Happy Hell Night (not to be confused with the Linda Blair starring Hell Night from 1982), is a late period entry into the slasher genre. Mixing in supernatural elements to it’s story, a la A Nightmare on Elm Street, does Happy Hell Night escape the fate of so many other low budget slasher films? Read on, dear Fiends, to find out…
Happy Hell Night Synopsis
Happy Hell Night concerns the actions of demon possessed psychopathic priest Zachary Malius, who in 1963 murdered seven members of the Phi Delta Kappa Fraternity inside Winfield Mausoleum. After his capture, Malius is then placed in the local State Asylum. Twenty five years later, a hazing prank goes wrong and sees Zachary freed from his cell. He proceeds to head back to Winfield College to continue his murderous rampage.
The film reveals it’s backstory through some exposition and some flashback scenes (which feature a young Sam Rockwell). The killer has a catchphrase: he utters the word “No…” before describing what action his victim was just undertaking.
The film has a wonderfully creepy, gothic atmosphere at times. This is most noticeable during the scenes set in the asylum. Seeing Malius covered in cobwebs is unnerving, and helps create the films unique mood. The film has a supernatural element, which moves it into a small subgenre. This helps to differentiate this title from the glut of others flooding the video store shelves in the early 1990s.
Analysis
Happy Hell Night is a late entry into the slasher boom, having been released in 1992. As such, it wallowed in near obscurity as a direct to video movie. This does the film somewhat of a disservice in my mind. The film features some decent cinematography. This helps to create a truly creepy vibe at times. The acting is above par for the genre, although nothing special. The kills are suitably gory, with plenty to satisfy the gore hounds out there. And the killer? Well, he is a creepy as fuck creation who possibly deserved another outing.
The Disc
Released on Blu Ray by 88 Films, the disc contains the following extras:
- High Definition Transfer from the Original Negative
- Uncompressed LPCM Audio
- Optional English Subtitles
- AUDIO COMMENTARY by Genre Experts Nathaniel Thompson and Tim Greer from Mondo-Digital.com
- THE KAPPA SIG GIRL – An Interview with Jorja Fox
- MURDER MUSIC – An Interview with Composer Nenad Bach.
- Trailer
- Reversible sleeve with alternative UK Frat Fright VHS cover
Buy Happy Hell Night: https://88-films.myshopify.com/products/happy-hell-night-slasher-classics-collection-28
Gallery: (click to enlarge)
About the Author
