Review: Raven’s Hollow (2022)
As a literary figure, Edgar Allan Poe works have been a popular source for film adaptations for nearly a century, but what about films about the man himself? Raven’s Hollow, which landed last week on Shudder, attempts to mine a part of Edgar Allan Poe’s biography for a fantasy horror film.
Does this Shudder Original evoke the master of suspense and horror, or does it end up lacking?
Raven’s Hollow (2022)
The 2022 horror thriller, Raven’s Hollow, follows a group of West Point cadets, including a young Edgar Allan Poe, who find a dying man lashed up in a field during a routine training exercise, leading them to the secretive and dready community of Raven’s Hollow. Soon they will find themselves involved in a mystery that threatens to take out every cadet.
Raven’s Hollow is the directorial effort of Christopher Hatton who co-wrote the story with Chuck Reeves, loosely adapted from Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven and elements of Poe’s biography. The film stars William Mosely as Poe, with Melanie Zanetti, David Hayman, Kate Dickie, and Oberon K.A. Adjepong.
What Worked with Raven’s Hollow
The film in concept seemed interesting, but the execution was lacking. The idea of a young Edgar Allan Poe as a West Point cadet engaged in some mystery that resulted in his being thrown out of the army is an interesting one, but the film didn’t quite stick the landing. With that said, there are a couple of bright spots.
While the cast as a whole is fine, the real standouts are Kate Dickie (Game of Thrones) who plays Elizabet Ingram and Oberon K.A. Adjepong (The Many Saints of Newark) as Usher. They have the more interesting roles as the secondary cast and their performances feel appropriately grounded for the situation. I should also mention the rather over-the-top characterisation of Dr. Garret, as played by David Hayman. Hayman plays Garret as a broader figure, but it suits the tone, reminding me of the tone of Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow.
What About Poe, Though?
As for the lead, William Mosely (The Royals), I found him effective. I suppose. The Edgar Allan Poe of this film has no real character beyond that of protagonist. He doesn’t have much to work with, and the fact he keeps getting called Poe, when historically his army surname was Perry, indicates the film is trying to brute-force the idea he is Edgar Allan Poe into viewer’s minds without showing the traits that actually made the man who he was. It also didn’t help that the West Point cadets as a whole kind of ran together and at times I lost track of who was who as a few of them have striking similarity to one another in looks and about one personality stretched across four men.
Visually, some of the scenery of Latvia, where most of the location shoot took place, can be quite nice, and I found most of Michael Rizzi’s cinematography to be good. It’s just a shame that the color grading and lighting just made everything look flat, cold, and grey.
What Didn’t Work
I have a number of problems with the film that can probably be classified into three camps: accuracy, aesthetics, and storytelling, and I found significant issues in all three areas.
Raven’s Hollow is a fantasy film that tries to forge an event in the life of it’s version of Poe that would inspire him to take up the pen later in life. I don’t have an issue with that, either. It can be a fun storytelling conceit, but the films tone doesn’t really evoke Poes writings at all, and there are some elements of his biography that go ignored to service the story. Such references grow doubly-insulting when the film’s references to his eventual canon are ham-handed.
The film is also dreary to look at. For something gothic that would make sense, but this film is so grey and flatly lit that it is visually exhausting. The film’s best, most colorful moment comes from a splash of blood on a glass window that actually provides some thematic color to a scene. That was the only time this happened, however leaving the majority of the runtime a tiring grey and black screen. Poe can be visually interesting… look at any of Vincent Price‘s Poe films.
Lastly, the story is a mess. The central mystery is non-sensical and doesn’t offer many shocks as people are picked off in a creepy village that exists solely to whittle down the cast. The legend that comprises the entity at the center of the film also has seemingly nonsensical and the resolution is dramatically inert.
Final Impressions of Raven’s Hollow
Raven’s Hollow didn’t work for me for a few reasons, namely how little I cared for the story and the connections to the works of Edgar Allan Poe feel so cursory and lacking any depth. In truth, there seemed little connection to the West Point cadet of the film and the man who would come to write some of America’s greatest gothic literature. The film is also overly drab and offers a bizaar and nonsensical series of events it presents as a “mystery.”
I cannot recommend Shudder‘s Raven’s Hollow at all, even for the very few interesting moments that pop up in the film’s 1 hour 38 minute runtime.
(1.5 / 5)
Want A Better Slice of Poe? (Sponsored)
If you are looking for a better Edgar Allan Poe experience overall, might we suggest a copy of 1961’s The Pit and the Pendulum with Vincent Price? it’s a wonderful adaptation of Poe’s story directed by Roger Corman. Snatch a blu-ray for yourself and use our sponsored link to help support Haunted MTL.
Alright, you sick puppies, gather ’round for a tale of family bonding, teenage angst, and good old-fashioned murder. “Bloody Axe Wound” is here to tickle your funny bone and possibly remove a few other bones while it’s at it.
The Gist: Serial Killing as a Family Business
Picture this: a video store that’s actually a front for some seriously messed up snuff films. The twist? The owner’s a serial killer who’s been slicing and dicing teens faster than you can say “late fees.” But wait, there’s more! His daughter, Abby Blake Cut (yeah, that’s her name, deal with it), wants in on the family business. Talk about bring-your-daughter-to-work day gone horribly wrong!
“Bloody Axe Wound” is like “90210” decided to do a crossover with “Halloween” – Jim Phoenix, HauntedMTL
Daddy’s Little Monster
So, Daddy Dearest isn’t too keen on his baby girl following in his bloody footsteps. I mean, come on, it’s 2024 – girls can be anything they want, even psychopathic murderers! But our guy’s stuck in the past, probably still thinks women belong in the kitchen (chopping vegetables, not people).
![Jennifer's Body [Blu-ray]](https://hauntedmtl.com/wp-content/plugins/aawp/public/image.php?url=YUhSMGNITTZMeTl0TG0xbFpHbGhMV0Z0WVhwdmJpNWpiMjB2YVcxaFoyVnpMMGt2TlRGMGRsRkxRbXAxVWt3dVgxTk1NVFl3WHk1cWNHYz18MTczNjYxOTUwMw=)
- Factory sealed DVD
- Megan Fox, Amanda Seyfried, Johnny Simmons (Actors)
- Karyn Kusama (Director) – Diablo Cody (Writer) – Mason Novick (Producer)
Last update on 2025-01-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
A Feminist Slasher? You Bet Your Ass!
Abby’s not just fighting for her right to party (and by party, I mean brutally murder people). She’s breaking down barriers in the male-dominated field of serial killing. Move over, Jason and Freddy – there’s a new blade in town (no, not Mahershala Ali…only one real Blade…), and she’s got a point to prove (several points, actually, all of them sharp).
Horror Tropes Galore
This flick’s got more tropes than a teenager’s got hormones:
- Awkward sexual exploration? Check.
- That one friend who’s way too old to be hanging with high schoolers? You betcha.
- A cursed town where everyone’s oblivious to the killer in their midst? Oh, honey, it’s all here.
It’s like “90210” decided to do a crossover with “Halloween,” and somehow it works!
![Ginger Snaps (Collector's Edition) [Blu-ray]](https://hauntedmtl.com/wp-content/plugins/aawp/public/image.php?url=YUhSMGNITTZMeTl0TG0xbFpHbGhMV0Z0WVhwdmJpNWpiMjB2YVcxaFoyVnpMMGt2TlRGQ2NYaFhUMVoxZGt3dVgxTk1NVFl3WHk1cWNHYz18MTczNjYxOTUwMw=)
- Factory sealed DVD
- Kristopher Lemche, Emily Perkins, Katharine Isabelle (Actors)
- John Fawcett (Director) – Steven Hoban (Producer)
Last update on 2025-01-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Verdict: 4.5 out of 5 Bloody Thumbs Up
Look, I’m not saying “Bloody Axe Wound” is gonna win any Oscars (unless they finally add that “Best Dismemberment” category I’ve been lobbying for). But hot damn, it’s a fun ride. It’s got laughs, it’s got gore, it’s got a weirdly heartwarming father-daughter story if you squint hard enough. This one is a rewatchable movie and probably a cult classic for many of us.
So, grab your popcorn, leave your sensitivity at the door, and get ready for a movie that’ll make you laugh, cringe, and possibly reconsider your family dynamics. Just remember: the family that slays together, stays together!
(4.5 / 5)
P.S. Don’t bring the kids. Unless you want them to have a very awkward conversation with their school counselor.
P.P.S. Sorry, once again, for killing your name in our podcast…
Movies n TV
Dexter Original Sin F is for Fuck-Up dives deeper into the horrors of a beloved character
Episode five of Original Sin was surprisingly light. At least, as light as a show can be when it involves murder, teenage drug use, and the anniversary of the death of a beloved parent.
The story
We begin this episode right where the last one left off. Mad Dog, Dexter’s latest victim, is hit by a car and killed. This leaves Dexter with the unpleasant chore of cleaning up a crime scene but not being able to actually kill someone.
Meanwhile, Harry is getting ready for the trial of Levi Reed. This trial seems like it will be a slam dunk, except for one terrible surprise. Turns out Harry messed up and hid what probably wouldn’t have been evidence strong enough to dismiss the case until he hid it.
What worked
One of the reasons why Dexter is so popular is that it’s funny. While it is a show that deals with very heavy subject matter, it’s also managed to be funny most of the time.
This episode is funny. It starts with Dex cursing over and over while he frantically and meticulously cleans up his crime scene, then hiding in a corner with a bag of incriminating trash. We later see him eat way too many pot brownies and get high as a kite, then eat two pizzas while laughing at I Love Lucy with Deb.
These are funny scenes that fit into the heaviness of the show. It doesn’t feel like emotional whiplash when we go from the kids getting high to Harry having a mental breakdown because that makes sense. Rather than forcing humor where it doesn’t belong, the writers made this comedy make sense.
I also loved that we’re seeing Dexter become who he will be. He’s terrified of losing control. He’s always learning how to kill more efficiently. And for someone who claims to not have regular human emotions, he already seems to understand a lot more about how the people around him are likely to act.
At least, he gets how Harry’s going to respond.
I like that he’s not just a teen version of the same character. I like that we’re seeing how this young mentally ill man changed into the adult mentally ill man we all know and love.
Finally, we are really seeing the depths of how bad of a cop, and frankly a person, Harry is. Because Harry isn’t a good person.
He withheld evidence in a murder trial because he just didn’t consider it valid.
He ignored his kids, especially Deb when they needed him.
He’s having an affair with his CI, which is not only bad because he’s a married man, but because he’s taking advantage of a huge power imbalance between the two of them.
And finally, when he singlehandedly lost a murder trial, he got drunk and almost shot a man. When he couldn’t do it himself, he let Dexter off the leash.
Harry is a bad person. And that’s kind of awesome. That’s the sort of villain origin story that I love to see. He is a more interesting character because of this. And Dexter is more understandable because of what we understand about the man who raised him.
What didn’t work
It took me a while to look over this episode of Dexter Original Sin and find something to complain about. And honestly, there’s one part of this season that’s been bothering me.
I don’t love that Harry is spending so much time with little Dexter. It just doesn’t make sense to me. At least, not with the story of the original show.
Especially in the first season, it’s clear that Dexter doesn’t remember anything before the death of his mother. That makes sense, as he was very very small. But this little Dexter feels like he would have been old enough to remember some of this.
But, you might say, he was traumatized. He watched his mother be brutally slaughtered and was left for days in a shipping crate with his mother’s body. And yeah, it does make sense that he would forget a lot.
But would he never have the slightest inkling that he was now being raised by the man who suddenly showed up in his life, babysat him, and tucked him lovingly into bed?
Overall, this was a great episode. It was funny, touching, and moved along several storylines. I’m excited to see what comes next.
(4 / 5)
Holy crow, folks! Buckle up, because we’re about to dive headfirst into the gloriously gooey world of “Street Trash” – the 2024 remake that’ll make you question your life choices and possibly your sanity. Trust me, this ain’t your grandma’s horror flick (unless your grandma’s into melting hobos and alien smurfs, in which case, I probably swiped right on that one and you’re out of milk.)
What’s the Deal with Street Trash?
Picture this: a bunch of homeless misfits discover a sinister plot to wipe out every street dweller in the city. Cue the chaos, the melting, and enough WTF moments to make your brain leak out of your ears. It’s like if “They Live” and Cheech’s “Born in East LA” had a love child, and that child was raised by a family of radioactive dumpsters.
Yes, even the damn credits are worth watching. Marvel, eat your heart out. – Jim Phoenix, HauntedMTL
From the Twisted Mind Behind Fried Barry
Remember “Fried Barry”? That mind-bending trip from 2020 that left you questioning reality? Well, the same madman is back, and he’s cranked the insanity up to eleven. If you thought “Fried Barry” was a wild ride, “Street Trash” is like strapping yourself to a rocket made of hallucinogens and blasting off into a dimension of pure, unadulterated chaos.
![Fried Barry [Blu-ray]](https://hauntedmtl.com/wp-content/plugins/aawp/public/image.php?url=YUhSMGNITTZMeTl0TG0xbFpHbGhMV0Z0WVhwdmJpNWpiMjB2YVcxaFoyVnpMMGt2TlRGUlNrMXhTa2wyVGt3dVgxTk1NVFl3WHk1cWNHYz18MTczNjYxOTUwMw=)
- Fried Barry [Blu-ray]
- Product Type: PHYSICAL_MOVIE
- Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Last update on 2025-01-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Body Horror That’ll Make You Hurl (In a Good Way)
Let’s talk gore, baby! This flick kicks off with some of the most stomach-churning body horror I’ve seen in years. We’re talking face-melting, blood-spewing, organs-on-the-outside kind of nastiness. It’s so gross, it loops back around to beautiful. You’ll be disgusted, amazed, and possibly a little turned on (no judgment here, folks).
Not Just Gore – There’s Heart (and Other Organs) Too
But wait, there’s more! “Street Trash” isn’t just about turning people into human slushies. It’s got heart, humor, and even some genuinely touching moments. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll wonder why that blue alien demon thing is so damn adorable. It’s an emotional rollercoaster, if rollercoasters were made of meat and powered by existential dread.
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Szewczyk, Jo (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Last update on 2025-01-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Visuals: A Trippy 80s Fever Dream
Visually, this movie is like someone took the 1980s, stuffed it into a blender with a bunch of neon paint and psychedelic mushrooms, and hit “puree.” The colors pop, the effects are mind-blowing, and every frame is a work of demented art. It’s the kind of movie that makes you want to lick the screen (please don’t, though – trust me on this one).
Why You Need to Watch This Cinematic Acid Trip
It’s batshit crazy: In the best possible way. Every time you think it can’t get weirder, it does.
- The effects are insane: Practical effects that’ll make you go “How the fuck did they do that?”
- It’s got layers, man: Like an onion, but if that onion was sentient and trying to kill you.
- The blue alien thing: Seriously, it’s like if the Smurfs went on a bender and decided to star in a horror movie.
- The credits: Yes, even the damn credits are worth watching. Marvel, eat your heart out.
Final Verdict: Five Out of Five Motherfucking Fives
Look, I don’t throw around perfect scores like confetti at a serial killer’s birthday party. But “Street Trash” deserves every single one of those fives. It’s the best way to close out 2024’s cinematic offerings, a tour de force of weirdness that’ll stick with you long after the credits roll (which, again, you need to watch).
(5 / 5)
So, do yourself a favor: grab some popcorn (and maybe a barf bag), turn off your brain, and let “Street Trash” melt your face off. It’s a ride you won’t forget – no matter how hard you might try.
Remember, kids: Stay in school, don’t do drugs, and for the love of all that’s holy, watch “Street Trash.” Your eyeballs will thank you (right before they try to escape your skull).
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