The Best and Worst Halloween Movie on Huluween: A Story for the Ages

Every year in October, Hulu and Disney+ celebrate Huluween, featuring a curated selection of films and series tailored for horror enthusiasts. This year’s lineup is impressive, including Ryan Murphy’s chilling new series, Grotesquerie, alongside the fourth season of the well-loved anthology, American Horror Stories. While I relish revisiting iconic horror films like the classic Halloween and the entire Scream series, I also enjoy exploring the latest streaming releases, including a recently added gem to Hulu/Disney+ in honor of this dedicated month of frights.

Following my viewing of the latest five episodes of American Horror Stories, I checked out an engaging new horror flick centered around Halloween, which features an intriguing cast and a refreshingly original antagonist. I believe that this film is a must-watch for every horror lover.

Reasons Why Carved Is A Delightfully Unique and Entertaining Halloween Horror Movie

Carved is an exciting and somewhat cheesy Halloween film focusing on a menacing pumpkin wreaking havoc on children at a historical village in the 1990s. The distinctive killer, an imposing gourd with grotesque vines protruding from its eyes and mouth, sets this movie apart. While Pumpkinhead is another well-known horror figure, Carved offers a fresh take that stands out amidst the typical fright fare available every October. Although the film doesn’t tackle profound themes and can be quite corny at times, this is exactly what makes it an enjoyable, straightforward watch.

The environment in which Carved unfolds adds to its charm. The movie’s premise would likely fall flat if it were set in a location where the protagonists could easily escape. Instead, the characters find themselves in a perilous situation while they are hiding from the pumpkin after performing a play for visitors at the pioneer village. Although setting a horror film on Halloween isn’t a novel concept—consider the classics featuring Jamie Lee Curtis or the Terrifier films—Carved’s backdrop in a historical village offers a nostalgic touch that effectively isolates the characters from the outside world.

Carved: Directed by	Justin Harding
Justin Harding and Cheryl Meyer
Based on	the short film Carved by Justin Harding
Starring	Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Corey Fogelmanis, DJ Qualls, Wyatt Lindner, Jonah Lees, Elvis Nolasco, Carla Jimenez
Release Date	October 21, 2024
Runtime	1 hour 35 minutes

Moreover, I find the characters in Carved quite captivating, especially Kira (Peyton Elizabeth Lee), an aspiring playwright eager to leave her small-town life with her actor boyfriend Cody (Corey Fogelmanis). The story establishes some tension between them early on, particularly when Cody reveals he landed a role on a project and will leave in three weeks. This character development enhances the thrill during the frightening sequences. Kira embodies the intelligent final girl archetype reminiscent of Nancy Thompson (Heather Langenkamp) from A Nightmare On Elm Street and Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) from Scream.

I appreciate Carved for its nostalgic 90s setting, a period rich in horror cinema. Justin Harding, the film’s co-writer and director, shared insights with ABC 7 News about the practical effects utilized in the film, reminiscent of classics like Aliens, Gremlins, and Tremors. Harding expressed:

“The objective was to create a nostalgic 90s monster movie utilizing traditional 90s filming techniques, involving puppetry, reverse photography, and other old-school methods.”

What Other Horror Movies and TV Shows Can You Enjoy During Huluween?

In addition to Carved, there are several other horror films and series available for streaming during Huluween. One notable title is Mr. Crocket, which was released on Hulu/Disney+ on October 11, 2024. Set in 1993, it follows the story of a sinister children’s TV show host who kidnaps kids.

Season 4 of American Horror Stories is also part of Huluween, featuring five standalone episodes titled “Backrooms,””The Thing Under The Bed,””Leprechaun,””Clone,”and “X.”Each episode delves into nightmares and the boundaries of reality, exuding originality.

For those who enjoy humor mixed with their horror, the Family Guy Halloween Special, which was released on Hulu/Disney+ on October 14, 2024, captures the series’ signature dark comedy.

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