adam-1894

After a bloody opening, one would expect the rest of the movie to follow the typical shenanigans of a living dead creature fest; however this is not the case. The Returned plays out more like a drama that displays the desperation of Kate and Alex as the supply of a protein (needed to be injected once a day) that keeps one from returning to the living dead becomes scarce. Alex is one of "The Returned' – the label for those who are lucky enough to get the solution within four hours of being infected, and his wife Kate is a doctor who treats the survivors.

Overall the movie was very captivating with a top notch cast and a realistic premise of how the response to a shortage of such a protein would be carried out in our society today. The visuals were exquisite, including a few gory scenes. My only criticisms are the ending (which I won't mention specifics here) that seems unnecessary and a moment where a Security Guard is drinking coffee out of an empty cut. Despite these setbacks, it's worth a watch! 8/10

In this horror anthology, Sarah is babysitting two children on Halloween night. While sorting through their candy, a VHS tape falls out. After a democratic vote they decide to watch the film, thus the three tales begin.

The first story is about a college student who is abducted by an evil clown while waiting for the train. She wakes up with a chained loosely wrapped around her neck amongst two other victims. When she suggests they try to escape by going down the tunnel, the other two plead for her to stay? Will she make it out alive? At this point the film is shut off and the babysitter puts the kids to sleep. She then resumes watching it. The second story is about a woman who is terrorized in her new home while unpacking by visitors from another world.

The third story is about a lone traveler being pursued by a clown on Halloween Night. No matter how far she drives, the clown always seems to catch up. After the third film is complete the babysitters own story concludes in a usual bloody fashion.

Honestly, I thought this movie was quite terrible. Don't get me wrong, I love watching horror anthologies, even low budget ones! However this movie took too many ideas from other movies. For example many of the scenes revolving the clown seem to have been taken right out of the movie "IT." The third tale is obviously a remake of the third story in Creepshow 2. Sure a clown is the antagonist instead of a hit and run victim. The story still plays out the same. The VHS tape mantra is also completely similar to V/H/S.

Any horror movie with a running length of under eighty minutes is bound to be low budget; therefore, questionable. Knowing this simple fact, I was able to be engaged in this rather slow paced horror film, despite the obvious plot holes and loose ends...

Pros: The main actress did a good job at the leading role. I didn't really like the main character, but ended up feeling sympathy for her in the end. The gore was subtle but still made you feel uneasy. Also the camera work portrayed the feeling of drunkenness well.

Cons: The plot definitely needed some work. The whole idea of being drugged (which is clearly implied) and then having unprotected sex with such horrific consequences is terrifying, but sadly an opportunity missed. Watch at your own risk!