THE MANNEQUIN is a subtle slasher that relies more on our imagination than full on gore, at first. Do not think this means it isn’t creepy or intense. There are some blanket clutching moments for sure. Though set in modern times it has a throwback feel that many horror fans will appreciate.

Available on Digital, VOD, Blu-Ray and DVD

Synopsis: Liana Rojas, a creatively starved stylist assistant, discovers that the historical downtown Los Angeles factory building where her fashion designer sister mysteriously died is haunted by a serial killer posing as a headshot photographer for film studios who brutally murdered and dismembered his victims half a century earlier. | 1h 25m | Unrated but with adult content, language, and bloody imagery

There was nothing more fun in the 1980s than going to the video store to rent those B horror flicks that titillated our teenaged brains. This had that same feel but with more sophisticated filming and imagery. If you like visceral jump scares this has those too. And they are nightmarish.

Those who want wall to wall blood and guts it is not this one, at first. There are a lot of dialogue moments and chit chat. Around the halfway mark this one ramps up nicely and turns into the horror film we hoped for. One scene I literally yelled out, “Oh hell no!”. What makes it so spine chilling is the way the characters are attacked and maimed. A knife slice to the leg often is more intense than a fill on dismemberment.

Like all films of this ilk we are not here for the acting and are willing to embrace the over the top delivery or lack of character evolution. We just want to see what crazy thing will happen next. Also the script is not there to later quote or dissect but to get us to the next moment.

Along with the retro feel there are all the predictable and anticipated horror tropes. But they are still used nicely here. Some even with humorous effect. The final act is everything you could hope for and makes up for anything missing early on.

If you missed this during the Halloween season it is not too late to get on board. Mannequins are unsettling at any time and when you add in some bloody ghosts it is a no brainer; you have to watch.

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Matt Mungle

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