As a group of truckers listen to the Mystery Highway radio program, they imagine themselves in the scary stories presented — everything from alien abductions to ghosts and even murder. An anthology that will thrill and chill, Mystery Highway puts you in the shoes of an innocent bystander watching the terror unfold for this group of individuals.
Part Twilight Zone, part Nightmare Cinema, all anthology goodness, Mystery Highway is a more toned-down and psychological scare. Featuring six stories and a wrap-around, it delivers subtle spooks — some will make you think, some will make you cower. “Stover Hill” makes an alien attack something to fear as it takes over members of a household. “The Loyal Remnant” is a battle of wits between the devout religious and those not beholden to the word of god. “Discontinuance” is the story of an abducted man who is struggling to bond with his daughter.
I had three favorites in particular: “Crazy Joe,” “Dark Chocolate,” and “You are Me.” The first is a sad story of a man dealing with the loss of his family. But instead of the usual they were dead the whole time trope, it gets turned on its head with an ending that is just as powerful as it is threatening. “Dark Chocolate” sees a man stuck in a rut due to gambling, being offered a deal that feels too good to be true. Is the old man wagering over chocolates really to be trusted? Maybe — or maybe not. Wrapping up the Mystery Highway broadcast is “You are Me,” where a scientist tries to import his consciousness into a robot after he becomes deathly ill without alerting his wife. The story progresses with a similar vibe to I Sing the Body Electric, leaving you feeling a sense of wonder and possibility with a tinge of somberness.
While I love over-the-top, scary anthologies, I can appreciate something like Mystery Highway being a quieter, more thoughtful movie. It still makes you feel the unease of a situation without blowing out your eardrums with loud noises or making you look away from the screen for scenes that may be too much to handle. Mystery Highway is a psychological work of art that creates space for you to add your own what ifs, because nothing can beat your own imagination. A slower pace than your average scary movie, Mystery Highway is a great entry point to horror films. Don’t be fooled by its lower budget; what it lacks in big-name stars and million-dollar effects, it makes up with good ol’ editing and story.
Do you dare to listen in to Mystery Highway yourself? Watch it here on YouTube.
