Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Stay Out of the Attic’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

One important lesson that each and every one of us are taught at an early age, is to mind our own business. Which is a lesson that has a lot of merit, since a lot of what happens around us in the world, really has no impact upon our lives, and ignoring it and sticking to our own lives serves us quite well… since we have plenty to handle in our day to day as is. But while we know that this lesson is important and relevant, that doesn’t stop us from sticking our nose in other people’s business if the opportunity is there, since sometimes… you just have to know what’s going on. But while it is a thrill to see what’s happening outside of our purview from time to time, we tend to eventually return to our own little world, since we know deep down… that whatever is going on, is none of our business.

If anything, this particular lesson and the worldview it creates, really does beg quite the important question. In that, is it ever acceptable to step outside of our unique and comfortable bubble and involve ourselves in the affairs of others? Well, the answer to that question is an outright yes, when the person in question is in a tough situation that requires intervention to help them out. But even then, a great deal of folks will be hesitant to do just that. Since that lesson is engrained in their minds and there might be some risk in stepping into a situation where someone needs that kind of help and really, all of this is relevant to our discussion today, simply because this Thursday, Shudder is going to debut a horror film that explores all of those aforementioned elements in Stay Out of the Attic.

Now in this particular film, we meet a man named Schillinger who operates a fledging moving business that helps ex-cons get a second chance at life. And when we catch up with him here, he and his associates Imani and Carlos are preparing to try and pull off one hell of a move. For a mysterious and creepy client named Vern is hoping to have everything in his home moved within twenty-four hours. A task that Schillinger isn’t sure can be done, but thanks to a generous bonus and some words of encouragement from his cohorts, everyone pitches in to pull off the impossible. But as the night rolls along, some horrific discoveries within the home leave the crew to wonder, as to whether or not they should step in and assist in a situation that is clearly out of their purview. 

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So, the first thing that you’ll notice when settling in to watch this movie, is that it is a bit of a slow burn and that might turn some viewers off. After all, when you’re eager to watch a horror feature, you’re expecting for plenty to happen to satisfy your need for scares and gore. But stick with this one because once those aforementioned discoveries come into play, the movie kicks into overdrive and offers up some seriously twisted moments and some genuinely unsettling scares, the kind that will undoubtedly make some viewers turn away and well, that makes this quite the delightful horror film when all is said and done. Simply because it keeps you on your toes and does a fine job of exploring the central theme of how important it is to not mind our business when someone is in dire straits.   

But what truly makes this particular film so worth the audience’s time, is the sheer fact that it has more to offer than mere scares and splatter. For this is a horror flick that is also quite relevant to the times, since it has some terrifying and fascinating commentary to offer up in regard to systemic racism and its sudden resurgence in modern America and also how we can properly combat it. Which is quite the pleasant surprise to say the least, since you really don’t expect to find that kind of subtext and depth in a motion picture that is rightfully eager to offer up some fine homages to Wes Craven’s The People Under the Stairs, and focuses heavily on making you uncomfortable with some stellar effects from Special Effects Guru Vincent Guastini.

But that subtext is indeed present, and it is both fascinating and reviling and well, how exactly that comes to the surface of this story, is something that we are simply not going to spoil here in the slightest. Because Stay Out of the Attic is one of those horror films that you need to outright experience, since it truly is a visceral and intense story. One that genuinely knows how to get under your skin at every turn and that makes this one a must-see for certain, since it really does have something for every horror fan out there. So, if you’re looking for a wonderful scary story that offers up a bevy of fun moments, some quality commentary and nauseating buckets of gore, then give this one a look when it hits Shudder on Thursday, March 11, 2021.

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