Trick ‘R Treat, the cult favorite that has won over a dedicated fan base since it’s release to DVD in 2009, is airing on October 28th at the Egyptian Theater in Los Angeles during Beyond-Fest. After the screening, audience members will be able to have a panel talk-back with writer/director Michael Dougherty and several members of the cast.
Can’t make it to LA? Not to worry, the screening will also be streamed–live–on Legendary’s Facebook page. Viewers can converse with each other so long as they are logged into their Facebook or Twitter account; follow #trickrtreatlive for a call out for questions, and your question/comment might get chosen to get read aloud during the Q&A.
Sam, the spirit of Halloween.
Trick ‘R Treat was the directorial debut of Michael Dougherty (co-writer, Superman Returns and X-Men 2) and stars Dylan Baker, Anna Paquin, Leslie Bibb and Brian Cox. Released in 2007, the film earned critical success on the Festival circuit before Warner Bros. and Legendary released it on DVD in 2009. Earning rave reviews and a passionate following, Trick ‘R Treat, as Dougherty says, “grows year by year. It continues to get its legs and grow. The fans have a lot to do with that…dressing up as Sam, or getting Trick ‘R Treat tattoos.”
The movie received a 85% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes; IGN gave it a 8 out of 10, Dread Central a 5 out of 5. Bloody Disgusting gave it a 8 out of 10, who also ranked Trick ‘R Treat ninth in their ‘Top 20 Horror Films of the Decade’ list and said “[Trick ‘R Treat] is so good that its lack of a theatrical release borders on the criminal.”
Production still from Trick ‘r Treat.
Trick ‘R Treat takes place in a small town in Ohio one Halloween night. In four separate, interwoven tales (a la Pulp Fiction) the film follows inhabitants with secrets, inhabitants with strange habits, inhabitants with lots of skeletons in their closets, including: a high school principal struggling to raise his son and get in the occasional serial killing; the college co-ed struggling with peer pressure to lose her virginity; a newly married couple who’s divergent views on Halloween prove tragic; and a group of teens who’s not-so-innocent prank has terrible consequences. Each tale reveals more about the holiday of Halloween–the traditions, the myths and their caretaker, a creepy toddler called Sam.
Dougherty says he “wanted to give Halloween a mascot. Halloween didn’t have that yet and I felt there was something there, waiting to be discovered.”
Why make the spirit of Halloween a small child? “I wanted to keep that careful balance of creepy and cute and innocent about the holiday.” explained Dougherty.
Production Still from Trick ‘R Treat.
Tickets to the screening on October 28th are available on Legendary’s Facebook page ; the movie can be purchased on Amazon.com or iTunes. Remember, even if you can’t be there in person, the event will stream live on Facebook the day of.
UPDATE: Legendary has just announced which members of the film’s cast and crew will be joining director Michael Dougherty at the screening.
All of the key cast members of the cult horror classic will be in attendance for the one night only screening of the movie and subsequent panel, which is slated to close Beyond Fest. Dylan Baker and Brian Cox will headline the even along with Doughertyt. Also slated to attend are Quinn Lord, who played the horror icon Sam in the movie along with Jean-Luc Bilodeau. Moderating the panel will be actor Seth Green (Dads, Robot Chicken). Some surprise guests are also expected to attend the panel!
The screening literally takes place the day before I (Derek) get down to Los Angeles, otherwise I would be there for sure! Tickets for the Trick ‘r Treat screening and panel are available at the Legendary and Trick ‘r Treat official Facebook pages.