When it comes to horror anthology films, they are unfortunately a scarce commodity. Although this format increased in fame during the ‘80s and has a seen a mild revival, it is still a seldom used format. Short stories are difficult to tell and so are anthology films which need a narrative that links them all together.
In my opinion, Nightmare Radio (2019) does an excellent job blending the 80s aesthetic of classic anthology horror with film. The setting takes place in the DJ studio in the dead of night. DJ Rod Wilson (James Wright) answers calls and spins DJ’s spooky stories to his viewers while something mysterious is happening in the studio. It’s eerie and captures the essence of an ‘80s horror classic and is definitely one to put on during Halloween.
First things first, don’t expect anything profound out of this movie. It features both the ‘fun’ and ‘scary’ aspects of the 80s. The anthology film format excels at bite-sized storytelling with a mix of cue and horror blended into a tasty treat. One segment highlights a monster named The Smile Man (Strange Dave) as they stalk a child, while another one faces ballerina Marta’s (Marina Romero) trauma of domestic abuse given a metaphysical twist. The audience is given an arrangement, not a single tone, which many viewers may find off-putting. Not everyone shares the same affinity for 80’s style.
These stories are quite fascinating, but I have a soft side for the one that portrays a young girl called Mary Stella Charrington helping her mother, Melanie Zanetti, take mortuary photographs of a deceased child. The frontiers of America are portrayed and the portrayal of grief along with the silent dread is visually striking, and the finale is eerie. This is among my favorite time frames to delve into, the details in costumes and the set dressing are fantastic. The filmmakers certainly put in a considerable amount of effort which I truly appreciated.
The creepiest story is that of Willie Bingman, a con who bears the brand of a convicted murderer. At his sentencing, Bingman was to serve a more humane alternative to the death penalty by undergoing psychological torture. A pledge that Bingman would come to regret. Withaled limbs served purely as a reminder of a victim he was forced to overcome psychologically. His wretchedness was worsened by the constant reminder of his sentence Visitations at school, where children jeeringly shout profanities as he becomes an inch closer to losing control of every single factor of his life. While some claim these retrospectively are the linchpin of effective moral punishment, forcing a prisoner to visually bear witness to crimes committed against them is disturbing. Amputations and other surgical procedures, that were claimed to be deeply attended to by the state claiming them to be tender, are just gore-laden barracks fuelled by self-serving motives that cause the sadistic dehumanization of an individual. Every inch of poorly masked but expertly executed torture adds a harrowing statement to the notion of what humane treatment truly consists of.
There’s always something in a show that sticks out as a weakness, and for Nightmare Radio, it’s the stilted acting. Nevertheless, these type of films focus on the ideas and execution and this film delivers in both aspects.
All things considered, it is still a decent anthology film with some unforgettable tales. It is ideal for late night viewings in Halloween season, especially for those who enjoy classic horror films.
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