PopHorror Let's Get Scared
There have been haunted myths, legends and horror stories about soul-stealing cameras since the earliest photograph. In his latest feature, Killer Camera Monsters, Writer/Director Ryan McBay (Transformers 2007) puts a new spin on this ancient idea with a cursed camera inflicting far worse of a fate.
Down on his luck, Adam Jones (Philip Orazio: Kill The Writer 2014) struggles to rebuild his photography business after parting ways with his girlfriend and business partner, Sarah (Lauren Compton: Death House 2018, Attack Of The Killer Donuts 2017 – read our review here). However, it seems Adam’s ex was the talent behind the duo’s venture as one client after another refuses the newly independent photographer’s business proposals. Although pushing him to his wits end, these setbacks do not stop the determined entrepreneur’s attempt at making it on his own.
Opening with a captivating scene before a long, drawn out buildup, Killer Camera Monsters finally finds traction as Adam, desperate for a competitive edge in a cutthroat industry, browses the internet for a new camera. This leads him to a deal that’s too good to be true. Is the camera stolen? Oddly enough, this doesn’t even seem to cross Adam’s mind. Other questions arise with no answers: what is the camera’s origin? Why does the seller want to part ways with it? Why is it cursed? But I digress. Hot merchandise will soon be the least of anyone’s worries.
Upon purchasing the camera, Adam is given an ominous warning to avoid using his new prized possession in artificial light. Of course, these words of caution go unheeded, which we all know worked out so well in the ’80s cult classic, Gremlins (1984).
Soon enough, Adam’s newly recruited assistant, Olive (Tiffany King: Ass Clowns: Constipated 2020), turns up dead and reports of animalistic attacks begin spreading throughout the city. In an attempt to uncover the cause of Olive’s death, her bubbly roommate, Tina (Bernadette Perez: Ugly Sweater Party 2018 – read our review here), hires P.I. Miller (Steve Filice: Dead 7 2016) to get to the bottom of things.
Taking a swing at comedic horror, Killer Camera Monsters misses more than it hits in an attempt to go over the top, but never quite gets off the ground. While some scenarios are slightly humorous and a few quirky lines may evoke some chuckles, there just aren’t any knee slappers or emphasized WTF moments that provoke bursts of laughter. Needless to say, this is no Tucker and Dale vs Evil (2010) or The Evil Dead (1981).
Although comedy may not be its strong suit, that is not to say there’s nothing redeeming about McBay’s second feature. The concept of models turning into vicious, feral, flesh-eating monsters is an intriguing direction that reflects strongly on an industry often seen as ruthlessly superficial and vanity obsessed. While the makeup effects to create these transformed monsters are simple, they get the job done. However, one cannot help but wonder what could have been if more creativity was used to visually display the ugly side of the modeling world.
Helping to hold this creature feature together during its rocky exploration of curses, monsters and modeling are the cast performances. As his character is seduced by the camera’s transformative power, Orazio gradually builds the level of obsession Arnie had for his unholy Plymouth Fury in John Carpenter’s timeless classic Christine (1983)… minus the fetishized romance. Seeing himself as a twisted, modern-day Frankenstein, he begins to snap, in an almost quirky Ash Williams kind of way. I guess there might be a touch of The Evil Dead in Killer Camera Monsters, after all.
Adding a silly yet lighthearted element to the film, Perez easily stands out as a sweet, ditsy character searching for answers. She is a lovable, well-meaning scatterbrain you can’t help but cheer on as she takes a heroic turn effectively adding to the climactic conclusion.
Despite falling short in the humor category, Killer Camera Monsters has some great ideas, which may have carried it further if taken a different direction. With some heavy lifting by the cast and character arcs, this display of horror is one watchable small budget flick some audiences will hate while many indie lovers will enjoy.
Watch Killer Camera Monsters now!
