Pigeon Shrine FrightFest Halloween is currently underway this weekend. After an evening of frights yesterday, directors Ryan Smith and Tyler Foreman have opened day two with their comedy horror musical, Eldritch, USA. The musical charts the misadventures of brothers Geoff (Graham Weldin) and Rich (Andy Phinney) as jealousy leaves one of them dead, and the other desperate for a cure.
Geoff and Rich Brewer are the classic movie odd-couple siblings. Rich is a cocky and confident ladies man, who the whole town is in love with. Geoff is the shy, and more awkward brother, who even his parents ignore. Both brothers work for the local news channel, Rich as the anchorman, and Geoff the cameraman. Whilst Rich is fairly content with their dynamic, Geoff is horribly jealous of his brother, believing him to have stolen everything he has ever wanted. After visiting a death cult who believe in the power of resurrection, Geoff accidentally kills Rich. Remorseful for his actions, Geoff returns to the cult, who successfully bring Rich back, but it’s a very different Rich that has returned.
Eldritch, USA taps into similar veins of humour as Weekend at Bernie’s, The Lost Boys, and Fright Night, embracing the whimsy of the absurd. The focus on comedy helps make Eldritch, USA an entertaining treat. The effects work on ‘zombie’ Rich provides much of the laughs, the design throwing back to the olden days of movie monsters. Rather than being a festering pile of meat, Rich is simply painted a blueish grey colour. That no one questions his strange new colour, infuses the film with that magic comedy found within sitcoms such as Bewitched. Eldritch, USA’s playful tone is delightfully charming and vital to keeping the film on track.
Although the humour of Eldritch, USA works, the musical side struggles. The main reason for this is that the songs feel too spaced out. There is enough space between each number that the audience almost forgets that there is meant to be a musical side to the piece. The lack of momentum of the musical numbers will be disheartening to those expecting something akin to Anna and the Apocalypse. Another issue is that, although the songs are all enjoyable, none of them quite have that earworm quality, and it is unlikely that many will be leaving the cinema humming any of the songs. In the gap between each song comes the more dramatic narrative moments, which occasionally kill the pacing of the film with both the music and comedy forgotten.
With a little finessing and balancing of its drama, comedic and musical elements, Eldritch, USA has the potential to become a cult gem. As it currently stands, Eldritch, USA is charming enough to be an enjoyable watch, it’s just lacking that spark to make it super special.
Eldritch, USA
Summary
All of the components within Eldritch, USA work fine in separation, with the comedic elements being particularly strong. However, when mixed together, there is an imbalance of tone and content that leaves the film struggling to fully connect.
Eldritch, USA was reviewed at Pigeon Shrine FrightFest Halloween 2023.
