Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Horrortales.666 Part 3’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Horrortales.666 Part 3’.

It truly is quite the wonderful time to be a fan of the horror genre. For the genre is at an all-time high popularity wise and for proof… just look at popular media. Since there are plenty of spooky books on the shelves, and television is rife with horror stories, as are theaters. Since major studios have finally embraced what the genre has to offer. Not to mention, there are now horror streaming services available, and the indie horror market continues to impress by offering up one unique story after another, courtesy of another wonderful aspect of living in this era… technology.
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For now, with a lot of effort and a ton of love, and a quality camera and microphone, any aspiring filmmaker can join the fray and that’s led to some revolutionary horror stories, and the rise of brand-new horror franchises, such as the Horrortales.666 saga. For this fascinating anthology series, one that is purely indie and guerrilla in nature, has now spawned multiple films that feature a hapless and suffering Burglar, that is subjected to reading about twisted horror stories at the request of a malevolent spirit, and this is a franchise that has truly resonated with fans. In fact, the original was so well received by audiences and even the horror community, that its second chapter featured some horror heavies and that was so well received, that a third entry has arrived at last.

For Horrortales.666 Part 3 recently hit the on-demand market and well, the good news is that this sequel delivers on so many fronts. For starters, the wraparound story with the Burglar continues to impress. Because this poor man suffers more than ever here and tries his best to find agency and fight back against the evil… with interesting results to say the least, and that is critical to pleasing the audience and establishing the tone of this particular chapter. Because not only does it ease the viewer back into this twisted world, but the raw anger the wraparound story exhibits, informs the viewer that this sequel is going to do its best to differentiate itself from its predecessor, and truly freak us out.

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Which is mission accomplished for certain. Because at times, this is a supremely dark and disturbing horror anthology feature. In fact, the sequence, ‘Devious Stratagems’ wins out for darkest sequence in this film. Simply because it digs deep into the depravity and cruelty, we are capable of, and that leads to some supremely disturbing scenes for certain. The kind that will prompt some viewers to cringe and potentially turn it off. Because it gets that dark and that twisted, but that is obviously the intention. Since clearly, this sequel wants to up the ante and lean hard into the horror, and it isn’t the only vignette that goes the dark route. Because ‘Death is the Only Option’ also features some horribly unsettling moments.
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However, so that the terror is never overwhelming or overtly disturbing the other vignettes in this feature balance out the raw terror present here. Since ‘The Vessel’ offers up a magnificent homage to the ghostly horror films of the 1970s, complete with the right look since this segment appears as though it was filmed on 16mm or 35mm and has that 70s glow. Plus, it also features some wonderful twists and turns that keep the viewer engaged. Not to mention, ‘Victoria’ is also quite the treat. Since it harkens back to the genesis of the genre with a silent film style that takes us on quite the ride as we follow a lonesome vampire and the troubles she encounters.

If anything, all of these elements blend together to provide us with a delightful sequel. One that does the franchise proud by staying true to everything its predecessors established, all while taking the franchise in a bold new direction. One that informs us that the saga going forward is going to try new things and explore new concepts, and work harder to scare us, and that makes this a must-watch for certain, especially for hardcore horror fans. Because this one really does offer up everything we love about the genre and it is a good gateway flick to explore what the genre is capable of, and since this film makes mention of a sequel on the horizon… this is a story that leaves you excited to see what other ground this franchise can break. Courtesy of the freedom it enjoys by being free from the trappings of the old system of filmmaking.  

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