I Had a Bloody Good Time at House Harker

A mishmash of comedy, horror, and modern-day Gothic camp, I Had a Bloody Good Time at House Harker, from director Clayton Cogswell, delivers a lighthearted horror romp for fans of the genre with more unconventional tastes. This 2016 independent gem stars Nate Lane, Dylan Fox Williams, and Noel Carroll, who bring to life a group of quirky characters in the sleepy town of Elmhurst, Illinois.

The story commences with the Harker family, descendants of the renowned vampire hunter Abraham Van Helsing. Throughout the years, they have lived in the shadow of their ancestor's legacy, trying, and often failing, to match his triumphant victories against evil. Struggling to live up to the Van Helsing name, the Harkers face scorn and mockery from the bored townsfolk. When the family finds the opportunity to star in a reality television show, their desperation for acceptance and relevance makes them leap at the chance.

However, things spiral out of control when a real vampire lands in their town to wreak havoc and feed. Subsequent events add a fresh twist on the classic vampire versus hunter story by infusing humor, excitement, fear, and a whole lot of blood in a unique mix of madcap fun and campy horror. Now, the Harkers have to save their town from a genuine vampire, a task for which none of their misadventures have prepared them.

Nate Lane plays Wayne Harker, the earnest but wildly incompetent leader of the Harker clan. His character balances an unhinged determination perfectly with a naive charm that makes you root for his well-intended, albeit amateur, attempts at fighting evil. Noel Carroll infuses the character of Gerry, Wayne’s younger brother, with heart, humanizing the Harker legacy even as he seeks his personal path amid all the chaos. Dylan Fox Williams brings teenage angst into the mix with his portrayal of Corey Harker, a skateboarding enthusiast who wants nothing to do with his family's vampire-hunting antics – until he has no choice.

The movie skillfully walks the tightrope of being a B-grade horror flick with a genuinely engaging storyline. The film holds nothing back in terms of gore, slapstick humor, horror tropes, and knowing winks at classics while keeping the momentum going with its own brand of humor and suspense. Throughout, director Clayton Cogswell makes a conscious effort to parody and honor the horror genre films, especially those revolving around vampire lore.

Beyond the vampire-centered chaos, the movie also showcases other elements of a small-town drama, such as constant public scrutiny. It exposes the vulnerability of local celebrities trying to garner respect and admiration but instead becoming a source of amusement for the townsfolk. These nuanced details, laced with a good dose of humor, reflect the film's more considerable comedic depth.

The visuals in I Had a Bloody Good Time at House Harker aptly mirror the tone of the film, mixing the supernatural violence of classic vampire tales with tongue-in-cheek delight. Karil Daniels’ brilliant cinematography borders on the surreal and exaggerates the character's expressions, every detail festooned with snappy dialogues and colorful aesthetics, to achieve an overall comic effect.

Also starring Whitney Moore, Faneal Godbold, and Derek Haugen in vital roles, this film teems with eccentric characters that saturprisingly contribute to the laughs and the gasps, adding to the film's offbeat charm. I Had a Bloody Good Time at House Harker succeeds in unexpectedly pulling at your heartstrings as much as tickling your funny bone.

As a send-up of classic vampire films and a tribute to the horror-comedy genre, I Had a Bloody Good Time at House Harker is sure to delight fans seeking a fresh and hilarious take on horror. Its brand of zany humor and splattering of gore marks it as a movie that genuinely lives up to its title.