With Halloween fast approaching, there’s no better time to dive into some indie horror—and A Halloween Feast is a wild horror-comedy that should top your list.
The film follows a family whose matriarch, Angela Long, has gone a little insane. Actually, “a little insane” might be an understatement. In the months leading up to Halloween, her behaviour takes a drastic and dangerous turn—she kills pets without a second thought and even cuts off her husband’s index finger. Sent away for rehabilitation, Angela is released just in time for Halloween. Predictably, this proves to be a grave mistake, as she has a feast planned that’s unlike any other.
Written by Guile Branco and Arthur McClen and directed by Branco, A Halloween Feast is packed with unexpected twists that no one will see coming. Lynn Lowry, known for her role in the original The Crazies, delivers a standout performance as Angela, flawlessly balancing the character’s comedic and psychotic sides. Whether portraying a concerned mother, a deranged killer, or even a dominatrix, Lowry handles each shift with surprising ease. Other notable performances include Julia Coulter as “Karen Long” and Asia Lynn Pitts as “Goth Girl”.
Gore is abundant in this film, as are taboo themes like cannibalism and incest, but the special effects, despite the modest budget, are cleverly used to enhance the comedy. Imagine the famous subway grate scene from The Seven Year Itch—but instead of a breeze, it’s a squirting artery. The cinematography is generally solid, though there are a few minor lighting issues.
What truly stands out about A Halloween Feast is its unpredictability. From the opening sequence explaining B.C., A.D., and B.H. (Before Halloween), to the final scene with a person in a dinosaur costume driving off with a knife lodged in their chest, the film keeps viewers on their toes. While some of the plot twists are straight out of a soap opera, the sheer absurdity of the story makes for an entertaining watch. I usually pride myself on figuring out plot twists, but it was refreshing to be kept guessing throughout. Though the film’s various storylines don’t tie together as neatly as I would have liked, the chaotic, off-the-wall nature of it all made for a memorable experience.
A Halloween Feast will be available to stream starting September 10th.
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