It’s September, which to all us horror people means it’s October Eve! While you’re finishing up your Halloween decor hunting and prepping for the spooky season, why not get more into the spirit with Screambox’s newest exclusive: Creeping Death.
Halloween was always Tim’s favorite holiday-until his mother was diagnosed with brain cancer. Now, all he wants is a quiet night in. That is quickly disrupted when his friends pay him an unwanted visit after stealing a mysterious sack from the doorstep of a local crazy. This sacrilegious act unleashes the Aos Si, a Celtic spirit that walks the Earth on Halloween. They must band together and survive the night or make the ultimate offering-their lives. This Halloween, all who trick are treats.
Creeping Death, IMDB
As the synopsis says, Tim and his friends are gearing up for a Halloween night like no other. While he’s stuck at home watching over his mom, his friends — after a night of debauchery — unwittingly bring a malignant spirit of Irish folklore to his doorstep. The Aos Si is hellbent on destroying the lives of those who do not give, and Tim and his friends are in its sights. The Creeping Death of the title is more than just his mom’s cancer diagnosis.
Right off the bat we have some gorgeous orangey color grading happening here. Personally, I like when movies are tinted colors to reflect their mood and location. Creeping Death being centered around Halloween absolutely should look the part. I also appreciated how writer/director Matt Sampere chose to incorporate a Celtic creature of lore into the movie, a trend I’m glad to see on the rise. The first to incorporate the vengeful Aos Si, Creeping Death serves as a warning to those who trick.
The characters in this movie learn this lesson the hard way. Really, all of the nonsense they get into is mainly one friend, Nate’s, fault. They drink. They steal. They play pranks on other houses. Then they get murdered. The Creeping Death that is the Aos Si spares no amount of pain, delivering the bloodiest, grimiest kills this side of Ashville. The spirits themselves are like monstrous versions of jack-o-lanterns, screeching terrifically into the night.
I wouldn’t say Creeping Death is the next big thing to premiere at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, but that’s a good thing. Halloween (or should I say Samhain) is a homemade holiday — not a Hallmark one, if that makes sense. The movies that truly get the feeling — the spirit — of the holiday are ones like Creeping Death; the edges may be a little frayed in terms of acting or some plot points, but you can feel the love and thought that went into making this film. Creeping Death is made to see from your couch with a bunch of friends, or on your phone on the front porch as you’re waiting for trick-or-treaters. Creeping Death is a movie that years from now, I look at and think “when I watched this, the leaves were beginning to change.” It’s a memory-maker.
But don’t let my sappiness fool you. Creeping Death is still a horror movie and has Halloween oozing out of every ounce of blood and pumpkin guts on screen. You may even see an exploring head or two. Go watch it!
Creeping Death streams exclusively on Screambox starting September 10th. Follow it on Instagram for movie updates and more. Also give Matt Sampere a follow while you’re there!
