3 DEAD TRICK OR TREATERS (2016) Reviews and overview

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‘Pulp literature for deceased youth’

3 Dead Trick or Treaters is a 2016 Canadian horror anthology film written, edited and directed by Torin Langen (Late Night Double Feature; shorts: Malleus Maleficarum; Fondue; Curse of the Bog Zombie). The Candle Flame Films production stars Holden Levack, Jeremy Charles Singer and Raven Cousens.

After stumbling upon the graves of three murdered trick or treaters, a small town paperboy discovers a series of handwritten horror stories tacked to the children’s headstones…

Reviews:

“There is no expository dialogue, no text on screen apart from the titles, nothing. This means Langen had to be very careful about how everything was set up and shot to make the stories comprehensible, it’s not something a lot of directors could have done and he deserves a lot of credit for it. That the stories are also effectively creepy is another plus.” Jim Morazzini, Beneath the Underground

“It’s a bold attempt to do something different, and Langen wisely keeps the movie short – about 75 minutes. My only comment would be that there’s not enough variety of locations – drab and miserable though they are – so the segments end up looking a bit indistinguishable. Nice job though.” Dark Eyes of London

” …this film is f*cking gruesome.  It does not shy away from blood and gore. The kills are not that original when you consider the subject but the effects are great. In fact, I was not expecting the quality of effects that we are given. Overall, 3 Dead Trick or Treaters is a solid horror anthology for the month of October.” Horror Society

“Despite being thoroughly experimental in nature, it’s much more accessible than your typical arthouse offering. There’s a retro, indie aesthetic that will speak to fans of 1970s and early 1980s era horror, as well as aficionados of grindhouse and drive-in era splatter fests. The film is a creative and enjoyable experience throughout…” Joshua Millican, Horrorfreak News

“You could call it a silent film, if it weren’t for the wealth of lush and extremely evocative instrumentation – cellos to reverb-laden acoustic to electric plucking and flamenco guitars, violins, and yes, even banjos…And it’s an anthology too. How’s that for juxtaposition? To the extent that 3 Dead Trick or Treaters succeeds more than it fails, is an achievement given the circumstances…” Really Awful Movies

3 Dead Trick or Treaters is an attractive and crisp film with plenty of beautiful imagery of the Autumn season. The music is in sublime marriage with the arresting visuals and is an essential part of the overall experience […] It can’t be denied the shorts all share similarities between them, but as a pure experience there isn’t an anthology quite like this…” Daniel Simmonds, The Rotting Zombie

Release:

A Blu-ray + DVD edition of the film, which previously had a very limited VHS release, with special features including interviews, audio commentary by director Torin Langen, a stills gallery, trailers, etc. is available via Videonomicon

Main cast:

  • Holden Levack
  • Jeremy Charles Singer
  • Raven Cousens
  • Youp Zondag
  • Emma McDonald
  • Rebecca McAulay
  • Mickey Conde
  • Erin Stuart
  • Rebeca MacKinnon
  • Eric Repke
  • Maxwell Lantz
  • Olivia Susan Pluard
  • Mike McCarville
  • Andrew Smart
  • Lindsay Stewart

Filming locations:

Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

Technical details:

73 minutes
Aspect ratio: 1.78: 1

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