by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Did you know that Sung Kang, Han from Fast & Furious, was making his directorial debut? That is an interesting prospect. You might expect the film to be some exciting thriller ride because of what Kang has done in the past in his acting career. Surprise! His film, Shaky Shivers, is a silly horror-comedy starring a pair of teenage girls, Lucy (Brooke Markham) and Karen (VyVy Nguyen), who are BFFs. This is an exciting and fresh prospect coming to theaters for a special event, just in time for the start of the Halloween season.
Does Kang deliver on this fun little fun concept? The film certainly sells hard on the horror-COMEDY of it all. There are some creepy moments and little subtle scares. It is not quite going to deliver shocking scares like you want from a straightforward horror film. There are some darker moments towards the end, but they are some of the least effective moments (especially when the lone CGI effects in the film take you out of the film). The comedy, though? It is a lot of fun! The visual of a teenage girl skipping and taunting a zombie in hot (but slow) pursuit is quite funny, and it captures the whole tone of the film.
Does Shaky Shivers deliver on this ode and send up classic horror? Kang’s commitment to practical effects and makeup makes the whole experience feel both low-budget and campy (in a fun way). These effects evoke the impressive creations of 1980s horror films, and do it respectfully. Its narrative also draws upon many different creatures and entities from horror films of the past. The film has fun with them, while also respecting what makes them tenets of horror past. This is a small scale and earnest love letter for all creature feature fans out there.
There is plenty of fun trapping around the film, but what about our story? This film does not quite have the strongest narrative, as it is really an excuse to show fun monsters and ghouls. But there is an emotional core, and the film is a journey for our two best friends to grow as people. There are certainly devices to lean into those horror trappings, like a makeshift binder full of spells that is perfect for any ghoulish occasion. Is it convenient? Sure! Is it silly and fun in a way it bolsters the satire? Also yes. The story gets a bit convoluted, especially as a bunch of different aspects come crashing together in the climax, but there is just too much fun to be had to discredit the film.
What is the heart of the film? Lucy and Karen. They go on a journey to the middle of nowhere due to a curse levied on one of them. But what ensues from there is a fun and genuine story of best friends and the lengths you go to protect them. This is a classic fairytale type story with a moral at the core, and it gives plenty of room for the audience to enjoy the genuine chemistry that Markham and Nguyen have with each other. They feel like real teenagers, and they are a fun pair for us to enjoy. Even though they do have a catty streak which honestly gets them in this situation in the first place, they are generally likable. Throw in the sweet and kind Bob (their boss at the ice cream parlor, portrayed perfectly by Herschel Sparber) and you have yourself a nice crew of characters to connect with on this bonkers journey.
Is Shaky Shivers destined to become a Halloween cult classic? It certainly has plenty going for it. The crazy and campy makeup and effects. An 80-minute runtime that is brisk and compact. A general silliness with more fun scares than deeply frightening ones. Kang shows some flair with bits of storytelling and a handle on its varied tones. This is quite a bit of fun to gather a group together and go out for its one-night-only theatrical experience.
Rating: Liked It
Shaky Shivers is currently playing in theaters
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