'The Mortuary Collection (2019)' is, essentially, an anthology of short horror films that each focus on a different sort of 'poetic justice'. Though, at times, it can often feel like the framing story exists only to house these disconnected experiences, it ultimately ties itself into at least one of the shorts in a satisfying and unexpected way. The thing is often a little clunky, don't get me wrong, but it tells a complete narrative when viewed as a whole. The four shorts generally improve as the piece progresses, with the first being the simplest (and, by extension, worst) and the last being the most ambitious. The final short is far and away the best thing about the entire affair, so it's a bit of a shame that I can't give this film full credit for it. That's because it is comprised entirely, I believe, of one of director Ryan Spindell's previous outings. Still, it's undeniable that the story is suspenseful, subversive and surprising; its twist is genuinely unexpected and proves that the filmmakers are keenly aware of audience expectation. It also ties into the framing narrative very closely, making the final third of the movie its most cohesive and successful. Although the actual ending may be a little silly, it's generally entertaining in a pulpy sort of way and unveils yet another layer to the overall experience. For a while, the flick is a bit too slow-moving for its own good. It also seems to lack a distinct drive for quite some time. The first two short stories aren't all that great, to be honest. I mean, they're fine for what they are but they don't exactly inspire the imagination. The third is much better and, as I've mentioned, the fourth is straight-up fantastic (though not technically created for this). The whole thing has an almost tongue-in-cheek vibe, too, which helps smooth over its rough edges. Even though it gets properly dark and features some fairly full-on gore, it's generally fun horror as opposed to terrifying horror. That's okay, though; not every horror film has to scare you to the bone. In the end, this is an uneven yet enjoyable anthology that knows what it is and seems to relish it. 6/10.
