The Mangler Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A demonic laundry press really just wants a hug, but it expresses itself through aggressive fabric folding…of people.

🍿 The Mangler: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Accident at the Laundry

In a grimy, old laundry factory, an accident occurs involving the titular folding machine, known as ‘The Mangler.’ A worker is gruesomely pulled into the machine, setting off an investigation. The scene establishes a bleak, industrial atmosphere and introduces the key characters.

Detective Hunton’s Investigation

Detective John Hunton, already struggling with personal demons, is assigned to investigate the incident. He uncovers a series of strange occurrences and growing evidence suggesting the machine is not simply malfunctioning but something far more sinister. The film highlights the town’s dependence on the factory, hinting at a deeper conspiracy.

Occult Connection

Hunton’s brother-in-law, Mark Jackson, an occult enthusiast, suggests the machine may be possessed. Their investigation leads them to the laundry’s owner, Bill Gartley, a cruel and physically deformed man who seems to know more than he reveals. The film explores themes of industrial exploitation and hidden secrets.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• John Hunton (Ted Levine): A pill-popping detective investigates a series of gruesome accidents at a local laundry, uncovering a supernatural conspiracy.
• Bill Gartley (Robert Englund): The cruel and disabled owner of the Blue Ribbon Laundry, who may be involved in the sinister events surrounding the Mangler.
• Mark Jackson (Daniel Matmor): Hunton’s brother-in-law and an occult enthusiast who assists in uncovering the supernatural origins of the Mangler.
• Mrs. Frawley (Vera Blacker): An elderly worker at the laundry who becomes the first victim of the possessed folding machine.
• Sherry Ouelette (Vanessa Pike): A young worker at the laundry, related to Gartley, who becomes a target in the unfolding supernatural events.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Mark Jackson: “Belladonna? You got these from Mrs. Frawley?” – Mark realizes the antacids Officer Hunton is taking contain a poisonous substance potentially contributing to the evil influencing the machine.
• Mark Jackson: “I think… we may be fucked.” – Mark says this after finding that Mrs. Frawley’s pills contain Belladonna.
• Officer John Hunton: “The Hand of Glory?” – Hunton is unfamiliar with the occult terms Mark is using to explain the evil behind the machine.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $9 million
• Domestic Gross: $1.78 million
• Worldwide Gross: $1.78 million

💥 The Mangler Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘The Mangler’ isn’t winning any awards for cinematic brilliance, but I kind of loved it! It’s so over-the-top ridiculous, especially Robert Englund’s performance, that I couldn’t help but be entertained. I was laughing when the machine comes to life and chases after the characters. Yeah, the gore is cheesy, but that’s part of the charm, right? Don’t go in expecting high art, just embrace the absurdity!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Stephen King adaptations”
  • “Admirers of Tobe Hooper’s unique style”
  • “Viewers who appreciate B-movies with practical effects”
  • “Those interested in horror films with a dark, industrial setting”
  • “Collectors of cult films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence and gore”
  • “Thematic elements of demonic possession and industrial exploitation”
  • “Disturbing imagery”
  • “Brief language”
  • “Implied sexual content”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Tobe Hooper’s ‘The Mangler’ is a perplexing, gory mess that struggles to justify its runtime. Robert Englund’s performance is over-the-top, but it can’t save the film from its nonsensical plot and poorly executed scares.
• AllMovie: “While ‘The Mangler’ has moments of gruesome fun, the film ultimately fails to deliver a coherent narrative. The special effects are campy and the plot is ludicrous, making it a cult curiosity rather than a genuinely scary horror film.
• FilmSnobReviews: “The Mangler is campy in a way that comes across as more boring than funny. Its hard to believe this came from the director of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Audience Reactions

Robert Englund’s ridiculously over-the-top performance is hilariously memorable.: Fans appreciate the film’s campy, so-bad-it’s-good quality.

The special effects are delightfully cheesy and add to the overall absurdity.: Some viewers found the premise ridiculous and unintentionally funny.

Overall Consensus: ‘The Mangler’ is a campy horror film with a nonsensical plot, over-the-top performances, and cheesy special effects, making it a so-bad-it’s-good experience for some viewers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Jim Cummings, known for voicing Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, provided the vocal effects for The Mangler. He later regretted the strain the noises put on his throat.”
• “Tobe Hooper wanted to make a comedy for decades, and some critics interpret ‘The Mangler’ as a darkly humorous allegory of capitalism, though it wasn’t widely received that way.”
• “The film was initially targeted for a wide theatrical release but only got a limited one before heading off to video world in 1995.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Mangler?

The Mangler is currently available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your preferred streaming service for availability. Physical copies (DVD and Blu-ray) can also be purchased through online retailers like Amazon and at most major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Mangler, you might like these similar films:

• Maximum Overdrive (1986): Stephen King directed film about machines coming alive and turning homicidal.
• Christine (1983): Features a possessed vehicle with a deadly mind of its own.
• The Texas Chain Saw Massacre 2 (1986): Also directed by Tobe Hooper with the same extreme gore and dark humor.
• Office Space (1999): Darkly comedic take on the frustrations and absurdities of corporate work, albeit without the supernatural horror.

🛒 The Mangler Related Products

• Stephen King’s Night Shift: The short story collection that includes ‘The Mangler,’ offering the original story in its chilling, compact form.
• Industrial Laundry Machine Model Kit: A detailed model kit to construct your own miniature ‘Mangler,’ perfect for horror enthusiasts and model builders.
• Mangler-Inspired T-Shirt: A custom-designed t-shirt featuring the menacing laundry machine and a memorable quote from the movie.
• Texas Chainsaw Massacre (Blu-ray): Explore other classics from Tobe Hooper.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Main Title” – performed by Barrington Pheloung
• “Accident at Laundry” – performed by Barrington Pheloung

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

THE MANGLER (1995) Revisited – Horror Movie Review – Tobe Hooper

Ever wonder if ‘The Mangler’ is actually good or just so bad it’s good? This review dives deep into why some people (including the reviewer!) actually appreciate this crazy King adaptation. You might be surprised!

Stephen King is the Master of Modern Horror – Bio

Want to understand where the weirdness of ‘The Mangler’ comes from? This biography of Stephen King breaks down his life and influences, showing you how he became the master of horror we know and love. It’s a fascinating look into the mind behind the machine… literally, in this case!

The secret to Stephen King’s success

So, what’s the secret sauce that makes Stephen King so popular? This video breaks down the elements that make his stories so captivating, even the ones as bonkers as ‘The Mangler.’ Definitely worth a watch if you’re curious about King’s enduring appeal!

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