Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.0

Halloween Horrors Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 7, 2023

A holiday celebration is cut short in 1993’s “Halloween Horrors,” with director Gary Whitson and his W.A.V.E. production company trying to bring some extra kink to the night of terror. There’s no monster mash here, just a custom video quickie from Whitson, who slaps together a loose study of a father dealing with the kidnapping of his two daughters, with the women sent into a basement to endure captivity as they wait for dad to cough up a hefty ransom payment. “Halloween Horrors” isn’t really much of anything, but as W.A.V.E. endeavors go, it offers brevity and some restraint when it comes to the inherent ickiness of the company’s business plan, supplying only mild kicks as the helmer oversees a fresh offering of bound women and their whimpering contest.

On Halloween, Bryant (Sal Longo) is fed up with his daughters and their squandering of inheritance money, refusing pleas from Regina (Claney McCauley) and Carla (Launa Kane) for a little extra cash to help get through the holiday season. Getting ready for a party in Carla’s home, the siblings are soon taken by a masked Kidnapper (G.W. Lawrence), who deposits the women in his basement torture chamber, subjecting the targets to a series of restraints. The Kidnapper demands a $500,000 ransom for the safe return of the sisters, putting Bryant in a panic, joined by his assistant, Jodie (Diana Lea), unprepared to come up with that kind of dollar amount in 24 hours, fearful the madman will murder his children and send him the slaughter on video.

With W.A.V.E., there’s rarely hope for a complete screen idea, but “Halloween Horrors” almost gets there, presenting the ways of the dastardly Kidnapper and his push to collect quick money from Bryant, who’s apparently a video store magnate. “Halloween Horrors” offers a plan to bring the women back alive, but Whitson lets viewers stew in the squirming for most of the movie, watching as Carla and Regina are chloroformed, tied-up with ropes and handcuffs, and forced to spend time locked in stocks or standing with a noose around their necks. This is where the W.A.V.E.-iness comes in, concentrating on amateur actresses writhing and whimpering, with an occasional exposed breast or upskirt shot meant to satisfy the intended audience for this fetish film.

Halloween Horrors Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation remains in line with typical shot-on-video releases. Frame information reaches about as far as possible, offering some appreciation for basement torture rooms and scantily clad hostages. Office spaces are more brightly lit, allowing for a slightly clearer look at decorative choices. Colors are aged but acceptable, including the plastic orange of Halloween pumpkins. Style choices carry some varied hues. Source is in decent condition.

Halloween Horrors Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix provides a straightforward understanding of dialogue exchanges, which fight technical limitations and microphone distance. Scoring is quieter, supporting scenes of torment.

Halloween Horrors Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features director Gary Whitson.

• "Pumpkin Eyes" (22:57, SD) is a segment from an "uncompleted W.A.V.E. holiday themed feature."

• "W.A.V.E. Custom Video Commercial" (6:10, SD) is a look at work from "In Dire Straits," a production company that offers viewers a chance to send in their own ideas and payment to see such fantasies brought to life. Clips from various titles are offered, and the "hosts" walk through a basement of props to showcase what these professional are working with. A brief Q&A is provided, including a claim that the company has a "talented pool of professional and semi-professional actors and actresses to choose from." No hardcore material, though, and submitted stories "should have a beginning, middle, and end."

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Halloween Horrors Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Halloween Horrors" isn't a good film, but it does have a firm understanding of the moviemaking assignment, offering cheap thrills in the SOV realm. It keeps the weirdness coming, and it's oddly bearable for a W.A.V.E. release, with defined turns of plot, some mild physical activity, and a short run time, working through the lurid details of restraint and anguish in a hurry.