‘Curse of Crom: The Legend of Halloween’ Review
Stars: Chelsea Jurkiewicz, Cory C. Dangerfield, Tanner Gillman, Halem Medina, Ariana Bagley, Monica Moore Smith | Written by Rob York, Scott Baird, R.H. Grimly | Directed by Rob York
Based on a story by R.H. Grimly, co-writer/director Rob York opens his feature with the image of an autumnal neighbourhood. Amidst the everyday settings, high-school student Mary (Chelsea Jurkiewicz) works hard to earn money by making deliveries. Her night ends with a strange encounter involving her grouchy neighbour, Mr. Murphy (Cory C. Dangerfield), as he instructs that his Chinese food delivery is left on the doorstep with the containers open.
Tensions have risen at home between the student and her father, resulting in him declining to help pay for Mary’s college tuition. This leaves her to sacrifice any spare time in order to pay for her education, with her absence noticed by her best friend, Harvey (Tanner Gillman). The rising financial pressures and minuscule pay leaves Mary to rage at Mr. Murphy, as the frequent customer refuses to leave a tip. This encounter leaves his jack-o’-lantern knocked over, which unknowingly unleashes an ancient Irish entity called Crom to wreak havoc.
As her teenage friends each have their own spooky encounter, Mary must unite them to help stop the demon’s destruction by defeating it before Halloween ends. Considering how many of these encounters occur during night-time in the teen’s houses, one wonders about the lack of on-screen parents. What’s effective is this charming friendship group which includes the big-hearted Harvey, who repeatedly eats weird peanut butter sandwiches, and the lovable lunk, Steve (Halem Medina).
Plaguing Mary is her difficult relationship with her father, as even attempts to mend fences result in rising tensions. Matters are shaken when, during a quest to uncover information about Crom, hidden family truths are unearthed which leads to greater understandings between the characters. The effective human relationships are an interesting contrast to the horror-comedy elements, as the pedestrian scares and lacklustre gags fall short. Credit where it’s due, the well-crafted practical effects and a running gag involving exhuming a dead cat work well.
It all adds up to a film which feels inspired by R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps, while being a good introduction to horror and an enjoyable piece of family viewing.
