Twisted and frantic this horror flick takes you on a ride of horror with a lot of good and realistic special effects and make-up. Totally off-the-wall The Shed has some nice surprises for the fan base and those that just want a night of craziness while chomping on microwave popcorn and sipping a few libations. Although it’s very predictable from the opening scenes, it’s getting to the outcome that will have you biting your finger nails. It’s a great way to start out the New Year if you crave movies about vampires. Now on DVD and Blu-ray January 7.
Stanley (Jay Jay Warren) dreams about his family and the things they would have done together if they were still alive, but he also has nightmares of what happened to them. He now lives with his grandfather Ellis (Timothy Bottoms) in a house that’s secluded from the rest of the town. Stan unfortunately is a nice guy, but one that attracts a lot of trouble because of it. He’s been an orphan since very young and growing up has spent time in Juvenile lock up. Now in his last year at Pilgrim Hill High School he can’t wait to get out of his grandpa’s abusive sermonizing.
Following a run in with some bullies while defending his best pal Dommer (Cody Kostro), the two best friends ditch school and head off for their hangout on the way to Stan’s house. Dommer is still miffed about the altercation he had with the bullies and takes it out on Stan for not being more sympathetic. Dommer leaves Stan with both of the teens in a bad mood.
When Stan gets home his gramps tells him to cut the lawn with the lawnmower being in the backyard shed. When the dog gets angry and barking indicating that something’s in the shed, Stan discovers it’s occupied by a ghoul. So begins a tale that’s so creepy, violent, gory and daemonic you may keep the lights on all night.
Director Frank Sabatella sets up his audience in a very different way. He introduces his vampire right from the opening scene then works in his main protagonist who unintentionally leads several of the townspeople into the shed from hell. He smartly adds some very funny incidents, uses nightmares to set up some frightening scenes and puts Stan’s best friend and their nemesis in the thick of things. He even adds a little romance with Stan’s ex-girlfriend Roxy (Sofia Happonen) that leads to her being helpful against the succubus.
The acting is pretty good in this indie film, especially in the main roles of Stan, Roxy and Dommer. As the best friend Dommer, Cody Kostro puts a lot into the role of the best friend that goes all looney on Stan. He finds himself needing Stan to stave off the bullies and then gets a little too close to the lair of the vampire. He shows that even the best of friends can’t save Stan from a daemon as ferocious as this one.
As for Sofia Happonen as the on again off again love interest Roxy, she can’t seem to work her magic with Stan, but she doesn’t give up. However, when the danger starts to get very heated, she’s there for Stan and gives him the much needed help. This is her first feature film and she nails the role helping the movie to its inevitable finish.
In the lead role of Stan, Jay Jay Warren puts on a terrific show as the kid who has been kicked around the block in several foster homes only to find that his cantankerous grandpa is the only one left to help him. Although toughened by a life of one failure family after another, his Stan is still a nice guy just trying to make it in a future that keeps changing. High School has taken a toll on him in more ways than one, especially trying to avoid getting into fights. When he has to stand up against the creature in his grandfather’s shed however, he already has the built in attitude for it.
The Shed has not been rated by the MPAA, but contains gory violence, language, sexuality, underage drinking. Lock all your doors, nail down the windows, get you best libation and make sure you have a friend or loved one handy to hug before turning on this Blu-ray or DVD.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A wild and wicked blood gusher for Horror fans. (3.5 out of 5 stars)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Jay Jay Warren, Sofia Happonen, Frank Whaley, Siobhan Fallon Hogan, Timothy Bottoms
Directed and screenplay by: Frank Sabatella
Written by: Jason Rice
Genre: Drama, Horror
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, contains gory violence, language, sexuality, underage drinking
Running Time: 1 hr. 38 min.
Video Release Date: January 7, 2020
Language: English
Reviewed Format: DVD
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
Video: Aspect Ratio 2.40:1
Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish
Number of Discs: 1 disc
Distributed by: RLJE Films
Released on: Blu-ray, DVD
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
