Cemetery Stories is a 2019 indie horror film directed by Chris Roe, starring Traci Lords, Bruce Davison, and Michael Broderick. The movie tells three different stories, all taking place in a cemetery, intertwined with each other. The first story revolves around an elderly couple, played by Traci Lords and Michael Broderick, who are on a picnic at the cemetery. Their sentimental conversation turns into a supernatural experience when they witness an apparition of a young girl who died over a century ago. The couple tries to decipher the message that the girl presents to them and solve the mystery of her death. As the story progresses, they uncover a tragic incident that took place in the cemetery, involving the girl and her mother, leading to a haunting and emotional climax.
The second story takes us back to the 1850s, where we meet a man named Jacob, played by Bruce Davison. Jacob is a grave robber, who steals corpses from the cemetery for medical research purposes. As he digs up a fresh body, he discovers a mysterious pendant around the corpse's neck. Little does he know that this pendant has a dark history and that possessing it would cause his downfall. Jacob's greed takes over, leading him to make immoral decisions, eventually leading to his downfall and a horrifying end.
The third story brings us back to the present day, where a group of teenagers enters the cemetery in search of a thrill. They end up finding more than they bargained for as they discover a mysterious mausoleum. The teenagers decide to break in, and they find themselves trapped inside, fighting for their lives against the spirits of the dead. As they try to make their way out, they realize that the mausoleum has a dark history, and they are part of something much more significant than a simple ghost story.
Cemetery Stories combines horror, suspense, and emotional storytelling to create a unique anthology film. The three different stories blend well together, creating a cohesive narrative bound by the setting of a cemetery. The performances of the actors are outstanding, with Traci Lords delivering a performance that is both touching and profound. Bruce Davison's portrayal of the grave robber is persuasive, making the audience understand the character's motivations, despite their actions being morally ambiguous. The teenager's performances also stand out, making the audience care about the characters who are facing their fears in a life-threatening situation.
The directors' use of the cemetery as a setting adds to the overall atmosphere of the film. The location provides an eerie backdrop for the different stories, with shots of headstones, grave markers, and tombs highlighting the beauty of the burial ground while adding to the suspense of the stories. The lighting and sound design are also outstanding, adding to the overall sense of unease felt throughout the film.
One of the greatest strengths of Cemetery Stories is how it manages to create genuine emotion from the horror genre. The three stories are not just about jump scares and gore. Instead, they're about people facing their fears, making difficult decisions, and ultimately learning lessons that they carry with them. The themes of death, grief, and the afterlife are explored through the different characters, making Cemetery Stories much more than just a simple horror movie.
In conclusion, Cemetery Stories is a beautifully crafted anthology horror movie that delivers on both scares and emotion. The performances of the actors, the dark and eerie setting of the cemetery, and the seamless way that the three stories interconnect make it a must-watch for any horror fan. Roe has directed a film that is not just about horror, but about the human experience, making it a fantastic addition to the genre.
Cemetery Stories is a 2022 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes.
