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Seasonal cinematic fare is nothing new, as every year seems to bring an ever-increasing number of new titles to screens both big and small, some of these films being treats, while others feel like cruel tricks pulled on the unsuspecting viewer merely trying to bolster their holiday experience with appropriately themed entertainment.
When writer and director Michael Dougherty’s Trick ‘r Treat was released after much delay due the studio not believing it would capture audiences, it swiftly became a favorite among genre fans, effectively putting the studio’s stalling to shame.
Clocking in at a modest 82 minutes, this anthology film briskly but skillfully moves through a series of interconnected tales, which all, of course, take place on Halloween, where we follow multiple characters as they navigate the holiday from various perspectives and with various outcomes.
With an enigmatic, childlike trick-or-treater figure (Sam) present in every segment – whose prominence increases as the film goes on – there is an obvious character component tying everything together like a mute guide rather than an verbose narrator, however, since the devil is in the detail, Dougherty also ensured to have a myriad of background elements emphasize how the segments intersect, something that further underlines the passion that saturates Trick ‘r Treat.
The film boasts delightful practical effects for the most part, something that has not only helped the film remain visually fresh since its release, but it also connects the film to the wider history of the horror genre, and the pioneering special effects techniques synonymous with the genre.
Just about every classic monster you are likely to associate with Halloween has a moment here, either in their true form or as a mischievous nod to their origins, giving the film a light-hearted tinge that creates an enjoyable contrast to the horror and gore it also revels in.
Having so many different characters and creatures in such a short film could easily be a recipe for disaster, and while the framework of an anthology surely helps to reign them all in, a lot could still have gone horribly wrong, but thankfully Dougherty knew what he was doing, which makes Trick ‘r Treat nothing short of a Halloween miracle, if there is such a thing.
Tonally, the film also remains consistent, something that is also unusual for anthology films, as some segments usually fall short of others, but in spite of the segments being concerned with characters of varying ages having different relationships and experiences with the holiday, the film ultimately reaches a deeply satisfying crescendo.
Extras include commentaries, interviews, featurettes, archival featurettes, additional scenes, trailers, stills, and essays.
What truly makes Trick ‘r Treat so special, however, is not only the inherent playfulness of how it moves through its anthology of Halloween tales with joyful sincerity, but also how it captures the essence of the magic at the root of the holiday.
Rarely does a seasonal film come along that so perfectly encapsulates the spirit of a holiday, but Dougherty managed to catch lightning in a bottle with Trick r’ Treat, and it has very much deserved its status as a modern Halloween classic.
Verdict: 10 out of 10.
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