Treasure Chest of Horrors is a low-budget horror anthology movie that includes four different sections, each with its own creepy storyline. Directed by M. Kelley, it was released in 2012. The movie revolves around a cursed treasure chest that brings misfortune to anyone who comes in contact with it. A group of four young men, including David (Paymon Seyedi), stumbles upon the chest, and their lives change drastically. They open the chest and find four different objects that hold terrible secrets.
The first section titled "Mutant Killer Zombies from the Hood!" is a comedy-horror story about a group of friends who accidentally turn the dead citizens of their neighborhood into zombies after smoking a strange, new drug. The zombie epidemic spreads quickly, and the friends, along with their neighbors, must fight for their survival against the undead.
The second section, titled "The Killer Scarecrow," is a story about a farmer, Jethro (Lloyd Kaufman), who creates a scarecrow to scare off crows from his farm. However, Jethro's creation has a life of its own and starts killing anyone who comes near the farm. The scarecrow gets more and more violent as it grows in power, and it becomes unstoppable.
The third section, titled "The Hunt," is a slasher story about a maniac hunter who tricks random people into joining his hunt in the woods for "sport." Once they arrive at the hunting ground, the hunter reveals his true plans to the unsuspecting victims, and he begins hunting them. It's a race against time as the victims attempt to escape the hunter's traps and survive the game of cat and mouse.
The fourth and final section, titled "Fist of Fury," is a martial arts horror story about a woman, Sophie, who is lured into a trap by a mysterious stranger. She is forced to fight and kill other martial artists in a tournament while being watched by a sadistic crowd of horror fans. The tournament is not what it seems, and Sophie must fight her way out of the tournament and survive.
Throughout each story, we see the cursed treasure chest and how it interacts with the characters, ultimately leading them to their downfall. The chest serves as the connecting thread throughout each story, and it's a constant reminder that there's no escaping the evil curse.
The cinematography is decent for a low-budget movie, and the directors did a good job of creating unique and captivating storylines. The actors' performances are mixed, with some being over-the-top and cheesy, while others are more believable and engaging.
The movie pays homage to classic horror films in many ways, from the practical effects to the inclusion of infamous horror personality Lloyd Kaufman, who also serves as an executive producer. The film also includes the use of several practical effects, such as prosthetics and makeup, which adds to the overall enjoyment.
One of the filmâs drawbacks is that some of the stories feel disconnected and underdeveloped. The audience may not be able to connect with the characters or fully understand their motives, leading to less empathy towards them.
Overall, Treasure Chest of Horrors is an entertaining horror anthology that blends humor, action, and gore to create a unique cinematic experience. It may not be for everyone, but if you're a fan of low-budget horror movies, this one will be right up your alley.
Treasure Chest of Horrors is a 2022 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 12 minutes.
It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 2.6.
