“Scared to Death” follows a group of filmmakers who attend a séance at an abandoned children’s orphanage to do research for a movie.
A Movie About Making Movies
You don’t need to be a horror fan to enjoy “Scared to Death.” All film lovers will likely find enjoyment in the basic premise alone. At its core, this is a movie about making a movie.
Viewers are able to explore the ins and outs of filmmaking, with behind-the-scenes looks at sets, production meetings and more.
Every character within “Scared to Death” is based on a stereotype. Grumpy director. Unhappy assistant. Inebriated actors. The list goes on. While these over-the-top clichés fall flat in other films, they work here. The writing and performances make the personalities feel purposeful. Because of this, the parodic approach sticks.
The entire cast is at the top of its game, but Lin Shaye (Max) and Bill Moseley (Felix) will likely be the most recognizable. Shaye brings constantly bitter and angry energy while adding wit to her character with exaggerated reactions. Moseley provides a gentle and subtly hilarious presence. Both are additions that genre fans will appreciate.
“Not sure what we could have done to make this movie better, and I sure hope the horror fans eat us up – well, not literally,” Moseley said.
Also starring are Olivier Paris (Jasper), Victoria Konefal (Lena), B.J. Minor (Johnny), Kurt Deimer (The Grog) and Jade Chynoweth (Champ).
Comedy Meets Horror
“Scared to Death” isn’t glamorous, mostly taking place in a run-down orphanage. But production designer Scott Campbell keeps the setting engaging. Steven Poster’s cinematography and Ed Shiers’ editing add to this. While the scares may be minimal, slow pans and quick transitions result in several effective jump scares when you least expect them.
The early stages of “Scared to Death” can easily be compared to Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen’s series “The Studio.” As it progresses into horror territory, it grows more akin to films like “The Cabin in the Woods” and “Shaun of the Dead.”
While not as sharp as those meta entries, “Scared to Death” remains relevant. Writer-director Paul Boyd comedically inserts dialogue about religion and even the exploitation of tragedy.
In creating the film, Boyd was influenced by his own life, having once owned a home that others labeled as “haunted.”
“Being a non-believer I never experienced anything supernatural in the house,” he said. “My wife and kids on the other hand, that’s a different story. They had multiple terrifying experiences which to them felt absolutely real. This paradigm inspired me to make a film about ‘believing is seeing,’ and that’s where the story started.”
Finale That Ends Too Quickly
The conclusion of “Scared to Death” will likely frustrate many viewers. Because in the blink of an eye, it ends. The central storyline isn’t tied together with a neat bow. Instead, the film hammers home its message about belief in the final moments.
The finale is complete and not necessarily ambiguous – just cut short. Viewers may find themselves wishing for five to 10 more minutes of action as the credits begin to roll.
This is a movie made for everyone. Horror fan? There’s enough blood to satisfy those cravings. Comedy fan? There are plenty of laughs to go around. Film fan? It’s a movie about making a movie. There’s fun here for fans of many genres.
“Scared to Death” doesn’t take itself too seriously and features a talented cast that elevates the premise beyond simple parody. It’s a horror-comedy that pokes fun at everyone and may gain a cult following because of it.
Rating: 4 out of 5
