Review: The Mortuary Collection

Horror anthologies can be hit and miss, especially when it comes to feature films. Sure, there's good ones like Creepshow... but there's also Creepshow 2, to name one of many subpar entries in this subgenre.

The key to a good anthology is to have an engaging wrap-around story that ties everything together. And, if possible, have it connect to some of the stories being told. And if those stories can in some way connect to each other, even better.

Tonally, everything should tie together as well, even if the tales jump from straight-up horror to comedy, and get pretty "out there" at times.

Ryan Spindell's The Mortuary Collection checks off every of the above boxes, telling a number of interconnected tales of terror that take place in the fictional town of Raven's End. At the centre of these stories are mortician Montgomery Dark (played by veteran character actor Clancy Brown) and his new employee, Sam, portrayed by the captivating Caitlin Custer. Sam and Dark spin stories related to the mortuary's... ummm... guests, with everything coming together in a well thought out conclusion.

In fact, that's the best way to describe The Mortuary Collection: well thought out. Spindell wrote a great script, crafting five clever horror stories that roll into one gruesome, and fun, package. As director, he gives the film a gloomy atmosphere that enhances the tales.

As with any anthology, some of the stories work better than the others, but there isn't a dud in the bunch. And they have a nice moral to them, keeping in the best tradition of the classic EC comics. My favourite is The Babysitter Murders and, once you've seen it, you'll understand why.

The Mortuary Collection is perfect spooky season viewing, and I highly recommend it for horror buffs. It's a Good.

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