As a horror fan with a soft spot for the quirky and the absurd, I must say that Hulu’s “Carved” is a delightful, gore-filled treat! It’s like someone took all the best bits from those cheesy 80s slasher flicks, added a dash of humor, and served it up with a pumpkin-headed killer.
The outrageous and extremely gory horror comedy titled “Carved” on Hulu might make you reconsider your desire for pumpkin pie. This is not just due to the gruesome killings, but mainly because the murderer in this Halloween-themed storyline is none other than a sentient giant pumpkin! Once the genuine slaughters start around the 20-minute mark, the film maintains its intensity. The bloodbath that follows involves decapitations, scalping, and stabbings at the hands of this peculiar murderer whose vine-like tendrils stretch far and wide. To make matters even more bizarre, this pumpkin is able to walk on its own! Essentially, this is a pumpkin-led carnage like no other.
Under the guidance of director Justin Harding (of “The Haunted Museum” fame), the movie “Carved” is a spinoff from the same-titled short film, which Harding also penned and directed for Hulu’s Huluween Film Fest shorts program. Joining forces with screenwriter Cheryl Meyer, this feature was crafted by WorthenBrooks. The talented cast, adept at delivering the required humor, includes Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Corey Fogelmanis, Wyatt Lindner, Carla Jimenez, Sasha Mason, Jonah Lees, DJ Qualls, Marc-Sully Saint-Fleur, Elvis Nolasco, Matty Cardarople, Jackson Kelly, and Chris Elliott.
In this scenario, we encounter a teenage playwright named Lee who is mourning her heartbreak, accompanied by her younger sibling Lindner. The story unfolds as they find themselves in an unusual predicament alongside a diverse band of survivors. This unlikely group becomes trapped within a historical reenactment village on Halloween night. They are compelled to unite against a formidable threat: a pumpkin, endowed with consciousness and driven by vengeance, that poses a terrifying danger to them.
A Pissed-Off Pumpkin Is Out for Vengeance
These movies instantly bring to mind nostalgia for the cheesy, budget-restricted horror flicks of the 1980s, such as Slumber Party Massacre, Children of the Corn, The Children, Motel Hell, and The Toxic Avenger. The plots were formulaic, with a focus on gory killings and bloodshed. There was an element of enjoyment in these films, as audiences hadn’t yet grown accustomed to the graphic violence that would later become commonplace in horror movies.
In the beginning of the movie Carved, there’s a short introduction focusing on a journalist named Elvis Nolasco (known for his role in American Crime). This character is overly serious as he investigates the gruesome scene in a barn set up at a holiday-themed village. However, his recording of the events is interrupted when he starts accidentally tripping over dead bodies – a common horror movie cliché. Despite this predictable element, the filmmakers effectively use Nolasco’s exaggerated acting style and the unique atmosphere they create to make it engaging.
The movie goes back to “that very day,” where key characters are gearing up for a Halloween play connected to the town’s past, with our journalist there asking questions about a past chemical spill incident that still stirs controversy in the town. It seems this event might explain why the group encounters a strange pumpkin later on, but who knows? The intrigue lies in seeing Jackson Kelly (known from Chucky and Lucky Hank) attempt to outsmart that mysterious pumpkin as he prepares to carve into it.
The Story Avoids an Excess of Sentimentality
In a less heavy-handed subplot, one actress (Lee) experiences distress when she discovers her partner (DJ Qualls) is departing for school, forcing her to manage her younger brother alone. Luckily, this emotional turmoil is short-lived as the story quickly shifts focus to their shared predicament: outwitting a particularly cunning pumpkin.
The stage is filled with clever banter. As the action unfolds before the violence commences, one character remarks, “It’s as if we’re watching a renaissance version of Baywatch.” When someone points out that pumpkins aren’t vegetables but actually fruits, it becomes quite clear. After all, no vegetable known to us could cause such chaos. Perhaps an angry cornstalk might come close.
Undeniably, these performers are dealing with quite a challenging scenario, yet they skillfully breathe life into their characters and transform the seemingly bizarre predicament into an engaging spectacle to follow. It’s a remarkable cast altogether, and it’s delightful to witness seasoned actors such as Ted Ferguson and Chris Elliott contributing to the humor in this production.
There’s Room for a Patch of Sequels
In terms of special effects, they’re simple yet sufficient. There are occasional points-of-view shots from the pumpkin, which adds a nice touch. The filmmaker chooses not to include many close-ups of the monster, making our rare glimpses of the main body seem more enigmatic. The tentacles (and their bubbling sounds) remind one of any _Alien_ or monster movie, but they manage to be impactful as well. Most of the film is set at night, which sometimes makes it appear overly darkly lit.
In this film, you’ll encounter multiple surprising developments as to why a vengeful pumpkin monster appears. Later on, you’ll understand its motives. One of the film’s memorable lines is, “Don’t kill me, I’ll do whatever you want.” However, it doesn’t go down well. It’s unexpected how much fun a killer sentient pumpkin horror-comedy can be, but here we are. Carved is witty, smart, and incredibly entertaining. With pumpkins having numerous seeds, anticipate another one growing. Carved is now available for streaming on Hulu. Click the link below to watch:
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2024-10-22 02:33