Watch Return to Horror High

Return to Horror High is a comedy slasher film from 1987 that came before the modern horror-comedy trend. Directed by Bill Froehlich and written by Mark Lisson and Dana Escalante, the movie was filmed in the same Californian high school which was used to shoot the original slasher movie, Horror High, released in 1974. This meta-referential horror-comedy film explores the idea of making a horror movie within a horror movie, which was a rare concept at the time of its release.

The story unfolds as a film crew led by a highly energetic and ambitious producer, Harry Sleerik (Alex Rocco), returns to the location of the infamous Crippen High School to shoot a movie about the brutal murders that took place there a few years ago. Their mission is to create a cheesy B-horror movie that recreates the events, luring actors and actresses who are willing to take on the roles of the original victims to satisfy their ambition.

As the crew starts filming, strange things begin to happen around them. Mysterious events, such as doors that close by themselves, bloody footprints that appear without explanation, and eerie noises, make them question if the school is actually haunted by the restless spirits of the victims of the Crippen High Massacre. The movie interweaves flashbacks of the original murders with the present as the crew realizes that the premise of their film is not as fictitious as they thought.

Lori Lethin portrays the lead actress, Callie Cassidy, who is determined to make the role of her career as the victim in the horror movie. Brendan Hughes plays Oliver, a nerdy journalist who has his own agenda and tries to uncover the truth behind the murders. The rest of the cast includes Scott Jacoby as Steven Blake, the original protagonist from the 1974 movie, Maureen McCormick as a ditzy actress, and George Clooney in his third-ever film role as a cop.

Return to Horror High is a movie that adeptly blends comedy and horror as it pokes fun at horror movie tropes, featuring characters who knowingly act with perfect awareness of movie cliches. It employs a non-linear narrative for comedic effect, switching back and forth between the 1974 massacre and the present day film crew's happenings. The movie also has a recurring mockumentary style that adds to the comedic effect. Additionally, Return to Horror High takes a self-aware approach to the genre, also commenting on the true motivations of low-budget horror movies.

The soundtrack for the movie is an excellent fit for its delicious 1980s vibe, with synthesizer sounds and redolent tracks. Overall, the movie balances humor and horror in equal measure, promoting not just murderous hijinks but also interludes of comic relief to great effect.

In conclusion, Return to Horror High is a movie that is both entertaining and innovative. It delivers genuine laughs and scares simultaneously, making it a great addition to any horror-comedy enthusiast's playlist. The movie grossed $1.2 million at the box office, which was not considered a huge success, but has since developed a cult following due to its off-kilter approach to horror-comedy.

Return to Horror High is a 1987 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.3.