“Scary Stories”: Best horror movie of the summer; Gives the style of John Carpenter for a new era

As the film opens upon 1968, in small town Pennsylvania, the lyrics of Donovan’s “Season of the Witch” hints towards the film’s plot, as well as its behind the scenes development.

When choosing how to go about the real life designs for each creature, producer Guillermo Del Toro and director André Øvredal “picked up every stitch” from artist Stephen Gammell’s original drawings from the book series. The end result, of mostly practical effects, including prosthetics and makeup, accompanied by great contortionists and performance actors, is what creates the most impressive part of this movie: the monsters. 

From Harold the Scarecrow’s creaking walk through the corn fields, to the Pale Lady’s dreadful shuffle down the hospital corridor, all of the monsters are given their time in the spotlight, with each sequence becoming more unsettling and terrifying than the last. Certain designs and mannerisms of the creatures are reminiscent of Del Toro’s other creative uses of makeup and prosthetics, primarily in “Pan’s Labyrinth” and the Hellboy duology. The realism of the creatures designs’ is uncanny, only occasionally tainted by a small use of poor CGI in a few sequences.

Suspense works greatly in the film’s favor, with subtle details and sound edits used to build tension from scene to scene. Almost all of the frightening moments never feel forced, and rely on visual and auditory horror to make the sequences spine-chilling, rather than using the unnecessary jump-scare.

Where most horror movies falter in developing their main characters and maintaining the spectacle of their creatures, the script makes good use of both the male and female leads. Given plenty of motivation and backstory to make the audience engaged, Zoe Margaret Colleti’s Stella and Michael Garza’s Ramón become the leads you can root for in a horror movie; making smart decisions that don’t feel out of character, while also making the suspense higher when they do become threatened.

Unfortunately, our two leads are the only stand out human characters in the story. Other victims of the creatures’ attacks fall into your typical “horror movie victim” cliche. Had it not been for the spectacle and appearance of the creatures, certain characters’ demises would not feel earned, and the audience may find themselves rolling their eyes at stupid decisions being made, and then gasping at the terror taking place in front of them.

Thankfully, the script’s failures are made up for by two storytelling methods that are used to their fullest extent: location and soundtrack.

While all 6 stories are integrated effortlessly from page-to-screen, it is in large part due to the setting and time period of the film. Late 1960’s America takes away modern technology and connectability, allowing for the “race against time” element to work flawlessly, with no gaping plot holes or “easy ways out”. Being in rural Pennsylvania at the time of the Vietnam War allows for some subtle political comedy, but is also used as proper motivation for male characters, which doesn’t feel forced.

The time period is also a major opponent for Ramón’s character. Being of Mexican descent, he is the subject of much ridicule and discrimination by his fellow townsfolk, a plot point which feels prominent and well deserved given producer Del Toro’s life story.

The score, composed by Marco Beltrami, who previously worked on 2018’s “A Quiet Place”, once again uses subtlety to his advantage. Rather than having sudden swells of music insinuate fear, the score creeps up on you in scenes, causing uneasiness from repetition of motifs and themes over the course of the movie.

“Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” plays like a love-letter to classic John Carpenter horror movies from the 1970’s, using the same techniques and styles, but for a younger and more modern audience.

Conclusion: The film’s very few failures are forgiven due to its originality, creativity, and overall impressiveness. You can tell by the sheer hard work put into the creatures that every person involved in this film gave it their all. It’s the perfect movie to close out the summer.

Rating: 7/10