growing up in the 1980's and watching the horror genre bloom into slasher mania was awesome. Over the years we've been subjected to Hollywood's watered down PG-13 horror films. Thankfully this movie shows up with barely even a budget and actually tries to be a good movie. Screw "horror" needing to be super scary, great acting and impeccable make-up and special effects- this movie is why I LOVE horror films because it was fun. This flick had a good story and more importantly heart and that's what won me over. You could tell this was made by people who enjoyed these type of movies. We need more films made by the fans and less made by big studios. Mark this as a Win for independent horror baby!!!

Judging by the recent plenitude of (horror) movies - and even entire TV-series - that are either taking place during OR unmistakably paying tribute to the 1980s, I think it's safe to say that a whole new generation of filmmakers suffer from "homesickness" (by lack of a better term) towards the decade in which it was so much easier and more fun to produce and watch horror movies! There's noticeably an immense longing for the good old times when stereotypical characters and clichéd plot lines weren't world-widely criticized on the Internet before the movie got properly released (what Internet?), when dumb teenage protagonists were still getting into physical trouble rather than belittling each other via social media, and when horror victims were still being massacred by killers & monsters with hideous make- up effects rather than by digitalized computer creations. "The Barn" obviously also belongs in this trend and, although not as popular or hyped as "Stranger Things" or "The Final Girls", it's definitely worth checking out for fans of old-school splatter as well as amateurish yet enthusiast low-budget film making. It's almost Halloween in the year 1989, and the 19-year-old but still very immature buddies Sam and Josh are petrifying the neighborhood children and annoying their teacher (cameo of none other than Linnea Quigley). The next day, on their way to a Halloween concert with a few more friends, they stop at a godforsaken barn where according to an ancient local legend three sinister Halloween monsters lie buried. Against the will of firm legend-believer Sam, the group knocks at the door and thus awakens the Boogeyman miner, Hallowed Jack-o-Lantern and Candycorn Scarecrow. The monsters promptly go on a killing spree in the nearby town Helen's Valley, with as gory highlight the extermination of nearly the entire village during the annual Halloween dance. Writer/director Justin Seaman has a lot of heart for the genre and many bright ideas, and therefore you also gladly forgive the lack of style and the many directorial defaults. There are too many overlong dialogues, redundant sequences and questionable performances, but it doesn't matter all that much because this is a full-blooded Halloween feature and highly recommended for the fans. Too many gore-highlights to choose from, including decapitations, eye- gouging, pickax in the head, etc… There's also a good soundtrack and – like it was the case in the 80s - even a bit of totally gratuitous nudity.

Caught this flick at Midsummer Scream Halloween Fest. If you are a fan of eighties movies you will appreciate the effort put into the Barn. It is a nostalgia film that makes you miss the days of big hair,video stores, malls and arcades. In terms of quality, the film is shot very well with some exceptional camera work and lighting. I actually got on my phone after the film had finished to see what year it was made because parts seemed like real 8mm or 16mm film. Would I call it a great film??? No, but is any film great??? I'd say it was a blast to watch. I heard one person call it a Halloween party movie and it's just that. People will love this or hate it for their own reasons. Some solid acting and my god THE MUSIC! Whoever did the background music (not the band songs) this person knows there stuff let me tell you. It has a sort of 'Planet Terror' look with the film burns that helps sell the vibe even more for me, but may turn off some movie snobs. More than anything it did capture the spirit of Halloween--- not to the degree of Trick r Treat (I'm sure with a bigger budget they might have) but they did a good job none the less. It doesn't look like a big budget Hollywood independent with its overall quality, but I also don't think it would have the same charm if it did. It has its own look and for me it works. I buy it. It's not a hardcore horror film, I would compare this to the likes of the Monster squad meets Night of the demons with an almost magical Little Monster feel to it. My only gripe is that one of the characters def needed more "scream" time before getting the cut -I won't spoil the kills- but I found myself being jaded that this character's bit ended early on. I truly hope they make a sequel to this movie because I want to know what happens next! I give it a 9/10. -1 for killing off my favorite character in the movie!!!

Watched this at Scares that Cares last night because my boyfriend wanted to see it. Full disclosure time :) my boyfriend loves horror movies and I tolerate watching them for him. I am SOOOOO glad he made me go see this movie! It was so much fun! He and I both enjoyed it for different reasons. He loved the monsters, the over the top kills, and the music. I loved it because it actually had a story and wasn't just some annoying kids getting slashed apart by a madman and these actor and actresses could actually act. It was refreshing to say the least. I can't wait to buy this when it comes out. If you can see this movie playing somewhere nearby I highly recommend you do.