PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Killer videotapes, vampire gunslingers, and bands performing in places where you probably shouldn’t wander alone. Happenstance Horror Fest’s animation and music videos block offers an unusual alternative to your Saturday morning cartoons.
The collection moves between animated shorts and horror-themed music videos, with mixed results. Some entries have stronger visuals than stories, while others struggle with production quality. But several standouts make the block worth exploring.
Maskirovka (animation)
With a Slender Man-like creature and a folk-horror atmosphere reminiscent of Midsommar, Maskirovka lands firmly on the unsettling side of animation. Its imagery provides an early reminder that cartoons have plenty of room for things you wouldn’t want following you home.
Prometheus – “Creature” (music video)
Prometheus performs its song in a park while a killer pursues the band members. It’s a straightforward horror music video setup with some potential for fun. The band is talented and the song is fun, even if the horror aspect is fairly generic.
I Beg Your Pardon (animation)
A husband murders his wife and disposes of her body, only to find that nobody seems particularly concerned. His story continues into even darker territory, eventually taking an unexpected turn toward the afterlife.
The Capsules – “Full Moon Factory” (animated music video)
“Full Moon Factory” features creatures roaming a park in a distinctly retro, 1960s feel. The throwback cartoon style gives it an identity within the lineup and provides a welcome visual change from the live-action band performances. It’s a fitting crossover between the block’s animation and music selections.
Intermission 2: Rewind or Die (animation)
Inside a video store, the tapes attack one another. That’s the premise, and this short makes good use of it.
Intermission 2: Rewind or Die is the funniest entry in the block. It takes a ridiculous idea, delivers its laughs, and keeps things brief. For anyone nostalgic for video-store browsing, there’s an extra bit of enjoyment in watching the merchandise turn on itself. Forget late fees. Apparently, the real trouble started after closing.
Ouroboros (animation)
Ouroboros tells its story using stylized animation with a comic-book appearance. Visually, there’s plenty to appreciate. Unfortunately, the story didn’t hold my interest nearly as well as the artwork. This was a case where I admired how something looked more than I enjoyed watching it.
Any Given Sin – “Through Hell” (music video)
Any Given Sin delivers the best musical entry of the group with “Through Hell.” The cornfield setting supplies an appropriate horror backdrop, while the production has a polish that helps it stand above the other band videos.
The band’s sound brought Daughtry to mind, and the song and visuals work well together. This was the most satisfying music-video package in the collection.
Mama Doom – “Woven Line” (music video)
While Any Given Sin takes the musical top spot, Mama Doom delivers the creepiest music video.
The blindfolded band and creepy aesthetics give “Woven Line” an unsettling focal point. Of the band videos, this one most effectively establishes the kind of atmosphere I want from a horror-festival selection. There’s something uncomfortable about the presentation that makes it stand out beyond the performance itself.
There’s a Visitor at the Door (animation)
The most unique of the animated entries, this claymation short is a strange little film, but the visual approach gives it character. A decent entry for viewers who enjoy their animation a little odd.
Eyes of Theia (music video)
A metal band performing in a creepy church sounds like a natural fit for a horror block. Unfortunately, this entry didn’t connect with me. I audio quality isn’t great and the story in the video itself wasn’t enough to overcome that hurdle.
Wren (animation)
Wren is easily the best animated entry of the block.
Its vampire-Western concept immediately caught my interest, and the polished, Pixar-like animation gives it a striking appearance. The stylized presentation makes this one a pleasure to watch. Of all the animated selections, Wren is the clearest recommendation.
Seneca – “Psycho Hysterical” (music video)
“Psycho Hysterical” reaches for a dark Madonna or Evanescence-style presentation. While the attitude is there; the video doesn’t quite deliver the atmosphere to support it. This was one of the weaker musical entries for me.
Happenstance’s animation and music videos block offers plenty of variety, even when the results are inconsistent. Wren leads the animation selections by a comfortable margin, and Intermission 2: Rewind or Die supplies the biggest laughs. Any Given Sin’s “Through Hell” is the best musical entry, while Mama Doom’s “Woven Line” delivers the creepiest video.
