Shudder's series reboot of Creepshow is horror for our heroes. It is a love letter to the genre, its fans, and the pioneers who gathered this congregation of misfits. Tonally and stylistically, the first episode of the series falls in line with the two films that came before it - and while those films gave us something to love, this sublimely spooky reboot is a passionate reminder as to why we love it.
Episode one kicks things off with "Gray Matter", based on the story by Stephen King. It's only fitting, however, considering all that King has meant to the horror genre and to the Creepshow property itself. The fact that series-producer Greg Nicotero directed this segment is in particularly good taste as well. Over the course of several decades, Nicotero has built a legacy from his impeccable craft, adoration and knowledge of the genre. He shares the same heroes as us, but in many ways, he's become one himself. In a series that celebrates the vision of our heroes, it only seems right that Nicotero receive some of the spotlight.
"Gray Matter" gets Shudder's Creepshow off to an especially strong start as three long-time locals of a small town (Wonderfully played by icons Adrienne Barbeau, Giancarlo Esposito and Tobin Bell) are preparing to brave a hurricane that's heading their way. Hanging out in a convenience store that's been wiped out of all supplies save for dog and cat food, the three are surprised when one of the town's young residents enters the store, terrified by his sick and "changing" father, and not wanting to return home. Doc and Chief (Esposito and Bell) convince the boy to stay put in the store while they venture out into the storm to check on his father, but little do they know that the hurricane isn't the most dangerous thing happening in their town.
Nicotero nails the campiness of Creepshow in this first segment, bringing his impressive signature practical effects work and combining it with the story's dark humor and moments of sheer horror. There are Stephen King Easter eggs littered throughout the segment, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and the cast appropriately nails the campy tone. It's about as strong of a start as Shudder and its subscribers could possibly hope for, and considering some of the writers and directors that are attached to other segments as the series goes along, we have every reason to expect that it gets even better from here.
"The House of the Head" is the second and final segment of Creepshow's premiere episode and there are also several Easter eggs for Creepshow fans to keep their eyes peeled for here. Penned by John Malerman of Netflix's wildly successful Bird Box and directed by frequent George A. Romero collaborator John Harrison, the segment follows a young girl named Evie (The Walking Dead's Cailey Fleming) who receives a beautiful dollhouse from her parents. When a creepy, miniature severed head begins haunting the dollhouse and its residents, Evie curiously monitors the freaky but seemingly harmless dollhouse until things take a sinister turn.
Cailey Fleming, an up-and-coming star who almost single-handedly saved The Walking Dead with her presence alone, is tremendous here as she goes through the motions of a child watching a nightmarish fantasy unfold. Harrison expertly builds tension throughout (Which could've been a complete bust with a dollhouse as its core prop), and "The House of the Head" proves to not only be a worthy follow-up to "Gray Matter", but a promise of freshness in the midst of familiarity by Greg Nicotero and the dynamite collection of creative talent he's assembled.
The first episode of Creepshow is now available to stream, only on Shudder.
Score: 4.25/5
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