#FANTASIA: “THE MORTUARY COLLECTION”

By Amanda Gilmore

While interviewing for a job at Raven’s End Mortuary, Sam (Caitlin Custer) asks mortician Montgomery (Clancy Brown) to tell her his scariest stories. What Sam and the audience get in return is a delightful concoction of supernatural, comedic, and grim short stories that all weave into the central narrative.

Ryan Spindell’s The Mortuary Collection gives us Goosebumps vibes but with macabre adult themes and lessons. “No evil deed goes unpunished,” is the motif throughout Montgomery’s stories and the linear narrative. Yet, Spindell masters the art of lacing humour in the cruellest aspects of characters and darkest moments of scenes. What we’re left with is an entertaining nostalgic ride through the ’50s-’80s with equal parts fright and delight. More importantly, Spindell makes us think, long after the credits roll, about the ripples effects our actions have. Brown is aces as the mysterious Montgomery and Custer gives a captivating performance as the suspicious Sam. The collection of stories are cast perfectly with memorable performances from Jacob Elordi, Ema Horvath, Barak Hardley, Christine Kilmer, and more.

The Mortuary Collection will be available on-demand for Fantasia Fest Aug 20 – Sept 2.