Skip to content

DVD Review: CELLAR DWELLER (1988)

Written By:

Ed Fortune
cellar-dweller-review

Cellar Dweller Review

REVIEW: CELLAR DWELLER / CERT: 18 / DIRECTOR: JOHN BUECHLER / SCREENPLAY: DON MANCINI / STARRING: DEBRAH MULLAWNEY, BRIAN ROBBINS, VINCE EDWARDS, JEFFREY COMBS, PAMELA BELLWOOD / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW

There is a certain sort of horror movie that they made in the 1980s that we don’t see as often these days. Softer, sillier ideas tended to be the norm and though there was plenty of terror to be had, the tone was much lighter. Movies like Creepshow proved that they still owed a lot to other types of spooky stories, namely ghost stories and old-fashioned horror comics. Cellar Dweller took this inspiration more literally, being a tale based around comic strip artists.

Our tale begins in the 1950s. Horror comic creator Colin Childress (played by industry legend Jeffrey Combs) is famous for his popular yet scary book, Cellar Dweller. All too late he discovers the ghastly secret behind his success and pays a terrible price for his revelation. Thirty years later, the site of these supernatural shenanigans has been turned into an artist’s colony, filled with all sorts of wacky creative types with interesting hair. The latest addition is Whitney Taylor (Debrah Farentino) a fan of the old Cellar Dweller comic and a master of sequential art in her own right. After a brief confrontation with the lady who runs the facility and some light commentary on art snobbery, the horror begins and a big monster starts eating people.

The acting is just about better than average for an ’80s budget horror movie and the special effects are quite rubbery. There’s some gore, some nudity and a little bit of terror. Experienced horror fans are likely to chuckle and be charmed in equal measure.

The feature clocks in at just 77 minutes long which is the perfect length for a short, schlocky and fun little horror movie. Cellar Dweller was never meant to rock anyone’s world and it’s still as much fun today as it was back in then. It falls short of being a true classic of its kind, mostly due to a goofy-looking monster and flimsy premise. Daft but delightful.

Extras: None

Ed Fortune

You May Also Like...

black widow star scarlett johansson in talks to lead new universal jurassic world film

Scarlett Johansson In Talks To Join JURASSIC WORLD Film

Another MCU star appears to be taking up the reins for Universal’s new Jurassic World movie: two-time Oscar nominee Scarlett Johansson is reportedly in talks to lead the franchise that
Read More

Exclusive Reveal! Titan Comics to Deliver Prehistoric Hysterics in First 2 DUMB DINOS Collection

Titan Comics have exclusively revealed to STARBURST that they’re gearing up to publish the first-ever collection of the hilarious cult digital comic strip 2 Dumb Dinos, and we’re not the
Read More

New Dates For Lovecraftian Key of Dreams

Key of Dreams has announced new spaces for its titular immersive luxury horror event. The critically acclaimed company is known for its overnight experiences that dunk you into a strange
Read More

FAB Café to Host Free Film Screening of New Indie Comedy SECRETS OF A WALLABY BOY

We’re well known for our championing of truly independent filmmakers here at STARBURST, so it’s doubly exciting to be writing about one of our own! After joining the crew in
Read More
colin farrell returns as oswald cobblepot in the penguin series trailer

Colin Farrell Returns In THE PENGUIN Trailer

Colin Farrell returns as Gotham City’s answer to Tony Soprano in the first trailer for Max series The Penguin, which spins out of the world of the 2022 DC film
Read More
michael keaton as beetlejuice in beetlejuice 2 trailer

First Look At Jenna Ortega In BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE Trailer

Almost 40 years down the road, the infamous bio-exorcist finally returns in the first trailer for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, a sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 cult classic film. Jenna Ortega (Wednesday,
Read More