Horror Movie
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3.6 • 54 Ratings
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- $19.99
Publisher Description
Instant New York Times bestseller!
A chilling twist on the “cursed film” genre from the bestselling author of The Pallbearers Club and The Cabin at the End of the World.
In June 1993, a group of young guerilla filmmakers spent four weeks making Horror Movie, a notorious, disturbing, art-house horror flick.
The weird part? Only three of the film’s scenes were ever released to the public, but Horror Movie has nevertheless grown a rabid fanbase. Three decades later, Hollywood is pushing for a big budget reboot.
The man who played “The Thin Kid” is the only surviving cast member. He remembers all too well the secrets buried within the original screenplay, the bizarre events of the filming, and the dangerous crossed lines on set that resulted in tragedy. As memories flood back in, the boundaries between reality and film, past and present start to blur. But he’s going to help remake the film, even if it means navigating a world of cynical producers, egomaniacal directors, and surreal fan conventions—demons of the past be damned.
But at what cost?
Horror Movie is an obsessive, psychologically chilling, and suspenseful feat of storytelling genius that builds inexorably to an unforgettable, mind-bending conclusion
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Demonic forces are nothing compared to the horror of trauma and regret in this brilliant take on one of our favorite horror tropes, the cursed film. It’s been 30 years since the unreleased indie slasher film aptly titled Horror Movie became an object of cult obsession. Now that Hollywood wants to remake it, our unnamed narrator—the only surviving member of the original cast (hmm...)—finds himself wading back into his horrifying and long-repressed memories of the production. The novel’s structure splits the narrative into three parts, taking us into the filming of the original movie, the production of the modern reboot, and selections from the screenplay itself. What’s revealed in each is deeply disturbing, not just because of the events that unfold but because of how it feels to be trapped in the narrator’s haunted, increasingly broken mind. A full cast of narrators gives this unique horror tale the cinematic treatment it deserves.
Customer Reviews
Delusional or Reality
Paul Tremblay is a distinctive author known for his unconventional narrative techniques. In his novel 'Horror Movie,' he skillfully oscillates between past and present, providing readers with an immersive experience that delves deeply into the horror movie script. Although the buildup may seem prolonged, the conclusion compellingly leaves readers questioning the reliability of the narrator, blurring the lines between reality and delusion.
Seasonal fun with heavy themes
A Meta-yet-lukewarm romp through the development of (and community surrounding) the horror movie industry, with a psychological twist into method acting and the lust for raw shock & awe. The time-jumping plot device is pretty on-the-nose for its meta theming. The plots slow spiral into “The Thin-Kid”, and his embodying actors trauma-inducing role, was enticing but ultimately cheesy, akin to "Shai Lebouf". I found myself simply replacing the image of our main character with just.. shai lebouf.. (oops, oh well). The daydreaming nature of the main character ended up creating substantial red Heron’s but i guess it doesn't really matter since the twist still got me, although in the opposite direction I assumed the plot was heading.
Good premise, poor execution
Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay had been sitting on my TBR for a while, and the intriguing premise immediately caught my attention. Unfortunately, while the concept is compelling, the execution didn’t quite land for me on this first read.
The narrative alternates between “Now” and “Then” chapters, but the timeline can feel a bit muddled. At times, the distinctions blur—past events are referenced in “Now,” or future developments are teased in “Then”—which made it difficult to stay grounded in the story’s chronology.
That said, this is a book I plan to revisit. With adjusted expectations and a better understanding of the structure, I think I might appreciate the storytelling more the second time around.
The pacing is a definite slow burn. While it takes a while to build momentum, the payoff is worth it—the ending is phenomenal. One element I really enjoyed was the inclusion of script pages from the fictional film within the novel. That creative touch added depth and atmosphere to the narrative.
For now, I’d rate Horror Movie a 3 out of 5. The concept is strong and unique, and I’m curious to see how it hits on a reread.