Carnival of Souls

Carnival of Souls, a Rifftrax movie released in 1962, stands tall as a defining classic of American horror cinema, offering a rich tapestry of suspense, eeriness, and intrigue. Set in a small town, the film deliciously weaves its story around psychological thrills, keeping the audiences on the edge of their seats. The movie features a compelling lead performance from Candace Hilligoss, who, along with the stellar support from Frances Feist and Sidney Berger, plunges the audience into an ominous yet fascinating narrative.

The distinctive storyline of Carnival of Souls commences with a car mishap outside a small town, where the protagonist, Mary Henry, portrayed by Candace Hilligoss, becomes the sole survivor. This, however, marks the beginning of her terrifying visions and spiral into a more eerie reality that masterfully blurs the lines between sanity, the supernatural, and subconscious demons. Hilligoss's character, a young and talented organist, moves to another place to take up a job in a church. However, she eventually finds herself caught amidst strange, unexplainable occurrences that assail her relentlessly.

A sudden encounter with a ghoulish figure who has an uncannily weird pallor adds depth to the growing sense of dread. Mary Henry's attempts to understand her haunting visions drive the narrative. Struggling with her grim past and an equally unsettling present, she finds it utterly impossible to distinguish between reality and illusion. Her life becomes an intricate labyrinth of spectral figures behind every corner, and her dreams are filled with attending a surreal, nightmarish carnival that alone could form the plotline of another tension-fuelled thriller.

Frances Feist and Sidney Berger bring their characters to life with their gripping performances. Frances, as Mrs. Thomas, a neighbor concerned about Mary, delivers a remarkable portrayal, raising the mystique of the story. Sidney, on the contrary, acts out a persistent, forward suitor enhancing the complex matrix around Mary. Their interactions enrich the narrative, unveiling a complex web of unearthing truths and struggle for sense.

One of the primary contributors to the film's immense allure is the exotic location of the carnival or an abandoned pavilion, which, despite appearing derelict, suggests a strange life of its own. This saltair pavilion serves as the setting for some of the film's most haunting sequences. Its labyrinthine layout, combined with the ethereal music scores, succeeds in creating an atmosphere teeming with foreboding and suspense.

Director Herk Harvey conjures a stark and bleak atmosphere that pushes the boundaries of werewolf movies and vampire flicks. Erik Barnouw’s genre-transcending screenplay triumphs in creating the rich pathos of its characters, exceptionally delivered by Hilligoss and Berger. The visuals in the movie are a stylish testament to innovative filmmaking, capturing the essence of dread, cold, and desolation. Unsettling music and strategic sound effects work hand in hand with the chilling visuals, evoking disquiet deep within viewers. The technical aspects of the film ensure that the suspense seamlessly marries the atmospheric horror, successfully delivering a spine-chilling cinematic experience.

Carnival of Souls was indeed a groundbreaking film at the time of its release and it encapsulates a disturbing voyage into human psychology. It's not just a horror movie, but a methodical exploration of existential dread and the mysterious realms of subconscious terror. Combining elements of supernatural horror and psychological thriller, the film continues to resonate with audiences and stands as an unparalleled classic in the horror genre.

The Rifftrax variant of the movie adds another layer of entertainment, delivery, and style. Rifftrax is made up of creators from the original Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K) series, who strategically inject commentary to humorous and absurd effect, magnifying the overall amusement of an already outlandish tale. The team’s off-the-cuff wit and humor lend an unconventional charm to the eerie plot, ensuring that the chills come with considerable chuckles.

In sum, Carnival of Souls brings together an eerie narrative, stunning performances, and a remarkable display of classic horror cinema. Drawing a fine line between the palpable and the illusory, it becomes an unadulterated haunted fest. The Rifftrax commentary version adeptly combines deliciously creepy storytelling with a side of laughter, giving audiences a timeless ride of scares and giggles, redefining the cinematic experience one laugh and scream at a time.