The Town That Dreaded Sundown is a horror film that is a sequel to the 1976 film of the same name. The newer version debuted on October 16, 2014. When the show opens, we meet couple, Jami Lerner (Addison Timlin) and Corey Holland (Spencer Treat Clark), who are at a drive-in, but decide to leave because Jamie admits that she does not like horror films. They decide to go to a Lovers Lane to get to know each other better and make out, but they are suddenly interrupted by a mad man, who makes Corey undress, before killing him with Jami watching. She becomes frightened and takes off in a mad rush, but he catches up with her very quickly. His final words to her are, “this is for Mary, make them remember”, before he lets her escape. Jami ends up in the hospital and the cops question her, about what really happened on Lover’s Lane. She is at home with her grandmother, Lillian (Veronica Cartwright), who tells her about the earlier murders, while reminding her that the movie brought the murders back to life. A young couple are in a motel room having sex. When they are done, Kendra Collins (Morganna Bridgers) sends her boyfriend, Danny (Wes Chatam), out for a vending machine snack. The phantom murders them both. Jami receives a phone call, afterwards from the phantom, who tells her that he will do it again and again, until she makes them remember. Jami decides to do a little investigating, about the sixty-six year old murders, while the town’s folks hold a meeting in the town hall. They blame the emergence of the phantom on the release of the film. Jami is escorted to the records room by Nick Strain (Travis Tope), who is a mysterious character that works at the city hall. Later, Jami meets with the media and Chief Deputy Tillman (Gary Cole). She tells them that she has received an email from the phantom, which contain threats to continue his rampage killing. Nick comes to Lillian’s home and asks Jami if she wants to go with him to a vigil that is being held in remembrance to Corey. They are at the vigil, when it is interrupted by someone dressed like the phantom. Paul Mason (Colby Boothman-Shepard) is shot, but not fatally. The news of the shooting spreads like a wildfire through the town and everyone begins to celebrate, but the happiness is short lived. Two homosexual boys are getting ready to make out in their car, when the phantom appears and once again he takes two more victims. Jami remembers the first time that she heard about the phantom, which was at a birthday party, when she was eight. Nick tries to make out with Jami, but she refuses and makes him get out of her car. The cops trace the email that Jamie received, which was supposed to have come from the phantom, but was actually from Reverend Cartwright (Edward Herrmann), who denies sending it. Nick apologizes to Jami by giving her a gift. She readily accepts his apology and gives him a quick kiss on the cheek. Meanwhile, the phantom is at it again and takes out two more victims. He leaves one victim displayed on a cross for everyone to see. Charles Pierce Jr. (Denis O’Hare) is interviewed by Jamie. He swears he owns the original phantom mask and also thinks he knows who the new phantom is, which he suggests is Hank McCreedy’s grandson. Jamie gets news from her grandmother that they are leaving for California and will be staying with her uncle. She says her goodbyes to Nick by having sex with him. Will Jamie and her grandmother make it out of town alive or will they be forced to stay in Texarkana? Who will solve the phantom mystery and find out who really did the killings? Review The Town That Dreads Sundown is more like a re-hash of the 76′ version than a sequel. The film is very dark and contains a lot of nudity, gruesome killings, and murder scenes, which kind of reminds one of the old Jason Voorhees films. Even though the film is supposed to have taken place in 2013 it still has the 70’s feel. Addison Timlin did very well in her main character role, but some did not do so well. Other actors did not master the southern accent in the film, which is hard to tolerate if you are a true southerner, as I am. I rather enjoyed watching this horror, but it could have done without some of the cheesy, vulgar dialogue that is not worth mentioning. All in all, it does deserve a 6 out of 10. ReelMockeryJay Skelton is a fan of all television shows and movies. He tries his […]
