The Evilmaker

Howdy all. I'm back and want to explore Indie Horror once more. Now, now no need to run for the hills. After all, I am the one viewing this and not you. I found a name at random that sparked neurons in the old coconut. actor/writer/director John Bowker (directing: Dreamwalkers, Beyond the Lost World: The Alien Conspiracy III, Housebound, The Seekers and Werewolf Tales) and it donned on me. Platoon of the Dead.  Yeah that clearly we're college kids shooting with next to no budget, we have stormtrooper blasters and mix and match uniforms we got from Army surplus goodness??   Well he did direct and star in that but I found some Horror with his credentials and I wanted to see if he has the goods. This is The Evilmaker.

Who stole my pants??!!

Now the promo page does look like it was cut with Windows Movie Maker or a decent budgeted porno but let's not be too quick to judge. With intro titles and music we get a tad more melodious and decent font for actors. 3 minutes of wind instruments, piano and credits is a bit long. Sorry I yawned a bit from that.

Our lead character is Serena (Stephanie Beaton of Wicthcraft IX: Bitter Flesh, Zombie Gang Bangers, Witchcraft X: Mistress of the Craft, Monster in My Car, Eyes of the Werewolf, Witchcraft XI: Sisters in Blood and A Passion) has barely escaped an insanely abusive relationship. No really, this guy makes Ike Turner and Mike Tyson seem calm by comparison. With a freak-out light show, a unearthly voice, blood spattered in the house, I'm thinking counseling is just not going to cut it. Was it all just a dream? Nope was three days later.

Cut to Serena hanging out with her friends after her break-up. Oh, now I see. That was eluding to events not yet transpired. Okay. Thought she was dating Ed Gein. No it turns out she just got divorced from an unhappy marriage.

Robert Smith changed my whole life.

 

Serena's mom, Mrs. Parker(Betty Griffith of The Evilmaker and Abomination: The Evilmaker II) is visted by spooky Goth girl Rachel (Felicia Pandolfi of The Evilmaker, Dreamwalkers, The Seekers and Bloodsucking Redneck Vampires) at the request of Serena. Don't worry, Mom. She just has bad poetry, the smell of clove cigarettes and far too many Sisters of Mercy and Cradle of Filth ablums. Besides Rachel is out during the day so we can almost rule out vampire. Unless she's a thousand years old or really good sunblock.

Rachel is getting Serena out of the house, boost her spirits and maybe give her a reason to live. An outing is really what she needs. They're off for a road trip and some time with friends. Snagging friends Tyler (Dori Schwartz of Monster in My Car, The Evilmaker and The Seekers) and Cindy (Arlene Henry of Monster in My Car, The Evilmaker and Abomination: The Evilmaker II) so it's a girls' weekend. Could hit a bar and scoop up some boys. Maybe just zone out on some films. Could invoke a cacophony of spirits from an book bound in human flesh and inked in human blood. Sky's the limit. What? It's Horror and that leaves a pantheon of scenarios that can and will happen.

Yes male sexist readers, there's nudity. God forbid you be here for the plot.

Naturally the minivan craps out so it's off the highway and on a near deserted gravel road. Yeah because those treks always pan out well.   Just walk back the highway, let Serena flash some leg at the vehicles, you'll be at a garage and tow in no time.  They dink with the Mystery Machine for a spell but none of them know if it threw a rod, if it needs oil or hell maybe a belt broke.

Serena hears a voice from nowhere calling her name and is reasonably creeped out by it, so off to hang with the girls in their time of crisis. Time lapse and clearly they are tired of waiting for a good samaritan. You'd think there would be a perv in a muscle car at least offering Serena and Rachel a ride in multiple meanings.

The Dungeon Master feels you took too many snacks!!

The girls hoof it for a spell when Rachel hears the voices. To be fair, they may just be in her head but I am thinking otherworldly. I'm be packing cold iron and salt for my next road trip. Maybe some silver as well. Voices from the culvert aside, they better make tracks before the sun dips down or travel will be even more difficult. None of them are packing water, flashlights or even an emergency road kit. Don't mock those kits by the way. They have at least some road flares. Magnesium burns is probably going to hurt a lot.

With a bit of walking, the girls find a cabin with plumbing, electricity and being the good girls they are, they just break-in. WHAT??!!!

Yup, enjoy their booze, sleep in their beds and have a bath or two. Um, I really hope the three bears come home and straighten them out. Stephanie Beaton and Felicia Pandolfi's performances really stand out and they are busting ass in scenes so yeah. Not bad at all.

Topping off at 97 minutes, there is room for improvement, sure but not a huge amount. Director may consider wireless mics for the actors to wear, blocking needs a bit of work and exterior shots do seem to last longer.

Overall with a limited budget, this is mostly location based and the abandoned house works well enough. Music score provided by Tim Brassfield sets good tone. The girls give off the vibe of being creeped out. I would say at least two cameras and a shotgun mic would help as well. Other than that, you got a creepy film that you let unfold and you might just enjoy it. Yes there is a sequel and yeah I just might review that as well. 

C'mon Garner. Where are you?