Nerds That Geek Movie Review – ‘100 Ghost Street: The Return of Richard Speck’

Written by Scott Edwards 

​Trying to find the truth about something and becoming famous while doing so is something that some people thrive on. When investigative reporters take to the street and try to dig up something that is not public knowledge and end up finding out that the rabbit hole goes so much deeper and ends up starting at the top, of say, the political food chain, they are presented with an award and that makes them highly sought after. But when small groups of unknowns try to do the same thing however, they are met with credibility issues and are usually accused of being frauds.

A group of paranormal researchers are trying to make a name for themselves by finding and videoing the ghost of Richard Speck in the now abandoned dormitory where he committed seven murders back in 1966. Killing seven of the eight nurses he took hostage that night, Speck is not only one of the most popular mass murderers, but his story has never been properly told. Being called ‘The Birdman’ after he had taken in a couple of canaries when in prison, Speck became a local legend in Chicago after the facts came out. 

Not worried about what would happen in the old townhouse, the group of researchers get all set up and are ready to provoke the evil spirit of Richard Speck, but unknown to them, the two men that were helping to set up their cameras have been taken by an unseen entity. Filming their documentary is on the top of their list and although not many people have heard of Speck, if they could locate his ghost, it would give them both fame and fortune. When trying to provoke Speck in the room where he held the nursing student’s hostage, a strange sound comes from within the wall. With all of the pipes, the group thinks that it is just the building settling, but a voice crying out for help is heard and recorded and they know that they are on to something.

As the team grows more comfortable in their surroundings, first time investigator Sarah walks though the townhouse alone while getting some cups. She is taken by an unseen person and hidden in the original room where the whole murderous spree started. Trying to locate their young investigator, the group has to search the entire house and finds all of what they believe are the hiding places of the spirits. When finding Sarah, she is shaken and the only thing she can say is that ‘he is here’. Not believing that a ghost can harm a person, the group tries to provoke it once again and met with more than they bargained for. Only preying on one person at a time, Richard Speck seems to have a plan to get each person on their own so he can continue his killing spree.

This is just a frightening movie to say the least. Being shot in an investigative ghost hunting style, you are always left wondering what will be around every corner. Without being able to see their attacker, Richard Speck steals the show. With someone wielding an unseen knife, stabbing people and dragging them up walls, there seems to be no end to the power that Speck possesses and that can be the scariest thing of all. I especially like when the group finds out that he only attacks people that are alone and they continue to do just that, running off alone and meeting the same fate. If you want a knockdown, drag out ghost story that has blood, strange sounds, disembodied voices and a powerful unseen villain, this is the movie for you. Stay Scared.

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