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THE TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN (2014)

A Town Revisited: A Review of "The Town That Dreaded Sundown" (2014)

Movie: The Town That Dreaded Sundown (2014)

Genre: Slasher Horror

Year: 2014

Country: USA

A Town Haunted by History: "The Town That Dreaded Sundown" (2014) isn't your typical slasher flick. It's a meta-sequel, revisiting the Texarkana murders of 1946 through the lens of the 1976 film of the same name. Our story kicks off with a drive-in screening of the original film, a chilling reminder of a dark past. But soon, the past bleeds into the present as a masked killer starts picking off couples, echoing the crimes of yesteryear. Is it a copycat or something more sinister? Enter Jami (played by the fantastic Addison Timlin), a high school student who might hold the key to unraveling the mystery.

Alluring Performances: The acting in this film is a cut above your average slasher. The cast delivers believable performances, even when faced with the absurdity of the situation. Timlin shines as Jami, navigating fear, suspicion, and a surprising amount of agency with remarkable nuance. The rest of the cast holds their own, but it's Timlin who truly elevates the film.

Technically Sound Chills: The camerawork in "The Town That Dreaded Sundown" is effective, building tension and dread during the killer's stalking scenes. The sound design is equally impressive, with sharp effects that make you jump and a score that perfectly complements the on-screen scares.

A Slash Above Average, But Not a Genre Revolution: Here's the thing: "The Town That Dreaded Sundown" is a perfectly enjoyable slasher film. It's got good scares, solid acting, and a clever premise. However, it doesn't stray far from the slasher formula. The lack of originality might leave some viewers wanting more. For me, the biggest drawback was the underdeveloped killer. We get very little insight into their motives, making it hard to connect with them or feel truly invested in their reign of terror.

So, is it worth a watch? Absolutely! With its great acting, particularly Timlin's stellar performance, and its stylish chills, "The Town That Dreaded Sundown" is a fun, albeit familiar, horror experience. I'd give it 3 out of 5 stars.

Netizens Divided: Reviews for the film were mixed. Some praised the acting and atmosphere, while others criticized the lack of originality. Box office results were modest, with the film grossing a little over $120,000 against an estimated budget of $1 million.

Trivia Time: Did you know that the original 1976 film was actually banned in Texarkana for several years due to its perceived sensationalization of the real-life murders? "The Town That Dreaded Sundown" (2014) cleverly acknowledges this fact within the film itself.