Originally set to be released in theaters two years ago, Michael Dougherty’s “Trick ‘r Treat” finally was released direct-to-DVD last week.
Normally, the phrase “direct-to-DVD” is short-hand for “too-awful-for-theaters,” and is reserved for horrible Disney spin-offs, unnecessary sequels and embarrassingly bad horror films.
But “Trick ‘r Treat” is the rare direct-to-DVD release that is actually really good. In fact, it’s the kind of film that will become an instant Halloween classic if people give it a chance.
“Trick ‘r Treat” is an anthology of four short stories about the importance of respecting the traditions of Halloween. While the film is definitely scary, it’s the kind of classic horror that emphasizes atmosphere over gore or cheap thrills. Actually, that’s an understatement.
“Trick ‘r Treat” is stuffed to the brim with Halloween imagery and nods to timeless horror films. In the world Dougherty introduces us to, Halloween is more than just an excuse to dress up and eat candy. Halloween has its own rules, and if you don’t follow them you are just asking for trouble.
For example, if you go around smashing Jack-o-Lanterns you will end up being poisoned by the school’s principal, who also happens to be a psychotic murderer.
The four tales work so well because the characters all seem familiar: the 20-something girls looking for dates for a big party, the young teenagers scaring each other with ghost stories, the creepy neighbor digging holes in his backyard at night and the miserly shut-in who never passes out candy.
They all seem real and authentic, and it’s pretty easy to imagine these people in every small town across the country. That’s also a pretty terrifying idea because nothing in “Trick ‘r Treat” is ever as it seems. Most of the stories twist and turn, never ending exactly as you’d expect.
All great horror films must have an iconic villain, and “Trick ‘r Treat” has Sam (short for Samhain, the Celtic festival of the dead), a demon-child in a creepy scarecrow costume.
At first he seems like a strange choice for the film’s mascot since he spends the majority of the movie standing in the background. But Sam is basically the Halloween enforcer; making sure everyone follows the rules and seeing those who break them get their just desserts. His moment in the spotlight comes in the final segment, and it’s definitely worth the wait.
What makes this film the perfect Halloween horror movie is just how much fun it is. Humor, suspense and horror are balanced extremely well, making it a great film to watch with a big group. It’s pretty scary and has some moments of gore, but even those who don’t really like horror films probably will appreciate just how well-made it is. The four stories and relatively short run-time mean the thrills and chills come fast and furious.
While definitely not the most original or the scariest horror film you will ever see, it’s certainly one of the most consistently solid. The writing is very clever, and all of the actors do a fine job, especially Brian Cox and Dylan Baker as the miserly Mr. Kreeg and the dastardly principal, respectively.
These veteran character actors are given the film’s meatier roles, and really turn in terrific performances. Another face people will recognize is Anna Paquin star of HBO’s “True Blood,” as the dateless virgin Laurie.
With a fun script, great acting and a truly perfect Halloween atmosphere, it’s really hard to imagine why Warner Bros. wasn’t confident enough in the film to release it in theaters. Over the last two years it has already developed somewhat of a cult following online, with those who were lucky enough to see it at special theatrical screenings, writing glowing reviews.
And, considering every Halloween we get another piece of garbage from the “Saw” series, a film as refreshingly original as “Trick ‘r Treat” probably would have done pretty well at the box office.
The film still has the potential to become a series as Dougherty is supposedly in the early stages of making a sequel. Given the film’s premise, it’s pretty easy to imagine future installments wouldn’t be too difficult. If he’s smart he will see audiences are loving “Trick ‘r Treat” and will find a new studio that is willing to give a sequel the theatrical release the original film deserved.
