Title: Midnight Macabre Year: 2017 Starring: Robert Angelo, Faith Clevenger, Joya Dawson, Cortney Palm Director: Joshua Wesley Genre: Horror Runtime: 83 minutes MIDNIGHT MACABRE is an independent horror movie released in 2017. Directed by Joshua Wesley, the movie features a talented cast, including Robert Angelo, Faith Clevenger, Joya Dawson, and Cortney Palm.
The plot revolves around a small town, beset by a series of gruesome murders. When the killer's patterns begin to repeat, a group of locals decide to investigate, only to discover that the killer isn't what they expect.
The movie opens with a young woman, Teresa (Faith Clevenger), who has recently moved to a new town to live with her grandfather. When she witnesses a murder firsthand, she's convinced that she's found the killer. However, when she tries to report what she's seen to the local sheriff (Robert Angelo), she's met with skepticism and confusion.
As the body count rises, a group of amateur detectives, including Teresa and her grandpa, take matters into their own hands, determined to uncover the identity of the killer. But as they delve deeper into the case, they realize that the killer's MO doesn't quite match up with their initial assumptions. They soon find themselves in a race against time as they try to stop the murderer before the town succumbs to his wrath.
One of the most striking things about MIDNIGHT MACABRE is its atmosphere. The movie is shot almost entirely at night, which adds an eerie, foreboding quality to the proceedings. The cinematography is excellent throughout, and there are several moments where the lighting and camera work really help to ratchet up the tension and create some impressive scares.
The performances in MIDNIGHT MACABRE are also worthy of praise. Faith Clevenger does a fine job as the plucky heroine, while Robert Angelo plays wonderfully against type as the gruff, no-nonsense sheriff who nevertheless takes the murders seriously. Joya Dawson also shines as a small-town psychic who becomes embroiled in the investigation. It's worth noting, however, that the performances from some of the more minor characters are a little shaky at times, with some of the supporting actors struggling to sell their lines convincingly.
In terms of the story, MIDNIGHT MACABRE does a decent job of keeping things interesting throughout. The main mystery is engaging enough, and there are a few genuinely surprising twists along the way. That being said, the script does fall into some familiar horror cliches on occasion, with a few too many jump scares and a tendency to lean into exposition-heavy dialogue at times.
One area where the movie does excel is in its gore effects. The murders in MIDNIGHT MACABRE are undeniably graphic, and the film makes no effort to shy away from the blood and guts. This will undoubtedly please horror fans who are looking for something a little more visceral.
Overall, MIDNIGHT MACABRE is a solid horror movie, albeit one that isn't reinventing the wheel. The impressive performances, strong atmosphere, and gruesome gore effects help to elevate the slightly cliched storyline. While it may not be a classic of the genre, audiences looking for a decent late-night scare could do a lot worse than MIDNIGHT MACABRE.
In conclusion, if you're a fan of indie horror flicks, MIDNIGHT MACABRE is well worth a look. It may not be perfect, but it's an impressive effort from all involved, and there are certainly worse ways to spend 83 minutes of your time.
