Horror films are meant to have a few key elements to be effective. They should be unsettling, entertaining, and interject a twisted sense of humor. Well renowned horror film writer/director Tom Holland has accomplished such feats in his career including the 80’s classics Psycho II (1983), Fright Night (1985), and Child’s Play (1988). Fast-forward to present day and Holland is shocking audiences once again with his anthology of tales titled Tom Holland’s Twisted Tales. Originally premiering on Fearnet in 2013, the series is now available in one well-knit package on DVD.
In the vein of Creepshow (1982), Tales From The Dark Side, and Tales From The Crypt, Tom Holland’s Twisted Tales is an introduction into madness broken up into nine stories. Holland himself introduces each tale like a modern day Rod Serling or Alfred Hitchcock; adding to the fun and enjoyment of the overall film. Some plots are thick in deception, lies, jealousy, and infidelity, while others take on a more traditional horror vibe with demons, werewolves, and vampires. Joining Holland’s vision into darkness is a well rounded group of actors including William Forsythe (The Devil’s Rejects 2005, Boardwalk Empire), Danielle Harris (Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitters Dead 1991, Rob Zombie’s Halloween 2007), Ray Wise (X-Men: First Class 2011), AJ Bowen (Hatchet II 2010), Sarah Butler (I Spit On Your Grave 2010), and Jose Pablo Cantillo (The Walking Dead) among others.
- Still from Twisted Tales
With each story clocking in no more 15-20 minutes each, the backbone of the plots are kept fresh throughout. Playing with your mind at times, these unique well-written stories leave you on the edge of your seat while concluding in a satisfactory matter. Some of the concepts driven home from tale to tale are the horrors we can commit as human beings, morbid visions of modern technology, and how fragile the balance between sanity and insanity really is. With acting that is at moments campy and comedic, Holland definitely brings together a great atmosphere like a horror film of yesteryear. It is too often modern horror that films take themselves entirely too serious and that can be an epic failure. Holland leads us into fear and thought-provoking ideas while making us chuckle and smirk at the same time effectively.
- Still from Twisted Tales
Tom Holland’s Twisted Tales is an entertaining watch from start to finish. While some tales may grab one viewer more strongly than the other, there is something for every fan of the macabre here. An Easter egg provided for Fright Night fans is a vampire in one of the segments wearing an Evil Ed t-shirt. The DVD is worth adding to your collection with a nice slipcover containing novel style artwork and a behind-the-scenes featurette for inquisitive fans. CrypticRock give Tom Holland’s Twisted Tales 4 out of 5 stars.
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