have the potential to end a future for these beloved characters, then everyone will indeed rally and unify to save lives. Making it seem as though it will take an incredible threat to our collective existence to unify and even then… that could be up for debate. For the living dead should have done just that and humanity quickly lost that war.

If anything, this was simply a fascinating episode through and through. Largely because it offered no easy answers and didn’t bother to create sugary ones to satisfy the masses. No instead, this one simply reminded us that we are a flawed species, that swings back and forth between savagery and generosity and that we have a long way to go before we can even think about a peaceful utopia. But it also pointed out, that, despite our flaws, we shouldn’t stop working toward it. Because the more we hear about what’s wrong and what’s right by way of good people who want us to achieve wonders, the sooner people will listen to reason and the sooner we can achieve our ultimate goal and this episode deserves serious credit for exploring this in such a frank manner and for shocking us by bringing the war with Ginny to an end. And now that she’s out of the way, it will be quite interesting to see how quickly the monsters that have been hiding in the shadows… step into the light to make their move. Until next time.  

There is something to be said about people that are able to live off the land. As we have all turned to grocery stores for our daily supplies, what if they no longer existed? What would we do for food? I have a bad feeling when it comes to thinking about this, because many of us do not know how to gut a fish or clean a carcass of an animal that we just killed and make it safe for cooking. I am sure that many people will be able to figure it out, but when it becomes survival of the fittest, there would be a massive change in the way we look at our daily lives.
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Traveling a little way into the woods for a romantic getaway, Max and Stacey are happy to be together. Even though Stacey is a little new to the camping thing, she knows that her man will be able to keep her safe from anything that might be coming their way. After Max is able to get the fire going and puts a pot of beans and weenies on to heat up, he heads further into the great unknown to get some more wood. Getting knocked out by a previous acquaintance and briefly waking up to seeing Stacey being raped, Max becomes the face of vengeance as he will not let the act go. Little does he know that this act will change his life forever as he is being watched by someone else. 

Waking up in a small cabin, Max is being held captive by a Bride and a Bunny Girl that he previously saw in the woods. Being able to escape these two, Max is worried about what happened to his girlfriend and tries to make his way back to camp, only to be stopped by an old woman with a gun pointed at him.  Being returned to the cabin, Max’s foot is bolted to the floor so he will not be able to run again. Seeing an old man with a plank of wood on his face stumble back into the house, he has no idea what the death of the man will do for him. Watching as the women all cry over their loss, Max is about to be part of a ritual that will change him for the better, at least in their eyes.

I will have to leave it at that, you will just have to watch the movie to get the rest since I don’t want to give away the ending. This is a very interesting movie that shows how a person can be broken in a matter of days. I was very surprised how easy it really seemed to be, but looking at Max’s options, it really seemed like letting go was the only way he would be able to survive.

With very little dialogue, mainly because the three women in the cabin don’t really talk, it is amazing to see how they got their points across on the screen. I must admit that this movie has been sitting on my burner for a long while and I am ashamed with myself for not watching it sooner. With a couple of murders, a Bunny Girl, a Bride, a Granny and a wooden plank to be worn over the face, this movie will make you think twice about making your way into the woods, especially if there is a family looking for a new member. Stay Scared.