Hammer films have never really interested me. This British film production company is known for its gothic tales of popular horror characters like Dracula and Frankenstein, reaching its heyday from the 50s to 70s. Hammer films, with bright colors and old style of dramatic acting, never really hit the spot for me because I either wanted an actual old movie — we’re talking 20s and 30s here — or something closer to the current time period. But Shudder has a robust selection of classics, and the cover art got me thinking of what mayhem two identical twin ladies could cause for horror vet Peter Cushing. Twins of Evil tickled my fancy and gave me a story so compelling that I’m here reviewing it now.
After the death of their parents, twins Maria and Frieda are sent to the countryside to live with their highly religious uncle. Maria, the quiet and polite twin, sticks to the rules of the house. Frieda, the outgoing, outspoken, and troublemaking twin, searches for a more fitting and fun lifestyle, becoming entwined with the village’s Satan-worshiping Count Karnstein. As the god-fearing village men burn supposed “witches,” Maria and Frieda fight to find their place in the world, be it simple village living or exotic, enticing vampirism.
Twins of Evil, being a Hammer film, isn’t short on gothic aesthetic and vivid imagery. Brightly costumed sisters mirrored the dark, serious clothing of the witch hunters of the town. They’re acting was bright to match; Mary and Madeleine Collinson were perfect opposites Peter Cushing. Cushing in particular was fantastic as the pious Uncle Gustav, really sealing the deal as a religious fanatic, “hell-bent” on punishing witches.
I loved every bit of it. I loved the story and uniqueness of a good and evil twin. I loved the effects, blood and vampire fangs especially. I loved the setting of the quaint European village and castle. The characters were all engaging and interesting — each person brought something to the table, such as Count Karnstein’s playboy attitude or the witch-hunting Brotherhood’s bloodlust. Everything that I would normally call campy came off as such but without that overdone feeling. My only real gripe was that, although vampirism and satanism/witchcraft are somewhat related, I wish they would have chosen just one thing. I feel almost as if there could have been two separate stories coming out of this — or at least the same story twice, once with witches and another with vampires.
That aside, Twins of Evil is Freaky Friday with a horror twist. Ideal for Hammer fans (of course), as well as those who love bloody effects, sexy ladies, and a medieval monster or two.
