A Book A Week

Good stories linger in our minds, prompting us to reflect on their themes, characters, and the emotions they evoke. Some of the most memorable stories for me come from the horror genre. Great horror does more than just scare; it challenges us to consider concepts like good and evil and the complexities of humanity. The best stories are driven by compelling characters, regardless of genre, and resonate with us long after we've finished reading. Paul Tremblay is a master at blending terrifying scenarios with intricate characters. He has captivated readers with genre-defining works such as A Head Full of Ghosts and The Cabin at the End of the World. Now, he returns with his latest tale, Horror Movie, a chilling story of nostalgia, regret, and second chances.

Sometimes, you can just sense when a project is destined to be magical. For the cast and crew of Horror Movie, that feeling is unmistakable. It's the summer of 1993, and they are pushing the boundaries of guerrilla filmmaking. Their art-house approach embraces the rawness of each scene. Lacking a substantial budget, they depend on their setting—an abandoned school—their script—an evolving document only fully known to the director and screenwriter—and a cast deeply immersed in their roles. The standout of this ensemble is the film's monster, "The Thin Kid," portrayed by a wiry misfit with no previous acting experience. To keep him fully engaged in his character, the filmmakers instruct him to always wear his mask on set and avoid speaking to the other cast and crew. This method results in true cinematic magic. Oddly, though, the completed movie is never released. Only three scenes ever make it to the public. Over the years, curiosity about the final film and the mysterious events on set turn Horror Movie into a legend. Devoted fans yearn to see the entire film and experience its enigmatic terror.

Decades later, the actor who played "The Thin Kid" is the only surviving member of the original cast. Curiosity about the unreleased project has reached a fever pitch, and a major movie studio is eager to capitalize on the buzz. They plan to remake Horror Movie, using the original script and hiring the actor to produce and reprise his legendary role. He is excited to finally complete the project, and the substantial paycheck is an excellent incentive to do it. As production gears up, though, the past comes crashing back in. He'll have to confront the secrets buried within the original screenplay, face the reality of the unconventional events of the filming, and avoid crossing the same dangerous lines that led to an unspeakable tragedy. 

Horror Movie sees Paul Tremblay craft a terse, visceral novel that chilled me to my core. The book unfolds through shifting perspectives: the unnamed actor's audiobook recollections, past and present, and excerpts from the original screenplay. It took me a moment to fully grasp the structure, but I quickly fell into the story's rhythm and was utterly captivated. Tremblay's terror works on multiple levels. First, there's the mystery of what happened on the film set. It's shrouded in secrecy and gradually revealed through flashbacks. Concurrently, the novel presents an actual horror movie as a screenplay, immersing us in a retro horror vibe that reflects our nostalgia and expectations. Further still, the novel critiques reboot and sequel culture, highlighting Hollywood's tendency to recycle ideas and extend franchises far beyond their natural shelf life. Tremblay brings the ramifications of this creative stagnation to a fittingly horrific conclusion.

Finally, and perhaps most effectively, Horror Movie works on an unconscious level. Three-quarters of the way through, I began to feel a growing sense of unease that had been building since I started reading. I began to piece together the clues, realizing how a perfectly laid path had been set out, leading me, the unsuspecting reader, to a shocking yet inevitable ending. It was a gut punch of a revelation that only the best horror can deliver. Ultimately, Horror Movie is a masterful showcase of the power of this genre and an homage to all the great horror stories that have come before it. The novel further cements Tremblay's position as a storyteller at the peak of his craft.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2024, 57)