A solid slasher, if a little too short and under-complicated
This is a pleasant surprise (especially amongst free horror movies on Hulu, where expectations are usually best kept verrrrrry low), and that rare film that actually not only doesn't overstay its welcome, but should have been a bit longer. The denouement feels a little hasty, particularly since the film has just introduced an interesting idea (regarding the long-term fate of victims) that it doesn't really bother capitalizing on. They could have easily thrown in an additional twist or false ending or two in order to nudge the running time past a very slim 75 minutes that feel like they wrap up a little prematurely.That said, the performances are decent (aside from the wooden little boy), the characters predictably two-dimensional but enjoyable enough (at least they're not the usual slasher movie examples of "Look ma, I'm a total idiot! Watch me take my clothes off for no reason, then go wandering into the darkest possible place despite all warnings just becau--ARRGHHH!!!"), the pacing good. The concept is similar to "Demons," and while this isn't as memorable, it's energetic and well-crafted. If gore is your main criteria in evaluating a slasher, you'll probably think there isn't quite enough of it here.
I'm surprised the director hasn't made any features since, as he did a very decent job here on a low budget. Trust me, you have seen much worse. "Midnight Movie" isn't particularly original, in content or style, but with movies of this type, solid competence is nothing to sneeze at.
score 6/10
ofumalow 16 January 2016
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw3396715/35254
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