Hello, horror fans! Welcome to this edition of Underrated Horror Movie of the Month. If this is your first time stopping by, hi, thanks for being here. Twice every month, on the second and fourth Fridays, I come here to talk about a horror movie that I feel is underrated and underloved. I dive into the most common reasons viewers dislike the film and talk about why I like it, among other factors. In this edition, I am talking about 2022’s Spirit Halloween: The Movie. Stick around to see why I think this one deserves more love.
About Spirit Halloween: The Movie
Taking place around the popular seasonal store Spirit Halloween, this movie is the story of a group of kids looking for a fun way to spend the holiday. The three friends believe they have outgrown the tradition of trick-or-treating. Now, they are searching for something spooktacular. They decide to spend the night in a Spirit Halloween that recently opened in a deserted strip mall. The only problem with their plan, other than the fact that it is illegal, is that they have to survive what goes bump in the night.
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This film stars Donovan Colan, Jaiden J. Smith, Dylan Martin Frankel, Marissa Reyes, Rachael Leigh Cook, Billie Roy, Christopher Lloyd and Marla Gibbs. David Poag directed the film and Billie Bates wrote the story.
Spirit Halloween: The Movie has a 54 percent Tomatometer Score and a 53 percent Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes. IMDb users give it 4.5/10.
My Thoughts
As always, I dove through online reviews to determine why this movie does not have a higher rating. From what I read, most viewers seem to agree that the plot is solid and the atmosphere is good, but many were underwhelmed. According to the various reviews, it seems that most were expecting more scares, and quite a few were disappointed by the acting.
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As far as being underwhelmed, I think that is more about perspective. This is not something the blood and guts crowd will love, nor is it for those who prefer intense horror. If you have not seen this one, it is absolutely more of a mild horror meant for the whole family. Think along the lines of Beetlejuice, Stranger Things, Hocus Pocus or Practical Magic. This line of thinking also covers the more minimal scare scenes.
Even though there are not a ton, there are some creepy moments in Spirit Halloween: The Movie, especially involving the animatronics. Anyone familiar with the actual store knows they are famous for huge animatronics. There are scarecrows, dogs, spiders, bog witches, spirits and so many others. Some of these are utilized in the film for the scare factor and general creepiness. I feel like they could have been used even more than they were, but it did provide a good tool for a horror movie. Think about it, you are in a store filled with giant Halloween decorations that move and make noise when activated. Suddenly, they begin moving on their own and attacking. Shockingly fear-inducing.
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In terms of the acting, I think the kids did a good job. It may not be on the level with some of the A-listers, but that does not mean it was bad. I suppose, much like anything within media, performance is subjective. The only thing I will say here is, don’t be swayed by comments on the acting, if you like this type of movie, give it a try and see what happens.
One review I saw called this film cheesy and yeah, it kind of is, but what else would anyone expect from an entire story based on the Spirit Halloween store? Come on, of course, it is kind of cheesy. Most movies of this type could be called such. Is Beetlejuice not a bit on the cheesier side of things?
Final Thoughts
While Spirit Halloween: The Movie may not be top-tier horror, I find it to be a fun, enjoyable watch. Anyone interested in giving it a shot can find it streaming on Shudder and AMC+. It is also available to rent on most digital platforms.
Until next time, horror fans, stay spooky and watch more horror movies. Before you go, check out the trailer below and then let me know your thoughts on this movie in the comments!
https://www.geekgirlauthority.com/movie-review-hocus-pocus-2/
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