‘Tales from the Darkside’ Retro Recap: ‘Halloween Candy’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

One particular aspect of horror that we often forget about, and understandably so, is that horror stories can be a healthy experience now and again. Which may seem outlandish to say, since these stories often feature terrifying monsters that haunt our dreams or make us nauseous with the anatomy lesson, they tend to provide us with, but it is true. Because sometimes, they offer us powerful insight into our own troubles as we watch a character we relate to, suffer from our own emotional pain and it is inspiring to watch them overcome it through defeating evil. Plus, sometimes they can open our eyes to a problem in our world and leave us feeling hopeful that perhaps we can make an impact upon such matters now that we know about it. 
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Not to mention, they can also offer us, catharsis. Because sometimes the satire present in these stories or the wicked characters that die, help us feel better about the world. For it can be an unjust place where bad people don’t get their just desserts or the wickedly cruel face no consequences for their actions. And seeing a monster tear them to shreds with impunity or seeing their value system fail in the middle of a monster heavy crisis, just lifts us up and reminds us that evil doesn’t always get its way and the universe can be a just place now and again. One filled with justice through karma, and really… that catharsis aspect of horror is top of mind today, simply because the next episode of Tales from the Darkside provides its viewer with just that, courtesy of a terrifying tale of terror.

A feat that ‘Halloween Candy’ accomplishes, by introducing us to a supremely rotten man named Mr. Killup. Who simply hates everything about life and everyone within it, even his son, Michael. Who tries his best to support his father, out of an understanding of what it means to respect one’s elders. But even that is a feeble act, since his dad always has bile to spew and when we meet them here, Michael is trying desperately to get his father to be nice on a very important night, Halloween to be specific. Simply because he wants his dad to be seen as decent in the neighborhood. But dear old dad hates kids, hates Halloween and despite Michael leaving his pop some candy to give out on this night to improve his image, this rotten old man finds a way to weaponize it and make life miserable for the kids just looking for a handout, without consequences of course… or so it seems. For on this night, a very special trick or treater has arrived on Mister Killup’s doorstep, and he will not be leaving until he gets his candy and until Killup, gets what he deserves for his cruelty. 

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Which is… a wonderful way to bring forth some catharsis. Because we’ve all met men like Mister Killup in some capacity. Those hardened older folk that lose respect for everyone and everything and are bitter about their lives and eager to take their frustrations out on everyone and everything and well, it is indeed comforting to finally see a guy like that, one that bullies kids no less, deal with a little fear and a little suffering for a change. Granted, this story takes his punishment to the next level by killing him through starvation, which may seem extreme, but this is after all, a horror vignette we are dealing with here. And men like Killup really don’t escape these kinds of stories unscathed and with a new outlook on life. They pay the piper, and we feel a sense of justice over this universe taking care of a cruel man who likely imparted abuse upon his son.
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Speaking of how Killup gets his just desserts, well that is handled by that strange little trick-or treater that drops by. For this child-like, troll-esque being is relentless and evil and he brings forth all the horror elements in this story. For his arrival is surreal and ethereal and even nightmarish at times, and his ability to lurk in the shadows and surprise at the right time, brings forth some excellent scares. The kind that are genuinely creepy and unsettling, giving rise to an amazing horror story. One that gives you the creeps through and through and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Since you just don’t know when that little Halloween imp is going to appear and wreak more havoc on Killup and your own heart, and that is quite frankly, a testament to the director of this story, a Mister Tom Savini.

Who once again steps behind the camera to offer up more fine work here, courtesy of perfect cuts and shots that help to add a claustrophobic feeling to the story, complete with impactful jump scares and a sense of realism, and really, in the end, this is just a phenomenal entry in this series. Because it has it all, really. A great setup, a great story and characters with depth. Alongside a creature that ignites both fear and our imagination and this is a story that really holds up well after all these years. Simply because, it sticks to the basics and features everything we want from a quality horror story. It even features one last cruel twist of fate involving the sins of the father that just adds to the bleakness of the story and well, you cannot ask for much than that from a horror tale or this series. Because this one, really is a perfect tale of cathartic terror. Until next time, try to enjoy the daylight.  

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