Horror Movie Review: 10/31 Part 3 (2022)

10/31 Part 3 sticks to the formula set out by the previous two entries, being a collection of horror shorts all based around the spooky season. Once again, Malvolia (Jennifer Nangle) is our host and once again, the anthology has no wrap-around story, but does bring back the horror parody trailers that first appeared in Part 2.

Often the best bits of the 10/31 series, here we get trailers for the likes ‘Eurosleaze’, ‘The Slaughter’, ‘Night of the Halloweenies’ ‘Radio Tower Road’, ‘Candy Killer’, and ‘A Stranger’s Treat’.

They’re a lot of fun to watch, and you’ll want to see more of them, especially when 10/31 Part 3 first segment is so lacklustre.

Called ‘House of the Mummy’ and coming from Michael Ballif, it introduces the character of Wes (James Morris) who really wants to turn his house into a huge Halloween scare attraction. Partially, because he has nothing better to do, and partially to piss off his soon to be ex-wife, Katelin (Emily Ashby).

While hunting around for more props, he comes across a thrift store and meets the odd owner, who sells him a life-size mummy but gives him a warning about what might happen come midnight.

It’s predictably standard stuff, kind of like an adult version of a Goosebumps episode, where the only memorable thing is the barbs that Wes and Katelin throw at each other, and some of the gore.

Jacob Perrett looks to the world of slashers and Giallos with the next segment, ‘The Locksmith’. A couple have just bought a new house, but it already has an occupant that doesn’t take kindly to intruders.

Some inventive kills and gory visuals makes this a memorable watch.

One of the more erratic and exciting entries then follows that as a group of kids decide to prank ‘Old Man Gross’ and will seriously come to regret it. Directed by Brad Twigg, this segment is all over the place, but it’s a lot of fun because of that and because it is very liberal when it comes to blood and guts. This is one that has real grindhouse feel to it.

Finally, because 10/31 Part 3 is the shortest entry to date, it wraps up with one final story called ‘Hack-in-the-Box‘ that also happens to be the shortest segment of this film. More of an advert for an evil Jack in the Box, it comes from Zane Hershberger, but has some impressive effects that will delight horror fans.

10/31 Part 3 is another solid entry in the world of anthology horror, but it’s shame to see it play it so safe. There’s nothing outstanding here, nor is there anything that’s particularly bad, it would have been nice to see it be more adventurous, but it does stick to the overall formula by being a perfectly fine watch. This, and the films that came before it, will satisfy any cravings that Halloween ghouls have.