"HOW TO KILL MONSTERS" Is Practical Effects Mayhem And Non-Stop Laughs! (REVIEW)

2024 has been a great year for Indie Horror but a truly spectacular year for Indie Horror Comedies.  We’ve thoroughly enjoyed movies like Marc Coleman’s “MEMBERS CLUB,” Mike Hemosa’s “INVISIBLE RAPTOR,” Josh Forbes’ “DESTROY ALL NEIGHBORS,” and the “STREET TRASH” remake by Ryan Kruger.  The past few years have seen a welcome rise to this subgenre, and we’re all for it. Add to this ever-expanding list “HOW TO KILL MONSTERS,” directed by Stewart Spark, from a screenplay by Sparke and Paul Butler. This film is a hilarious cosmic mash-up of “ASSUALT ON PRECINCT 13” and H.P. Lovecraft’s “CALL OF CTHULHU,” with a healthy dash of “GARTH MARENGHI’S DARKPLACE” thrown in for good measure. It’s a clever, well-crafted romp with some Elder Gods that want to bring on the destruction of humanity, no biggie.  All these films mentioned above have one critical trait: they’re incredibly well-crafted scripts that work on multiple levels. The intricacies of a solid horror script are often sadly overlooked, and that goes double for horror comedy scripts. Not only do you have to support one genre successfully, but you also need to do the same for the other genre woven throughout your screenplay.  Pulling this off without tipping too far in one direction or sacrificing a genre altogether takes tremendous skill.  Not enough praise is given to the writers and directors that make this balance look easy. We love that there looks to be a new first-year class ready to replace the Raimis, Wrights, Pegs, and Dantes when that senior class is ready to retire. Will Sparke’s eventually be a top contender in that area?  Who knows, but we’re excited to see what the next project will be based on the thrills and laughs we had with “HOW TO KILL MONSTERS.”

The GOOD:

This film is entirely unafraid to take big swings.  Without giving away significant spoilers, we can say that the first fifteen minutes will take the viewer on an incredible ride of pure Eldritch mayhem that ends with a headscatching fake that will leave the viewer convinced they started the movie at the wrong place. These clever, cheeky little bits of fun elevate this movie above the standard fare we’re used to. Butler and Sparke have crafted a script that pays homage to the existential dead Lovecraft created nearly one hundred years ago, lovingly layering it with unhinged comedic set pieces that will leave the audience rolling. You can’t sleep on this story as there are twists and reveals that are sure to delight the viewer. Perhaps the cleverest part of the story is that once you think you have solid footing on what's happening and what to expect, the story turns on a dime, and you are on your heels, trying to stay one step ahead. The acting is top-notch across the board, with shout-outs going to Lindsay Craine and Aaron Denis as Jamie and Denis, our beleaguered protagonists. The practical effects are fantastic and suit the tone and feel of the film perfectly. They have a DIY quality that works perfectly and adds a sense of pure, monstrous joy to the action. The most successful aspect of this movie is the script. Clever and self-aware but never taking itself too seriously, we were constantly impressed by the choices that kept the audience slightly off balance with reveals and twists that added to the overall experience.

THE BAD (ish):

It’s hard to criticize a passion project from a creative team that put together such a fun, frantic Lovecraft lovefest.  With that said, the film suffers from budget limitations in certain scenes. While we adore all of the crazy, creative, practical work used, there are more than a few CGI effects that are poorly done and threaten to take the viewer completely out of the film.  We know that these are decisions made for trimming costs but the eyes don’t lie, and poor CGI does and always will feel flat and lifeless.  For a movie that’s so full of madcap chaos, these scenes put the brakes on the fun. Thankfully, they were few and far between. The filmmakers do the best with what they have, but there’s a point of diminishing returns with the jailhouse setting.  The third act, in particular, suffers the most, with the action taking place in claustrophobic tight shots that most likely had to be staged that way due to the confines of the set rather than a conscious decision to shoot that way.  If that’s the case, we can easily forgive it.  You get what you get, and you don't get upset, as our 5th-grade teacher used to say.

FINAL WORD:

Suggesting this film to anyone who loves a spectacular practical effect extravaganza is a no-brainer. The great thing about “HOW TO KILL MONSTERS” is that it succeeds on many levels. The script is clever, tight, and fun, with multiple twists and turns to keep viewers guessing what insane reveal is coming next. The characters, though stereotypes for sure, rise above where they start to become fully realized and well-rounded by the time the credits roll.  The acting is solid across the board, with everyone knowing what kind of film they’re in and swinging for the fences. This is an hour and a half of delightfully silly monster mayhem that anyone who loves a good comedy or creature feature should seek out immediately.