Scared Shitless is a hilarious tribute to the Alien franchise. When a resident of an apartment complex accidentally unleashes a strange-looking leech into the sewer system, chaos erupts in ways that go beyond the typical single-location horror formula. While it recalls the frantic energy of Evil Dead: Arise, the film also channels the streetwise vibe of Attack the Block, albeit with a distinctly Canadian twist. And like most films that premiered the previous year at Fantasia Film Festival, it’s now available to stream, or should I say scream?
In tone and aesthetic, the Ghoulies influence feels stronger than The Blob. Written by Brandon Cohen and directed by Vivieno Caldinelli, the narrative reminds us that some of the scariest threats lurk just beneath our feet. Unlike creature features, where monsters simply leap out to snap at whatever’s nearby, this story also centers on a father-and-son duo attempting to save the residents from the sewer-dwelling menace.
The tension between domestic responsibility and supernatural horror keeps the stakes high throughout. Don (Steven Ogg) takes pride in his work as a plumber. When he reluctantly drags along his aimless son Sonny (Daniel Doheny), the two must learn to work as a team rather than a slapstick Abbott and Costello act. Sonny, a self-described nerd, has retreated from the world after the death of his mother.
This tension between father and son gives the story a heartfelt foundation. But ultimately, the film delivers exactly what viewers hope for: all the gooey, grotesque fun spilling from the pipes and it’s a tribute to all things 50s if I had to say how it looks. The design is very Steve Kostanski style driven, and when that’s easy to recognize, so will be the humour that is very Kids in the Hall. Kudos to Mark McKinney for delivering the laughs as the delightfully eccentric Dr. Robert. He’s the reason behind it all, the chaos at The Palmer Estate. I like to think of him as a twisted, slightly unhinged Bunsen Honeydew.
That’s the heart of the film’s fun: viewers are left guessing who will be next on the horror “smorgasbord” of victims. As a horror comedy, Scared Shitless hits all the right notes. It delivers laughs at perfectly timed moments, frights without overwhelming terror, and pays tribute to classic creature features without ever feeling derivative. Who needs a killer tomato when we have a slug here?
4 Stars out of 5
Scared Shitless Movie Trailer
