Carved Is The Best And Worst Halloween Movie In Years

Carved Is The Best And Worst Halloween Movie In Years

As a die-hard horror enthusiast who grew up on classics like Halloween and the Scream franchise, I can confidently say that Carved is a fresh, fun, and entertaining addition to the Halloween movie scene. With its unique killer pumpkin villain and old-school film techniques, it harkens back to the glory days of ’90s horror. The characters are well-developed, particularly Kira, our aspiring playwright final girl, who gives off strong Nancy Thompson vibes. I’m not one to shy away from a good slasher flick, but Carved stands out with its charmingly cheesy and spooky atmosphere.


Every October, it’s like Halloween comes early for me with Huluween, a thrilling assortment of movies and shows tailored for horror enthusiasts. From the chilling new series by Ryan Murphy, Grotesquerie, to the anticipated season 4 of American Horror Stories, I can’t get enough. I still love revisiting classic horror flicks such as Halloween and the entire Scream franchise, but what excites me most is discovering fresh releases on streaming platforms, like the latest addition to Hulu/Disney+ that’s part of this month-long scary celebration.

Following my binge-watch of the last five episodes of “American Horror Stories”, I delved further into horror with a fresh Halloween-themed movie featuring captivating characters and an exceptionally original antagonist. Given its numerous compelling aspects, I strongly advocate that this film is a must-see for any dedicated fan of the genre.

Why I Think Carved Is A Fun, Unique, And Entertaining Horror Movie About Halloween

Carved Is The Best And Worst Halloween Movie In Years

I believe the film “Carved“, set in the 1990s and featuring a terrifying killer pumpkin tormenting workers at a pioneer village, is an excellent choice for a delightfully cheesy and entertaining Halloween movie. For one, the antagonist stands out. While there are numerous iconic killers in slasher films, it’s uncommon to encounter a pumpkin that is genuinely frightening. Yes, Pumpkinhead is well-known as a horror villain, but the murderer in “Carved” is an actual gourd with grotesque vines sprouting from its eyes and mouth, which it uses to slay its victims. In a season overflowing with scary movies, I appreciate the novelty of something unique. The movie lacks deep themes and has a fair share of corniness, but that’s what makes it a relaxing and enjoyable watch.

The distinctive aspect of the film Carved lies in its environment. It adds an extra layer of suspense as the story wouldn’t have been as effective if it were set somewhere that offered easy escapes for the characters. Given that they conceal themselves from the menacing pumpkin after performing a play for patrons of the pioneer village, they find themselves in a genuinely challenging predicament. It is common for horror movies to take place on Halloween, from the original starring Jamie Lee Curtis to Terrifier and its equally chilling sequel, Terrifier 2. However, Carved stands out due to its unique backdrop of a pioneer village, which not only evokes nostalgia but also isolates the main characters from external help.

Carved: Directed byJustin Harding
Co-Written byJustin Harding and Cheryl Meyer
Based onshort film called Carved by Justin Harding
StarringPeyton Elizabeth Lee, Corey Fogelmanis, DJ Qualls, Wyatt Lindner, Jonah Lees, Elvis Nolasco, Carla Jimenez
Release DateOctober 21st, 2024
Runtime1 hour 35 minutes

I, too, appreciate the characters in “Carved,” especially Kira (Peyton Elizabeth Lee), a budding playwright who dreams of escaping her small town with her aspiring actor boyfriend Cody (Corey Fogelmanis). Their relationship is strained before the horror unfolds when Cody reveals he’s been cast in a new project and will be leaving in three weeks. This underlying conflict adds depth to their characters, making the suspenseful scenes even more thrilling. Kira embodies the spirit of final girls like Nancy Thompson (Heather Langenkamp) from “A Nightmare on Elm Street” and Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) from the “Scream” series.

All things considered, I find “Carved” appealing because it’s situated in the ’90s, a decade that was particularly entertaining for horror movies. Justin Harding, one of the writers and directors of “Carved”, shared with ABC 7 News his preference for practical effects in the film, similar to those seen in classics like “Aliens”, “Gremlins”, and “Tremors”. Harding explained:

The plan was to create a modern tribute to ’90s monster movies by employing vintage ’90s filmmaking methods. This would involve using puppetry and a technique similar to backlighting for some scenes, a more traditional approach.

What Other Horror Movies And TV Shows Are Streaming As Part Of Huluween?

Carved Is The Best And Worst Halloween Movie In Years

For horror enthusiasts, there are several other spine-tingling movies and series to explore on Huluween. One such chilling option that was released on Hulu/Disney+ on October 11th, 2024 is Mr. Crocket. Similar to the show Carved, Mr. Crocket is set in 1993 and revolves around a sinister children’s TV host named Mr. Crocket. He departs from the small screen and begins kidnapping innocent kids instead.

In the fourth season of American Horror Stories, we find more chilling tales that are part of Huluween. This time, there are five unique episodes: “Backrooms,” “The Nightmare Under The Bed,” “Leprechaun’s Terror,” “Clones,” and “X.” Each episode delves into the blurred lines between nightmares and reality, offering a fresh take on horror.

For those who enjoy a darker side to their comedy, fans of Family Guy can check out the Halloween Special that debuted on Hulu/Disney+ on October 14th, 2024. This special episode maintains the signature wit and humor that Family Guy is known for.

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2024-10-23 23:03