Panic Fest Review: ‘When the Screaming Starts’ Goes for the Laughs and the Jugular
An award-winning documentarian, sets off on his latest controversial project, a serial killer documentary. However, in When the Screaming Starts, this serial killer hasn’t precisely killed anyone yet. The new mockumentary horror-comedy showing at Panic Fest 2022, takes the audience on a ride as this “would-be killer” begins his journey to infamy.
Directed by Conor Boru, in his feature film debut, and co-written by Boru and Ed Hartland, who also stars in the film. Featuring Kaitlin Reynell, Jared Rogers, Vår Haugholt & Ronja Haugholt, Octavia Gilmore, Yasen Atour, and Kavé Niku.
Aidan Mendle (Hartland) is an aspiring serial killer who can be found watching horror movies and reciting Poe in a raven mask when he’s not tearing tickets at the local cinema. His girlfriend Clair (Kaitlin Reynell) is a stone-faced murder enthusiast who makes scrapbooks with pictures of dead people she’s taken, and she’s saving the final pages for Aidan’s kills. Looking to get his career back on track, filmmaker Norman Graysmith (Rogers) decides to accompany the pair as they set off to build a body count and document the whole ordeal.
When his first attempt goes horribly wrong, leaving him unconscious in the back of a car at the hands of his would-be victim, he devises a new plan. Aidan will create the new “Manson Family” and be the modern-day Charles Manson (but without the racism). Holding auditions to find the perfect menagerie of disciples, these interviews bring a variety of applicants including a social media influencer, retiree, food critic, sociopathic twins, and a butcher. Finally, we meet Amy (Gilmore), a psychotic kidnapping arsonist who has her own agenda.
They begin their training with his ‘family’ in place and a new headquarters set up. Now ready for the real thing, the reality of what they’re about to do sets in. There is a tonal shift from the comedic first half, which turns deadly serious when the savagery of the slaying becomes all too real. When the group dynamic changes as a new leader emerges, Graysmith decides he will stop at nothing to finish his film.
When the Screaming Starts shares elements from such titles as Behind the Mask and What We Do in the Shadows; however, it is entirely its own vibe. The earlier half of the movie will have you laughing out loud as we get to know our subjects. While the latter half goes much darker when the story turns. Tonally it captures the mindset of the fictional documentary and its subjects before and after blood is spilled. Both are equally engaging, and the change is organic in its metamorphosis.
The ensemble in When the Screaming Starts, is spot on. Ed Hartland is perfect as the bumbling wanna-be killer, who obsesses over taking lives, but his eyes are bigger than his stomach, so to speak. Jared Rodgers as Graysmith does a fantastic job going from behind the scenes to being the subject of his own project. His turn is so frightening that you wonder what other secrets he’s hiding.
Kavé Niku as Masoud, a yoga enthusiast who entered the wrong studio, and due to not speaking English, gets stuck with this band of misfits. He steals every scene effortlessly. Octavia Gilmore is having a blast playing the unhinged psychopath Amy. Her casual transformation from a sarcastic party girl to an unrelenting killer is terrifying and alluring, as she switches back and forth with too much ease. The whole cast is hysterical and plays their characters with such earnestness.
When the Screaming Starts introduces an interesting commentary on the idolization of serial killers. Also exploring the need to document one’s daily routines, that we’ve all come to groan at since the age of social media. Sensationalizing the act of murder itself without thinking of the ramifications can be a metaphor for many of today’s viral videos that have people asking “why?” It’s the need for fame no matter the cost, and as stated in the movie: “no one remembers the victims, only the killer.”
Blending laugh-out-loud humor with darker sensibilities, When the Screaming Starts is bound to be a genre favorite for wider audiences. With homages to American Werewolf in London and Psycho, it’s clear these filmmakers have a great understanding of the genre. The film is violent, without being gratuitous, with twists and turns to keep your eyes glued. With brilliant British actors, humor, and an ensemble that each gets their moment to shine. Director Conor Boru has crafted a debut that comes out of the gate swinging. I’ll be watching his career with anticipation to see what he unleashes on us next. 4.5/5
You can check out the trailer for When the Screaming Starts below. Stay Tuned to ScaryNerd for more of all things horror, sci-fi, fantasy and more.
About Post Author
K.B. O’Neil is an artist, writer and musician living in Cincinnati, Ohio. He loves movies, books, video games, snuggling his two pups and all things Horror. When not working he can be found getting into adventures with his wife and their new daughter.
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