PopHorror Let's Get Scared
One of the most talked about Vinegar Syndrome releases from 2019 was 1986’s Spookies. When they revealed that the Blu-ray was going to be a part of their Black Friday sale, seemingly overnight, there was a buzz among horror fans about the release. Spookies has a deep cult following, and has to be one of the most fascinating, low budget horror movies out there.
With a number of bizarre, rubber-customed monsters, Spookies is interesting in itself, but what went on behind the scenes is even more compelling. Vinegar Syndrome did an amazing job exploring this backstory in detail through the special features. They talk about VIPCO film distribution company owner, Michael Lee, who also worked on Spookies. The distribution company worked hard on this release, and it shows.
Spookies‘ synopsis:
An old man who is a sorceress tries to bring his dead wife back to life, through feeding on the lives of a group of friends.
Special Features:
- Newly scanned & restored in 4k from its 35mm original camera negative
- “Twisted Tale – The Unmaking of Spookies” – a feature-length making-of documentary, including a commentary track with documentary co-directors Michael Gingold & Glen Baisley and extensive deleted scenes
- “VIPCO – The Untold Story” – a feature-length documentary on the notorious UK home video label, including extended interview footage with Michael Lee (founder of VIPCO) and a trailer
- 2015 Alamo Drafthouse screening introductions with Spookies director Thomas Doran and co-writer/producer Frank M. Farel
- Q&A from a 2015 Hudson Horror Show screening with actor Peter Lasillo, actor Anthony Valbiro and production assistant Tom Sciacca
- Archival locations featurette with actor Peter Lasillo
- Pinreel outtakes and bloopers
- Behind the scenes still gallery
- Theatrical trailer
- Reversible cover with new artwork by Gary Pullin
- English SDH subtitles
Review
Spookies stars Peter Dain (Killer Dead 1992), Nick Gionta (Street Trash 1987), Joan Ellen Delaney (Igor and the Lunatics 1985), Peter Iasillo (Generation Um… 2012), Charlotte Alexandra (A Real Young Girl 1976), newcomers Anthony Valbiro, Soo Paek and Felix Ward, along with Kim Merrill (TerrorVision 1998), Lisa Friede (Dangerous Love 1981) and Maria Pechukas (Sangre Songes 1991). The screenplay was written by Frank M. Farel (Street Trash 1987), Thomas Doran (Mother Of Mercy, Is This The End Of Doublespeak? 2011) and Brendan Faulkner (Killer Dead 1992). Spookies was directed by Doran, Faulkner, and Eugenie Joseph (Mind Benders 1987).
Trying to explain Spookies to someone is an impossible task. In the first few scenes, you have a guy who looks like some kind of cat person and an old man sorceress who is trying to bring his dead wife back to life. There’s also a thirteen-year-old kid who’s been running around in the woods at night. I don’t know about you, but when I was young that’s what I did every year on my birthday. I went off to the woods at night to celebrate my special day all by myself.
There’s also a group of young college-aged friends that hang out with an older couple, although it’s never revealed why. It’s really odd, but that is Spookies. This large group of friends are looking to party, and they discover a large house. It just so happens that this large house belongs to the old sorceress who begins to kill them one by one, so that he can bring his wife back to life.
There is a line that is repeatedly said by the characters throughout the film: “What is going on here?” That’s the viewer’s question as well.
The Special FX
One thing that impressed me the most about the film is the special effects. For being a low budget film, Spookies’ special effects are amazing. At about the midpoint of the movie, you will start to see monsters popping up right and left. Some are not as good as others, but some really stand out.
For instance, one character, Carol (Lisa Friede: Dangerous Love 1988), transforms into some sort of zombie. Her make up and the mask she has on reminded me of some of the FX in the original Evil Dead (1981). Ken Brilliant (The Lost World: Jurassic Park 1997), John Dods (Monsters TV series), Ken Walker (Frankenhooker 1990) and Jon Mathews (The Deadly Spawn 1983) were on the special effects crew, and they did a great job despite the low budget.
Spookies 4K Transfer
I thought the transfer looked really good. Vinegar Syndrome seems to always do a good job with their Blu-ray transfers. I’m sure there might be a release here and there where the result is not be that good, but Vinegar Syndrome always attempts to make their transfers beautiful and clear. Spookies is no exception. (See: our other Vinegar Syndrome Blu-ray reviews – Wacko (1982), Body Melt (1993), and Pledge Night (1990), among others)
Final Thoughts
I know that Spookies is a big mess of a movie. The whole thing makes no sense, and really has to be experienced rather than understood. When hearing about the film, you might be tempted to think that it might be long, dull movie. Surprisingly, it will keep your interest for the full 85 minute run time. This is definitely one of the most insane low budget horror movies out there. The documentary on the making of the film is worth the price alone. Vinegar Syndrome has given us another amazing release. Get your copy today at the Vinegar Syndrome website.
