Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Night of the Tommyknockers’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

There are a great many reasons to love the horror genre. After all, it is the only place in this world where we can experience true terror through and through, with minimal consequences when it comes to our safety. Since it offers us a safe space to explore our fears. Not to mention, the genre is also the perfect place for social commentary. Since the living dead, vampires, werewolves, and the other monsters that populate this genre, can serve as allegories for the woes of the world and teach us a great deal about those problems while we feel our heart racing, and in more recent years… this is a genre that has started to tackle very real world and intimate problems because horror knows no bounds. 
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But what we don’t talk about all that often regarding this genre, from a benefit perspective, is that it can also be educational in nature. Because in many ways, looking at classics and spending time with iconic monsters, does serve as a history lesson of sorts. One that informs us what the world was like back when the movie came out and of course… what we truly feared in that era and how those monsters reflected those fears. Not to mention, the genre can also introduce or reintroduce old monsters and legends that have been forgotten, giving rise to fresh scares and a desire to learn more about what we’ve just seen, and it just so happens… that a brand-new release from Mahal Empire Productions, accomplishes that particular feat.

For Night of the Tommyknockers is a horror feature that transports us back in time to the wild west, where we are introduced to the Dirk Gang. A ruthless gang of bank robbers that always defy the odds and get away with murder if the moment calls for it. Simply because they’ve figured out how best to infiltrate banks to rob them with minimal fuss and after their most recent job, they’re ready for their biggest score to date. For Deer Creek, Nevada is reportedly home to a lucrative gold mine and mountains of cash, and if they could quickly and cleanly rob the place… they would enjoy incredible comfort for as long as they desire. But when they arrive in the town, they discover that quite the roadblock is standing between them and becoming stinking rich. In that, an ancient evil has been awakened in the mine, and it hungers for any unfortunate soul within its grasp. 

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As it turns out, that ancient evil, is the legendary Tommyknocker. Creatures that were in many ways, an American version of a Leprechaun that caused trouble for those who didn’t respect their territory or their belongings and that brings about, one fascinating and fun horror feature. Since you’re immediately engaged in the story courtesy of the Tommyknocker. For they are indeed somewhat forgotten lore since the genre doesn’t spend a ton of time exploring their past and their existence for that matter as well. In fact, the closest thing we’ve had regarding them in the past forty years is Stephen King’s novel and miniseries, The Tommyknockers, which involved aliens. So, it is wonderful to be presented with a story that piques your curiosity about these monsters and compels you to learn more about them, after you’ve finished the journey of course, since this movie has so much more to offer.
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Such as wondrous homages. Since Director Michael Su pays tribute to the Westerns of yore with some gorgeous shots that evoke memories of the classics, alongside some tips of the cap to George A. Romero. Since this movie also reminds you of Night of the Living Dead and Day of the Dead (1985) courtesy of the setting and some intense underground moments. Speaking of intensity, that’s not the only sequence where you will find yourself on pins and needles in this story. For the horror side of the story is quite impactful in nature, since Mister Su uses jump scares the right way in this movie to spook you, along with atmosphere and our fear of the dark to really make the Tommyknocker a genuinely terrifying creature, and the majesty of this horror film doesn’t end with its nods and scares… the monsters themselves are of note as well.

Because the Tommyknocker as it is portrayed in this movie, is the stuff of nightmares. Courtesy of some magnificent special effects work from Vincent J. Guastini. For his designs have given rise to a being that is both from another plane and grounded in our world and they of course… supply buckets of gore in the story. But what is truly amazing, is that all of these elements of terror, are never overwhelming. Thanks to a script that takes the time to develop the characters and thanks to the choice to inject a little humor into the mix. Making this an accessible and delightful horror film when all is said and done. One that offers something for everyone since cinephiles can enjoy the wonder of the western, horror fans get the scares and the splatter, and the average viewer will find pure entertainment. All courtesy of a movie that takes the time to resurrect a classic monster and present it in a fresh and dynamic and terrifying light.

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