"American Scarecrow" is released by Wild Eye Releasing, a studio that focuses on modern Z-grade horror films. Many of these films are dumped on Tubi with little prospect for appreciation. It's a shame too. This particular movie is higher quality than many of the studio's output. It also contains little of the "wink and nod" humor that plagues these movies.
Director Steve Lustgarten opens the movie with a bank appraiser visiting an abandoned farmhouse that has fallen into foreclosure. The camera follows behind the man and into a well taking on a the role of a ghost he cannot see but we can. Eventually, the man is assaulted by someone or something coming out from behind a barn corner. The bank sends a construction team out to investigate and possibly renovate the house. After much time, the titular scarecrow steps out and starts murdering the team. Oh, and his little sister is there too.
The scarecrow torments anyone who visits the home starting with his own and his sister's abusive parents. His means of doing so involve all the standard fare. He stabs and stalks like the best of 80s slashers. The film's low budget helps immensely here to create atmosphere when the killing starts. The killing takes place at night, and the limited lighting only illuminates the focal point of each image. Some light is on the edge of the actors. It reminds me of watching older Italian horror movies in which fog was used to hide the cheap sets. The film may have been shot on 35 mm or if it wasn't a filter was used to invoke grain. This gives the movie a dreamy quality that disavows realism. The movie feels like this kind of movie should despite being made in 2020 and not 1985. Unfortunately, it takes too long too for the Scarecrow to get there with little nudity or other intrigue along the way. The little sister character is amusing yet insufficient to keep us involved especially for the scant 71 minute runtime. If you enjoy killer scarecrow movies, this is a better one.
Director Steve Lustgarten opens the movie with a bank appraiser visiting an abandoned farmhouse that has fallen into foreclosure. The camera follows behind the man and into a well taking on a the role of a ghost he cannot see but we can. Eventually, the man is assaulted by someone or something coming out from behind a barn corner. The bank sends a construction team out to investigate and possibly renovate the house. After much time, the titular scarecrow steps out and starts murdering the team. Oh, and his little sister is there too.
The scarecrow torments anyone who visits the home starting with his own and his sister's abusive parents. His means of doing so involve all the standard fare. He stabs and stalks like the best of 80s slashers. The film's low budget helps immensely here to create atmosphere when the killing starts. The killing takes place at night, and the limited lighting only illuminates the focal point of each image. Some light is on the edge of the actors. It reminds me of watching older Italian horror movies in which fog was used to hide the cheap sets. The film may have been shot on 35 mm or if it wasn't a filter was used to invoke grain. This gives the movie a dreamy quality that disavows realism. The movie feels like this kind of movie should despite being made in 2020 and not 1985. Unfortunately, it takes too long too for the Scarecrow to get there with little nudity or other intrigue along the way. The little sister character is amusing yet insufficient to keep us involved especially for the scant 71 minute runtime. If you enjoy killer scarecrow movies, this is a better one.