Ahhh anthology films, what is it about you that makes me dislike you so? I should say there are a couple anthology film that are great, but on the whole I just never click with them, and All the Creatures Were Stirring (2018) is no different. The returning aspect of the film is an awkward first date at an amateur theatre production of all the films being shown, and as a set-piece its fine. Not much else to say. As for the rest of the film, well as is it as an anthology you’re getting lots of mini reviews, lucky you!
The Stockings Were Hung
An office gift exchange turns deadly and becomes a game of paranoia between the work colleagues. It works okay and is one of the stronger of the stories, so having it be the opener helps. Not quite The Hing (1982) levels of paranoid characters but its okay.
Dash Away All
Feels quite empty and lacks a lot in terms of creepiness or horror. It is also just set in a car park so visually isn’t exactly visually appealing. If you’re going to have a demon focused story you best show me the damn demon.
All Through the House/Elf TV
This is basically A Christmas Carol and so it ended up being my favourite of the stories. Again, it isn’t anything special and I would rather just watch a full version of A Christmas Carol but it does the job fine and adds horror aspects in effectively enough for the short time it has.
Arose Such a Clatter
Genuinely don’t remember this one much at all. He hits a deer, then… Rubbish.
In a Twinkling
Visually this is probably the best one, and I think if there had been more of a focus on this one the general premise could have really worked in longer form. As it is it is an interesting idea that leaves you wanting.
To All a Good Night
The conclusion of our central awkward date. It suggests it is going to go somewhere but instead ends up being very anti-climatic and I was happy for the film to end.
As you can see, I am not a huge fan of this film. It isn’t offensively terrible or anything like that, but it is just mostly very dull. I wouldn’t both giving it a go.
Comments