REVIEW: “Night of the Harvest” (2024)

As a seasoned cinephile who spent countless Saturdays in the hallowed halls of video stores, feasting my eyes on the treasure trove of B-movie horrors that lined the shelves, I can confidently say that “Night of the Harvest” is a modern gem that would fit snugly among those VHS relics. This low-budget, passion project from Christopher M. Carter and Jessica Morgan harkens back to the days when creativity outweighed budget constraints, and every penny was accounted for on screen.


It’s quite likely I’ve reminisced about my cherished memories from the video rental era before. Every Saturday, I used to go to the video store with my parents and rent four or five VHS tapes for our weekend viewing. On countless trips to the video store, I must have spent hours exploring the horror section. It was filled with affordable B-movies that I just couldn’t get enough of.

The latest film titled “Night of the Harvest” falls into the category of slasher films, much like those you’d find on old video store shelves (this isn’t meant as a criticism). It’s clear that it was produced with limited resources and a small team, some of whom are both in front of and behind the camera. This type of production can be challenging to critique because of its apparent constraints. However, you can’t help but admire the dedicated filmmakers who strive to make each dollar they spend worthwhile.

REVIEW: “Night of the Harvest” (2024)

The movie titled “Night of the Harvest” is the work of co-directors Christopher M. Carter and Jessica Morgan. Carter penned the script based on a story he created with Morgan. Notably, Morgan appears in the film alongside Brittany Isabell, and they all serve as producers. Carter was responsible for the cinematography, while Isbell oversaw stunt choreography. Essentially, this is a compact team taking on multiple roles.

A year ago, Isabell Madison narrowly escaped a terrible murder attempt. She’s still struggling with the aftermath of that traumatic event and has recently moved in with her caring older sister, Morgan Audrey. On Halloween night, October 31st, Audrey and her friends prepare for their annual get-together. Believing it would be beneficial for her sister, Audrey persuades Madison to join them.

At the gathering, you’ll find Audrey’s boyfriend Dane (Jim Cirner), his outgoing friend Will (Aeric Azana), the lively Joyce (Autumn Gubersky), and the cheerful duo Riley (Taylor Falshaw) and Jacob (Ashton Jordaan Ruiz). However, the festive atmosphere of Halloween soon turns grim as a maniac with an axe and a terrifying scarecrow mask begins mercilessly attacking the group of friends who enjoy celebrating Halloween.

REVIEW: “Night of the Harvest” (2024)

Up until now, everything seems typical – a masked killer, helpless victims, and brutal murders. Yet, Carter and Morgan swiftly introduce an unexpected twist to keep things interesting. I won’t reveal it, but it’s a surprising change that brings a playful aspect to the story and gives “Night of the Harvest” a chilling touch, helping the movie deviate from the usual slasher film trajectory.

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I must confess that “Night of the Harvest” didn’t quite hit the mark for me. The concept of an ancient evil demanding a gruesome tribute is intriguing, but it feels more like a comical twist than a heart-pounding horror element. The chilling atmosphere that was intended seems to have been lost along the way.

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2024-09-24 16:56