Horror Movie: A Novel

“Horror Movie” is a conceptually strong novel, with a compelling story, but fails to deliver in any satisfying way. From the beginning, you understand this is going to be a bleak read, and bleak it was. It was interesting having the script for the film at the centerpiece of this story be featured so heavily, as it didn’t do much for the story, but gave an understanding of what the film they were creating was. The odd setup of time jumps, plus the screenplay, made for a bit of a tough read, feeling like you had to regain your center after every change. At the end of the day, I wasn’t terribly entertained by this one, I found it more of a chore to sit through than anything. This wasn’t what I was anticipating it to be at all, but that’s on me for going in with any sort of expectation. Maybe a future read will change my mind, but this wasn’t certainly was not for me.

I need to start by saying I LOVE the book cover, the red book linings, and how each page is written and styled. I’m not a major fan of screen play style books which is why this isn’t a higher rating for me. But I did like the story telling and loved the ending of the book. I wish it was more horror but eh, overall it was a good book. The ending made up for other parts that it lacked.

I requested a copy of the ARC from the publisher, WILLIAM MORROW, on NetGalley and was approved in exchange for an honest review. All opinions discussed are my own and are subjective to myself as a reader.

Paul Tremblay curates anticipation, fear and suspense in every part of the psychological thriller that is HORROR MOVIE.

This is my first time reading anything written by Paul Tremblay. Crazy, right? He never blipped across my radar until I discovered (and became obsessed with) Stephen Graham Jones. When I saw this title available for request on NetGalley, it seemed like a great opportunity to test the waters with this author - especially since this book's description boasted it was a chilling twist on the "cursed film" trope. (Spoiler alert: it delivered.)

It was as though I was sitting in a coffee shop one afternoon and a fellow sitting at the table next to me leans over to peer at the title of the book I'm reading. Upon seeing it's horror, he says, "Have you seen the trailer for the remake of Horror Movie?" I nod excitedly and he follows it up with, "I'm the original actor who played the Thin Kid." This book is written as though this guy, Thin Kid, is telling his story, with the timeline changing between his memories of thirty years prior, when the original movie was filmed and now, during the current remake.

These recollections and descriptions begin by building anticipation and excitement. The excitement soon leads to confusion and discomfort, tinged with a bit of regret. Soon it's fear you're feeling and dread - but it's too late now, the anticipation has you and you have to see it through.

I really liked some of the characters, even though they weren't very well developed. The majority of the story takes place in the past, when the original movie was being filmed and the main characters were college-aged. At that age, we're all still trying to make sense of life and figure ourselves out - so the choice to leave the characters a bit of a mystery to the reader fit well with the overall enery of the book.

The setting is pretty good, nothing unique, but the effect the setting had on its characters was exceptionally well written. When the past is recounted, a lot of it is the reader being allowed to read the original screenplay for the film. (I've no clue if that's how screenplays are actually written, but the format was a bit weird and took some getting used to.)

Logically, there are a few holes and I was left with a pile of questions - but that's what makes horror so great. It leaves the door open so that when you're laying awake at night, those niggling questions pop back to the forefront and you start to wander down the different "what if" paths.

In closing, I enjoyed my first foray into Paul Tremblay's work and will absolutely be reading more of his titles in the coming weeks!

A full non spoiler discussion regarding my experience with HORROR MOVIE will be coming soon on my BookTube Channel!

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