Attack of the Herbals

Attack of the Herbals is an independent horror-comedy film that hails from Scotland. The film is directed by David Keith and it was released in 2011. It became a subject of worldwide attention due to its unique storyline and engaging screenplay. The main actors in the film are Calum Booth, Steve Worsley, and Richard Currie, each delivering a sterling performance that contributes to the overall charm of the movie.

The movie takes its audiences on a roller-coaster ride, indulging them in an exciting mixture of horror, thriller and comedy genres. The tag line 'They're evil... and they're everywhere!' provides a playful hint at the unusual and thrilling story that crew has managed to create.

Set in a small coastal village in Scotland, the plot centers on the lives of two lifelong friends Jackson and Benny. Jackson, played by Calum Booth, and Benny, portrayed by Steve Worsley, are unemployed and desperately in need of money. When they stumble upon an old World War II crate at the beach, they decide to create a home business with its contents. The crate, hidden away by the Germans during the war, contains herbal tea of a mysterious breed.

Jackson and Benny, in an attempt to solve their financial troubles, start selling the tea to their townsfolk. Unbeknownst to them, the herbal tea that they're selling has some unique and alarming properties. Consuming the tea results in situational irony that see the small Scottish village inhabitants experience unforeseen effects. The film takes its horror-comedy tagline to a new level as the village's relaxed tea drinkers begin to exhibit peculiar and erratic behaviour.

Richard Currie who portrays Reverend Rennie, a village priest, excels in his role by adding both to the funny and horror aspect of the film. The blend of humor and horror keeps the viewer entertained and on edge throughout the running time of the film.

The narrative of Attack of the Herbals, although inherently absurd in its premise, is treated with unforgettable character moments and hilarious set pieces. The banality of the setting and commonality of its characters are in stark contrast to the outlandish, yet humorous, plot line. The humour of the film can be noted in its parody of rural life and the cultural skewing of the Scottish idiosyncrasies.

Yet, amidst these comic beats, there is a definite echo of horror that underlies the surface. The visual effects are interesting to behold and give the viewers a charmingly creepy experience. The psychedelic consequences of the herbal tea consumption generate a thrilling suspense, sprinkled with laughs, making for a unique watch.

The soundtrack of the film further complements both the terrifying and humorous nature of the movie. Direction, screenplay and cinematography work in harmony to create captivating and genuinely scary scenes mixed with amusing ones, which keep viewers engaged.

Calum Booth and Steve Worsley in their respective roles are brilliant, presenting characters that are believable and relatable. Richard Currie's performance adds a quintessential touch, and the camaraderie between the characters brings out an engaging layer to the story.

Overall, Attack of the Herbals is a fun-filled, energetic horror-comedy that combines an outrageous narrative with a dose of Scottish charm. The film does well to balance its bizarre premise with relatable characters, and tangible horror with laugh-out-loud comedic moments, all set against the quiet hamlet backdrop. For those seeking something a little different in their horror-comedy mix, Attack of the Herbals is well worth exploring. Its originality, coupled with an unforgettable storyline and interesting performances, firmly puts it in the category of cult cinema that manages to entertain and amuse in equal measure. It's an enchanting blend of comedy, thrill, suspense and horror that is not commonly seen, thus making it a must-watch.