SCARE PACKAGE is a new horror-comedy anthology full of awesome short films. Every story honors (and spoofs) body horror and classic slasher films. This anthology includes both glorious moments and a few that didn’t work for me. Read our full Scare Package movie review here!
SCARE PACKAGE is a new horror-comedy anthology produced by Shudder. You really do not want to miss out on this one, if you love the classic horror movies of decades ago. This anthology truly pays homage to the most grotesque and amazing parts of especially slasher films and body horror.
Oh yes, there is a lot of blood and some wonderful stereotypes. All in good fun and while always being very tongue-in-cheek. If you enjoy horror anthologies with a good comedy twist, then be sure to also check out The Mortuary Collection on Shudder now!
You might like: Our review of The Mortuary Collection horror anthology here >
Continue reading our Scare Package movie review below.
A huge horror ensemble cast
This movie is very meta (from the beginning, so don’t let it catch you off guard) and all about the grotesque in combining horror and comedy. Of course, when something is very over-the-top, it will also include stories and references that aren’t your favorites. I know I certainly loved some moments, while I just waited for other segments to end so we could move on.
What made it all work very well as an anthology was the awesome ensemble cast. There are so many familiar faces in this horror-comedy. Some in smaller parts and others have larger character arcs to get through.
The cast includes Jeremy King (The Pale Door) Noah Segan (Follow), and Chase Williamson (John Dies at the End, All the Creatures Were Stirring). Also, Zoe Graham (Secret in Their Eyes), Jocelyn DeBoer (Dead Snow 2), and Josephine McAdam (The Mortuary Collection).
The segments of the Scare Package anthology
These are the segments and the writer-directors of each segment – including our rating of each.
“Cold Open”
by Emily Hagins – Super meta and the perfect opening. Rating: 4 out of 5
“Rad Chad’s Horror Emporium, Horror Hypothesis”
by Aaron B. Koontz (co-writer Cameron Burns) – This is essentially the wrap-around story for the entire horror-anthology. Rating: 3 out of 5
“One Time In The Woods”
by Chris McInroy – Full on body horror in the best horror-comedy way. Rating: 4 out of 5
“M.I.S.T.E.R.”
by Noah Segan – He also stars in this segment, which is short and pretty much perfect. Rating: 4 out of 5
“Girls’ Night Out Of Body”
by Courtney Andujar and Hillary Andujar – A lot of good moments and fun body horror. Rating: 3 out of 5
“So Much To Do”
by Baron Vaughn – A short segment that manages to convey a short and complete story. Rating: 3 out of 5
“The Night He Came Back Again! Part IV: The Final Kill”
by Anthony Cousins – This is the final segment that ties into the wrap-around. Rating: 3 out of 5
Do not miss out on Scare Package!
Scare Package was created by Aaron B. Koontz (Camera Obscura) and Cameron Burns. It originally premiered at Sitges Film Festival in Spain back in October of 2019. Since then it has been playing the biggest genre film festivals worldwide.
The biggest (and perhaps only) downfall of this horror-comedy anthology is the fact that it runs too long. At 107 minutes, it just doesn’t hold a consistently high level and it could have benefitted from cutting a segment or two.
Then again, maybe the segment cut would have been my favorite – or the one you’ll end up loving. For me, many segments were at a solid four, while the others landed on 3 out of 5. None hit the top rating for me but I never felt we were lower than a middle rating either.
Overall, I think this horror-comedy anthology should make most horror fans happy, so be sure to check it out!
Scare Package is already out on Shudder, and it will be out On Demand, Digital, DVD, and Blu-ray from October 20, 2020. The DVD and Blu-ray versions include many bonus features like Blooper Reel, Commentary etc.
Details
Creators: Aaron B. Koontz and Cameron Burns
Directors: Emily Hagins, Chris McInroy, Noah Segan, Courtney & Hillary Andujar, Anthony Cousins, Baron Vaughn, Aaron B. Koontz
Cast: Jeremy King, Noah Segan, Toni Trucks, Chase Williamson, Baron Vaughn, Joe Bob Briggs, Zoe Graham, Jocelyn DeBoer, Josephine McAdam
Plot
In SCARE PACKAGE, Chad Buckley is a lonely Horror aficionado, spending his days overseeing a struggling video store and arguing with his only customer, Sam. When an unsuspecting job applicant arrives, Chad sets out to teach him the rules of Horror; weaving in and out of hilarious segments geared toward the ropes and tropes of terror.
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