One of the reasons Creepshow has been able to remain a fan favorite for decades is its ability to combine horror with a macabre sense of humor. It terrifies its audience while also making them laugh. The first segment in the latest episode is a great example. “Stranger Sings” is scary, funny, cute, and exemplifies everything the franchise is about.
Barry (Chris Mayers) is single, awkward, and lonely. When he meets a woman named Sarah (Suehyla El-Attar), the two have a sweet, if uncomfortable, exchange. They are also able to immediately connect. Things are going much better than Barry could have imagined and when he is unexpectedly invited into her home, things go in a much different direction than he anticipated.
“Stranger Sings” is a fun take on sirens. While it does not make any changes to the actual mythos (it is mentioned just enough to give background to the tale), Creepshow brings more depth to the creatures. There are motivations beyond luring men to their deaths. The story ends up being a dark romantic comedy that even has something of a lesson at the end. It is a fun addition to this season.
“Meter Reader” is much more straightforward with its horror. An argument can even be made that it takes itself too seriously. Creepshow has always had its own distinct charm, none of which can be found here. This is not to say it is bad – it is actually very entertaining – but it is definitely an outlier for the show. There is nothing to laugh about and even the color palette is darker
The short hits very close to home as it takes place in a world that has been ravaged by a plague. Regular tests are needed to see if a person has been infected and there is a divide between religion and medicine. This is about where the similarities end, however. The Devil’s plague is more supernatural in nature and the world has a post apocalyptic look to it. “Meter Reader” has a very familiar look that fans of futuristic wastelands will appreciate. The actual story is all about the suspense and scares. The ending is satisfying and will have fans wanting more stories from this world.
New episodes of Creepshow premiere on Shudder each Thursday
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