Creepshow Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A kid gets grounded, his comic book comes to life, and then a bunch of people die in really messed up ways, basically serving as karmic justice for being terrible people… or touching space grass.

🍿 Creepshow: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Prologue: Billy and The Creep

The film opens with a young boy named Billy being punished by his abusive father for reading horror comics. The father throws the comic book, titled ‘Creepshow,’ into the trash. That night, outside Billy’s window, the Creep, a skeletal figure, appears and beckons him. The comic book then comes to life, presenting five distinct tales of terror.

“Father’s Day”: A Gruesome Family Reunion

The first segment centers on the wealthy Grantham family and their dark secret. Years ago, Bedelia Grantham murdered her overbearing father on Father’s Day. Now, his vengeful spirit rises from the grave, demanding his Father’s Day cake and exacting bloody retribution on his greedy descendants.

“The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill”: Meteor Mishap

Jordy Verrill, a simple-minded farmer, discovers a meteor on his property. He attempts to cool it with water, causing it to crack open and release a strange, glowing substance. Soon, Jordy finds himself transforming into a grotesque plant-like creature as alien vegetation consumes his body and farm. The segment is a dark comedy, with Stephen King himself playing Jordy Verrill.

“Something to Tide You Over”: Beachfront Vengeance

Richard Vickers, a wealthy and jealous husband, discovers his wife, Becky, is having an affair with Harry Wentworth. Vickers lures both to his beach house, buries them up to their necks in the sand, and leaves them to drown as the tide rises. However, their watery graves cannot contain them, and they return as seaweed-covered zombies to claim revenge.

“The Crate”: A Monster Under the Stairs

A janitor discovers an old crate hidden beneath a staircase at a university. Inside lurks a ferocious, ape-like monster. Professor Henry Northrup, tormented by his abusive wife, Wilma, sees the creature as a convenient solution. He lures Wilma to the crate, where she meets a gruesome end, becoming the monster’s next meal.

“They’re Creeping Up On You!”: Roach Infestation

Upson Pratt, a wealthy and misanthropic businessman, lives in a sterile, high-tech apartment, obsessed with cleanliness and terrified of germs. During a city-wide blackout, his apartment becomes infested with cockroaches. The roaches overwhelm Pratt, triggering a fatal heart attack, and then burst from his corpse, filling his safe room.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Billy (Joe Hill): A young boy who is punished for reading horror comics and uses a voodoo doll for revenge.
• Stan (Tom Atkins): Billy’s stern and tyrannical father who throws away his son’s horror comic book.
• Richard Vickers (Leslie Nielsen): A vengeful and wealthy husband who buries his wife and her lover alive in the sand.
• Upson Pratt (E.G. Marshall): A cruel and germaphobic businessman who meets a gruesome end due to a cockroach infestation.
• Henry Northrup (Hal Holbrook): A mild-mannered professor who uses a mysterious creature to get rid of his obnoxious wife.
• Jordy Verrill (Stephen King): A dimwitted farmer who transforms into a plant-like creature after touching a meteor.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Nathan Grantham: “I want my cake!” – The resurrected patriarch demands his Father’s Day cake as he seeks revenge on his family.
• Jordy Verrill: “Meteor shit!” – Jordy’s exclamation upon realizing the meteorite will likely cause trouble.
• Richard Vickers: “I can hold my breath for a long, long time…!” – Richard’s insane laughter as he is buried in the sand, awaiting his watery doom.
• Wilma Northrup: “Where’s my goddamn Father’s Day cake?” – Wilma sarcastically mocks the tradition of celebrating Father’s Day, foreshadowing her fate.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $8,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $21,028,755
• Worldwide Gross: $21,031,312

💥 Creepshow Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, Creepshow is one of those movies that just stuck with me since I was a kid. The way it blends horror and dark comedy is so unique, and the comic book style is just awesome! I remember being both terrified and laughing hysterically at ‘They’re Creeping Up On You’ – E.G. Marshall’s performance is unforgettable! Also, ‘The Crate’ legit gave me nightmares. It’s so campy and over-the-top, but that’s what makes it so much fun to watch with friends on a dark and stormy night.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of horror anthologies”
  • “Admirers of Stephen King and George A. Romero”
  • “Those who enjoy campy, over-the-top horror”
  • “Viewers interested in practical special effects”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence and gore”
  • “Disturbing imagery”
  • “Thematic elements of abuse and revenge”
  • “Insect infestation (cockroaches)”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Creepshow is a wickedly fun tribute to EC Comics, delivering a series of gruesome tales with a darkly comedic edge. Romero’s direction and Savini’s effects create a wonderfully unsettling atmosphere, even if some stories are stronger than others. The stellar cast elevates the material, making it a must-see for horror anthology fans.
• The New York Times: “While Creepshow may not be the scariest film, it succeeds as a stylish and entertaining homage to classic horror comics. The vibrant visuals and over-the-top performances capture the spirit of the source material, offering a nostalgic and enjoyable experience for genre enthusiasts.
• Roger Ebert: “Creepshow is a mixed bag, with some segments hitting the mark and others falling flat. However, the film’s overall charm and commitment to its comic book aesthetic make it a worthwhile watch for fans of horror and dark humor.

Audience Reactions

The unique comic book style visuals made the movie stand out.: Viewers loved the combination of horror and dark humor, reminiscent of classic EC Comics.

Adrienne Barbeau’s performance in ‘The Crate’ was a favorite, and perfectly obnoxious.: Fans appreciated the campy acting and over-the-top gore effects.

Overall Consensus: Creepshow is a beloved horror anthology celebrated for its comic book aesthetic, dark humor, and memorable characters, although some find it more campy than truly scary.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director George A. Romero and writer Stephen King set out to recapture the spirit of the EC horror comics they loved as children.”
• “The film employs comic book-style panels, vibrant colors, and visual sound effects to mimic the look and feel of classic comic books.”
• “Stephen King himself appears in one of the segments, “The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill.””
• “Tom Savini, known for his special effects makeup, created the gruesome and memorable creature effects for the film.”

🖥️ How to Watch Creepshow?

Creepshow is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it for rent or purchase on services like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for television airings as well, especially around Halloween.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Creepshow, you might like these similar films:

• Tales from the Crypt (1972): An anthology film based on the EC Comics series, sharing the same source material and tone as Creepshow.
• Trick ‘r Treat (2007): A modern horror anthology that captures the spirit of Halloween with interconnected stories and a similar blend of horror and dark humor.
• The Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983): Another horror anthology film from the same era, featuring segments directed by renowned filmmakers.
• V/H/S (2012): A found-footage horror anthology that provides a modern take on the genre, delivering scares through various perspectives.
• From Beyond the Grave (1974): Another classic horror anthology from Amicus Productions, featuring interconnected tales of supernatural revenge.

🛒 Creepshow Related Products

• Creepshow (Collector’s Edition) [Blu-ray]: Limited edition Blu-ray with exclusive artwork, behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews. A must-have for any serious Creepshow fan.
• Creepshow Comic Book Adaptation: A graphic novel adaptation of the Creepshow stories, capturing the visual style and dark humor of the original film.
• Creepshow T-Shirt: Official Creepshow t-shirt featuring iconic imagery from the film, perfect for showing off your love for the horror classic.
• NECA Creepshow – The Creep 8-Inch Clothed Action Figure: From the classic 1982 horror comedy Creepshow comes The Creep! The host of the most horrible comic book ever created is brought to life in action figure form. The Creep stands over 8 inches tall and is fully poseable.

🎧 Soundtrack

Creepshow features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Creepshow Main Title” – performed by John Harrison
• “Father’s Day” – performed by John Harrison
• “The Crate” – performed by John Harrison

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Stephen King’s “The Crate” — Deep Dive into the Story and the CREEPSHOW film

Ever wondered about the origins of that terrifying crate in Creepshow? This video dives deep into Stephen King’s story and the movie adaptation, revealing some cool behind-the-scenes secrets. Honestly, the monster design is way creepier than I imagined!

Fluffy Origin

Curious about the story behind “Fluffy,” the monster from “The Crate”? This video explores its origins and how it ended up in that crate. It’s a pretty wild story, and definitely worth a watch if you’re a Creepshow fan!

✨ Rate