FINAL GIRL explores the slasher flicks of the '70s and '80s...and all the other horror movies I feel like talking about, too. This is life on the EDGE, so beware yon spoilers!

Oct 26, 2023

Day 26 - "They're waiting at the edge of the city."


Reader, I will not lie! Time and the such caught up with me yesterday, and as such I did not watch a horror movie last night. For shame, I know. "But," thought I, "I will just watch something suitable in the morning." Then the morning came and with it, news of a mass shooting that happened in a nearby town. Let's face it, it's a daily occurrence in this country, isn't it? This one was close enough that my city is a ghost town today. We're not on shelter-in-place or anything like that, but the airport, schools, and most stores are closed as at the time of writing this, there's an active shooter on the loose. I'm not scared, just more sad than anything. (Though my mom did text me to tell me to keep my doors locked, which is...a very sweet mom thing to do.)

So to be honest, I don't much feel like watching something new or reassessing something I've already seen and trying to come up with, you know, ~*~*~opinions~*~*~ and the such.

I think what I'll do instead is zone out with a movie I love so much, one I check out every couple of months or so because it rules so hard. I'm talking about the one and only Messiah of Evil.


The new fancy pants edition from Radiance Films arrived just the other day, and I'd been holding off on checking it out, saving it for Halloween night. But I think it's perfect for today, some weird, moody comfort food. And technically it still fits with this SHOCKtober's ethos, as it appeared on the 2020 list of reader faves at #135, having garnered seven votes. 

I've written about Messiah of Evil time and time and time again, but today I'm going to bask in the pleasure of watching it with no motivation beyond pure enjoyment. I always hoped but daren't have dreamed about this movie getting the royal restored treatment (beyond what Code Red had already done), so it's very exciting that it's here waiting...waiting for you! 

Watch something you love today! And if that something is Messiah of Evil, I understand. This movie is just the best.

9 comments:

Jason Adams said...

I know it's so corny and I get annoyed at my mom when there's like a random mugging in the Bronx and she sends me a message saying she hopes I'm okay, but you're the literal only person I know in Maine so I immediately thought of you last night and was waiting to hear you were okay. This fucking country, man. Enjoy Messiah of Evil - I watched the doc on the disc the other night when I got mine and it's recommended!

Stacie Ponder said...

Aw thanks Jason :) It's actually really appreciated :) I guess it's just a mom way of doing "something" to ensure we're safe, which is actually very comforting. While the circumstances surrounding her text are awful, it was just...cute?...to me that I should lock my door. But then over the last month or so I've had white nationalists stuff flyers in my mailbox on two occasions, so maybe I SHOULD double-check my locks. Sigh. This fucking country, indeed.

matango said...

I love California Coast Horror, the subgenre that exists in my head. (This, the Fog, the Love Witch, etc.).

Stacie Ponder said...

I love seaside horror. Which has me thinking I'm about due for a rewatch of Dead & Buried.

Steve K said...

Yesterday on a social medium, Jason (above) posted the cover of the new Messiah of Evil release from Radiance Films and the artwork looks GORGEOUS. (Jason: I mentally liked the post even though I didn't interact with it.)

I'm sorry that the world sucks and that it's near your doorstep; this movie is the closest thing to self-care I can think of, too. I hope it provided adequate comfort/distraction.

Matt said...

I was at the beach the first week of October so I watched a couple of seaside horror movies. This wasn't on the list, but I did watch Dead & Buried for the very first time. I love spooky fake coastal towns in horror movies, and all of the people who live (and die) in them.

I don't really buy physical media anymore but the special edition of Messiah of Evil is tempting! How good is the restoration? Can you notice a big difference in the picture quality?

This movie is one of my favorite "discoveries" from listening to Gaylords of Darkness. I may not have ever watched it if I hadn't heard you all talk it up so much.

Stacie Ponder said...

Matt - here's a review of the new edition, with fancy comparison slides between that and the Code Red. I thought the Code Red was as good as it'd probably get, but the Radiance version is stunning!

Nicholas Kaufmann said...

Please stay safe!

Astroboymn said...

Glad you are ok. Fuck this country and its horrible politicians who DO NOT CARE.

Ohhhh, this movie. I'm a 70s guy and can't believe I'd never caught this until just about 6-7 years ago. It became an instant favorite. The scene in the movie theater, omg, that's just so frightening to me.