Truly, haunted mansions are for teenagers of all ages, from 25 to 40. 1986's Spookies pits its relatively young adults against zombies, warlocks, aliens, and, I think, gargoyles. And a few guys with dabs of red paint on their faces meant to signify they're undead of some kind. This may not be the most auspicious horror film with which to begin October. But begun it has! We can only go up from here.
The kids are driven by zombies into the old house, the interiors of which look clean enough to be a model home.
Due to legal issues surrounding the film this was originally intended to be, footage of "teenagers" splitting up and getting killed in the mansion is intercut with scenes from a new production about a warlock trying to resurrect his pretty wife.
Some dialogue about a mysterious game loosely ties the two productions together. But a few things remain constant--bad acting, bad cinematography, cheesy music, and a general air of incompetence. But in the "teenager" plot, some of the makeup effects are oddly good.
Other effects are really bad, like the little hand puppet gargoyles.
Spookies is available on Shudder.
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