PopHorror Let's Get Scared
I love anthologies and I love indie horror so when I get the opportunity to check out a film that is both it’s a real treat. Recently I had the chance to check out the new indie horror anthology Phil Herman’s Unearthed.
Read on to see what I thought.
Synopsis
This anthology intricately interlaces four compelling tales, each orbiting individuals who unravel hidden, lost, or long-guarded secrets. Brace yourself for an exhilarating odyssey of discovery and suspense as “Unearthed” plunges deep beneath the surface to unveil mysteries concealed for far too long.
Phil Herman’s Unearthed was directed by Derek Braasch (Torture The Flesh), Will Devokees (Morbid Stories), Marcelo Fabani (I Slay On Christmas), Phil Herman (Burglar From Hell), James Panetta (Doomsday Stories), and Christopher Kahler (Steal Your Face). The film was written by Derek Brassch, Will Devokees, Marcelo Fabani, Phil Herman, James Panetta and Nina Trader (I Slay On Christmas). The film stars Tina Krause (Coven of the Black Cube), Debbie D (I Slay On Christmas), Heather Harlow (Tin Roof), Rudy Ledbetter (Bloodthirst) and Phil Herman.
Phil Herman’s Unearthed contains 4 stories and a wraparound. The first segment is The Ties That Bind, which follows a detective investigating a disappearance/possible murder that mirrors a case he solved 6 years prior. I really enjoyed this segment. It was pretty straightforward for the most part but it does have a pretty shocking twist that I didn’t see coming so I applaud it for that.
The second segment is Looks Towards The Sky, which follow a woman and her father in law as they look into the disappearance of her husband. This segment has some pretty effective effects work and works pretty well as a story that takes place in one location. The segment primarily focuses on 3 characters so it really gives the actors a chance to shine.
The third segment is Clean House, which follows a woman who calls on a priest to investigate paranormal activity in her home but things aren’t as they appear. This segment definitely stood out as it dealt more with the supernatural. There was some pretty unnerving makeup effects on display and there was some nice twists and turns on display.
The final segment is Highway Rivalry, which may very well be my favorite segment of this anthology. Where previous segments focused more on the mystery of what was going on, this takes that and mixes in slasher horror thrills, solid gore and some nudity. It’s definitely the most overtly and explicitly horror segment. What I love about Phil Herman’s Unearthed is it takes the theme of unearthing a mystery and gives us a lot of variety in the kinds of stories it tells, which keeps the film interesting throughout.
Final Thoughts
Phil Herman’s Unearthed is an anthology that features stories centered on unearthing mysteries. The segments contain a lot of variety in their storytelling and ever story has a distinct style and flavor. If you are a fan of indie horror and/or anthology I definitely recommend you check this out.
