Trick 'R Treat

Trick 'r Treat is a delightfully modern take on the classic slasher films with a little of the blood and guts torture of today's horror flicks thrown in. Don't let this scare you, though. It's all in good fun. Written and directed by Michael Dougherty, Trick 'r Treat is based off of his short film, Season's Greetings.

The film opens in a small town in Ohio, where we witness the sometimes strange, sometimes gruesome Halloween festivities. A principal and his son reveal a darker side while enjoying the usual traditions. A young woman, considered the "runt of the litter," attempts to lose her “virginity" so she can finally be part of the pack. The neighborhood children plan a dark tribute to the town's scariest myth, taking a prank too far. A man sits alone, frightening would-be trick or treaters, and a couple returning from a party debate the merits of certain Halloween traditions. All of these stories are seamlessly tied together with fantastic attention to detail. One common element is a creepy trick or treater in a shabby scarecrow costume. “Sam the Scarecrow” always shows up wherever someone isn't following Halloween tradition. If I were you, I would make sure to have plenty of candy. You don't want to run out before Sam makes it to your house.

Trick 'r Treat is both a unique take on the horror movie and also an homage to the popular anthology films of the 1980's and the classic horror comics of the 1950's. Trick 'r Treat reminds us that, while we all covet the mountains of candy, we were still scared stiff by the ghost and monster stories that make Halloween so wonderful. So, what are you afraid of?

Rated R.

Book review by Heidi, Circulation Assistant at the Library Station.