Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 starsThree stars with a caution…
Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2023
I have always liked horror. I grew up watching old horror and science fiction movies at “Creature Features” on Saturday morning matinee shows and Friday and Saturday night’s “Shock Theater “. I saw many of the movies of that time that ranged from interesting (but ridiculous) to pretty good horror and science fiction. Occasionally there would be a real gem but mostly it was just great being able to stay up late and getting creeped out. The fear of the unknown was truly scary and terrifying but the inevitability the movie’s interpretation of the monster/supernatural being/alien, etc. was never quite up to the imagination. Show hosts like Vampira and Svengoolie weren’t around yet and usually the movies they showed couldn’t standup to the “classic” B movies that I grew up with.
“Horror Show” starts out like a classic B movie horror tale and the good creepy vibes returned that keeps you anxious and excited to keep reading. BUT, it then replaces or substitutes gross for creepy. Sometime in the late sixties or early seventies the trend changed from true horror to trying to really gross people out and the more grossness the better. “HORROR SHOW” follows that trend. The beginning of the story is promising with a good set up but then replaces horror with grossness. I know some would say that this grossness is horror but to me it is just disgusting. The plot then jumps in time and recovers the original creepiness that it promises in the beginning and finishes well. Overall “HORROR SHOW” is worth the read but know that it doesn’t quite hold up throughout.
