Horror sequels are likely to get a nasty rap, and for good purpose. There’s loads to get into with this, and all of it makes for nice debate, however one of the vital ignored causes is the dearth of dedication to continuity. What makes an excellent first horror film in a franchise is that it’s often instructed as a standalone story with none plans for sequels within the runup. Most slashers fall underneath this class, with Friday the 13th as maybe its biggest instance given the enduring Jason doesn’t even characteristic within the first film. He turns into the killer from half two onwards. When continuity is given a shot, as is the case in Halloween 2, the temptation to go larger and bloodier ends in much less character and delusion work, issues that made the primary film profitable.
Rio Youers and Tom Fowler’s Fridge Stuffed with Heads manages to keep away from these pitfalls by committing to its position as a direct sequel to Joe Hill and Leomacs’ Basketful of Heads whereas additionally introducing new characters that flesh out the lore behind the magical Viking weapons on the heart of the story. They do a powerful job of it too, creating a really beneficiant gorefest with new monsters and inventive kills, however by no means on the expense of story.
Fridge Stuffed with Heads follows Calvin Belinger and Arlene Fields as they head over to Brody Island for a soothing trip one 12 months after the horrible hurricane that hit there washed away the speaking severed heads and the magical axe that began all of the chaos of the primary e book. Their arrival is shortly met with a gaggle of bikers which are additionally visiting with the intention of discovering the axe. Calvin and Arlene discover themselves in the midst of this hunt, however they slowly reveal their very own causes for his or her presence at Brody.
One of many successes of Fridge is owed to Youers and Fowler taking refuge within the “if it ain’t damaged don’t repair it” rule, which instantly locations followers in a well-recognized setting with out a lot have to dump massive quantities of knowledge on how the world works. What they add to the rule is a little bit of extra to maximise the grindhouse/exploitation movie parts that made Basketful such uniquely enjoyable and gleefully violent romp.
For example, as a substitute of contending with the facility of a single magical axe, the sequel brings in additional mystical weapons into the fray, every with their very own powers. One weapon particularly, a sort of chest strap or belt made out of the scales of a large snake from Viking legend turns those that put on it right into a monster with a slithery disposition. Youers imbues every weapon with a historical past that’s as mysterious and creepy as it’s compelling, permitting Fowler to completely indulge the horror behind them to create some large-scale terror set items which are positive to make creature-feature lovers drool over the pages.
Youers’ script makes positive to honor the title’s promise, virtually doubling the quantity of heads chopped off by the axe this go-around. As was the case within the earlier e book, every head retains the flexibility to proceed speaking, however one particularly stands out for very sudden causes. After they’ve acquired the axe, Calvin and Arlene get attacked by a shark. Within the scuffle, the shark will get its head separated from its physique by the Viking axe. The top retains on chomping, finally changing into a killing software that’s given its time to shine. That is Fridge at its most bonkers, the sort of factor we’d see in sleazy Eighties horror sequels had the price range allowed for it. Solely right here it serves the aim of worldbuilding, and it paves the best way for a number of key sequences which are positive to depart an impression late within the story.
Basketful’s returning characters are additionally given the area to develop. Saying an excessive amount of would spoil some surprises, however their place within the story is carved in fairly properly and it by no means appears like their presence is mere fan service. That stated, Basketful of Heads is required studying for the total enjoyment of its sequel. The foundations for the issues that occur partly two have been already laid out by Hill and Leomacs in Basketful. Then once more, any purpose to learn or reread the primary e book is an efficient one, and Youers and Fowler are glad to it.
Fridge Stuffed with Heads achieves the uncommon feat of changing into a worthy sequel that honors the unique, builds upon the world and its characters, and nonetheless manages to be extra violent and grotesque than what got here earlier than it. It’s sensible in its execution and unreservedly vicious within the means of dumping buckets of blood on its pages. It’s the proper e book for each horror followers and people searching for an excellent exploitation-inspired e book that’s unafraid to throw monsters, darkish weapons, and chatty severed heads at readers for an expertise they’re not more likely to overlook.
