‘Where are your kids?’
Dead Shack is a 2017 Canadian comedy horror film directed by Peter Ricq from a screenplay co-written with Phil Ivanusic and Davila LeBlanc. It stars Lauren Holly, Valerie Tian, Donavon Stinson and Lizzie Boys.
On a weekend getaway at a rundown cabin in the woods, Jason, a cautious teen, his crude best friend Colin and his fearless older sister Summer are forced to work together, grow up and save their hard partying parents from their predatory neighbour (Lauren Holly) who is intent on feeding them all to her undead family…
Reviews:
“Perfectly acted with juicy gore and zombie-munching for days – the easy highlight of the horror/comedy Dead Shack – is the realistic (but goofy – that’s real, right?) familial relationships contained therein.” Michael Klug, Horrorfreak News
“Dead Shack provides plenty of excellent and inventive practical sfx for the traditionalist gorehound, but the witty R-rated Goonies vibe is what makes it succeed.” Stuart Wright, Britflicks
“Some films build to greatness while others start strong and fizzle out. Unfortunately, the new Canadian horror/comedy, Dead Shack, falls in the latter pile. The character dynamic is a tenuous mix of laughs and thrills early on, but as the minutes tick by and the action grows crueler the film struggles to keep viewers laughing.” Rob Hunter, Film School Rejects
“Dead Shack isn’t a lazily made effort by a long shot. Yet there is a lackadaisical energy on the humor half in need of more zomberrific zip. The movie isn’t mistuned so much as not necessarily tuned at all. Characters present many of their quips straight, and get good gags out of general goofiness.” Ian Sedensky, Culture Crypt
“Dead Shack kind of has the feel of an 80s movie – picture a Goonies–Evil Dead mashup. And there’s still plenty of gore and tense framing and a pretty heart-pounding soundtrack to satisfy the sickest of you souls.” Assholes Watching Movies
“Dead Shack aims to be a foul-mouthed Stranger Things, but the film’s ambition exceeds its execution. Add in a few more scares and a lot less groan-worthy dad jokes, and Dead Shack could have been the best kind of B-movie kitsch.” Victor Stiff, Sordid Cinema
Main cast:
- Lauren Holly
- Valerie Tian
- Donavon Stinson
- Lizzie Boys
- June B. Wilde
- Taylor St. Pierre
- Hannah Rochelle Burr
- Cameron Andres
- Gabriel LaBelle
