31 Nights of Horror GhostHouse

Platform: Peacock

Director: Umberto Lenzi

Release Year: 1988

Watch Date: October 23, 2023

My Rating: 6.5

Hm. This 80s flick was definitely better than the last two. Although what is with the 80s and creepy clown dolls? This film is about a family that is murdered by a creepy clown doll. Well…the parents were murdered, and the little girl dies locked in the basement with the doll. Skip to 20 years later, and Paul and Martha hear a disturbing message over the radio. They investigate with their new-fangled computer and find the signal coming from the house. The same house from 20 years before. On the way, they pick up an annoying hitchhiker, Pepe. In true 80s fashion, this is the token black character made purposely annoying. Sigh.

They meet 4 other kids (siblings Jim, Tina, Mike, and Susan) who are staying in a camper in front of the house. Long story short creepy clown doll and the ghost of the little girl kill three of the siblings (Susan lives) and Pepe. After learning that The little girl’s father was an undertaker and stole the clown doll from a deceased person who wanted it buried with them. He gave it to the little girl as a gift, and the killings started right after.

Paul and Martha find that the doll has been buried with the little girl…who rather disturbingly hasn’t decomposed at all in the 20 years she has been buried. Paul lights the casket and its occupants on fire. This is what saved Susan’s life. I was a little disappointed that Martha stayed with Paul because he was a huge jerk to her. But at the very end of the movie she is waiting for him and sees the creepy clown doll in the window. Paul gets hit by a bus crossing the street.

It wasn’t bad, but I don’t feel the need to watch it again. I like that the storyline was somewhat original. The acting and script were pretty good too.

Photo Credit: imdb.com