Mike Flanagan is an unabashed movie lover. He’s even active on Letterboxd, the social networking app for cinephiles. That makes him all the more accessible and gives his fans insight into the films that shaped and influenced him. The Hush director has used the platform to compile an exhaustive list of his all-time favorite horror films. One pick from his list caught my eye because I too count it as top-tier horror. But the film didn’t really win over critics upon release. I’m talking about the Stephen King and George Romero collaboration Creepshow 2.
The setup for Creepshow 2 goes like this:
This second horror anthology presents more eerie tales based on Stephen King stories. One episode finds a cigar store Native American statue coming to life to avenge the death of the shop owner (George Kennedy) and his wife (Dorothy Lamour). Another features a group of teens menaced by a blob-like creature. The final installment follows a wealthy and callous woman (Lois Chiles) who hits a hitchhiker with her car and decides to flee the scene, but the victim isn’t inclined to remain dead.
I wasn’t kidding when I said the film didn’t impress critics. The picture holds a paltry 29% ‘fresh’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The brutal critical consensus reads: “Not even the melding of Stephen King and George A. Romero’s writing sensibilities can elevate this spineless anthology, which is too simple in its storytelling and too skimpy on the genuine scares.”
It’s hard to say why critics of the time didn’t connect with the film. But I am glad to know that Mike Flanagan has a deep-seated appreciation for this exceptional anthology effort. The cast may not be quite as star-studded as the original, but the vignettes are engaging and sinister. Each features a morality play that nods to the EC Comics of yesteryear. In short, this follow-up effort carries on the spirit of its predecessor while simultaneously doing its own thing.
Where can I watch this Mike Flanagan-endorsed Chiller?
If you are itching to experience Creepshow 2, you can find the film streaming on Prime Video as of the publication of this post. If you haven’t yet experienced it, you’re in for a treat.
That’s all we have for you at present. Be sure to stay tuned to Dread Central for more recommendations from your favorite genre creators as we uncover them. If you’d like to discuss why Creepshow 2 is unfairly maligned by critics, hit me up on Threads @FunWithHorror.
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