Stirring A.K.A. Mrs. Claus: Written Review

Stirring A.K.A. Mrs. Claus

Written Review

Hi everyone and welcome to MyIndie Review Vlog, the show that gives you spoiler-free reviews of indie films. My name is Asaf Angel from MyIndie Productions.

Today’s review is of 2018’s Horror feature, Stirring a.k.a. Mrs. Claus, written and directed by U.S. indie filmmaker and MyIndie featured artist, Troy Escamilla.

After this review, we will be two for two with Troy’s films, having reviewed Troy’s debut feature Party Night in Episode 17 of the show. Thank you, Troy, for sharing yet another film with us.

Danielle, portrayed by Hailey J Strader, is a young girl during her Freshman year of college. She pledges to Delta-Sigma-Sigma Sorority, to the dismay of the people close to her, since her sister Amber, played by Kaylee Williams, was viciously murdered in the sorority house ten years prior.

It is now Christmas time again, around the tenth anniversary of the house’s grisly past. Danielle and her boyfriend Kyle, played by Billy Brannigan, along with a bunch of other kids are having a Christmas party, while reports come in that one of their sorority girls, Sophie, played by Daiane Azura, failed to make it home for the holidays and her whereabouts are currently unknown.

As the evening progresses, the kids find themselves ridiculously unprepared for what lies in store for them as a relentless killer, begins to take them down one by one in a ‘gorrific’, blood-filled manner.

Other than Billy Branigan, you might also recognize Ryan Poole and Drew Shotwell, as the trio also starred in Troy’s Party Night.

Much to the delight of avid horror fans, Mrs. Claus also includes very exciting appearances from legendary scream queens Brinke Stevens and Helene Udy. Fittingly, the film pays respect and plays like a direct homage to the pioneering era of the Slasher sub-genre and in addition to displaying yet further proof of Troy’s enthusiasm and love of horror, it also enriches the viewing experience.

It feels Troy went into this project with the purpose of giving horror fans a fun, gory Christmas-themed horror flick. With that said, there is an interesting layer he tackles within the premise. Troy gives some emphasis to social commentary on bullying as he propels the entire plot from an exposition that deals with the infamous experiences that stigmatize sororities regarding the tough and demeaning initiation hazings the members force upon eager pledges.

The film’s exposition stands on its own completely detached from the fun horror element and presents a serious matter that is sadly a part of the dark side of society, one which has not yet diminished entirely, despite increasing awareness.

Troy plays out a scenario of humiliating a person in public and explores the damaging effects it may have on an unstable psyche in a very extreme and horrific manner. He uses that scenario to propel the entire plot and at the same time, ensures that the exposition itself remains engraved in the viewer’s mind not just because of the gore, but also because of the great controversy it creates.

To sum up, this is yet another fun Slasher flick made with love for all you horror fans out there. It needs to be said that there were elements that seemed a tad off, specifically certain scene structures, but they matter very little as the indie spirit is strong with this one. Production value is well above average, which says a lot! Remember this is only Troy’s SECOND film ever made, and a very short time after Party Night. So the result is quite impressive. Practical and special effects were excellent, and the cinematography was fairly professional.

Stirring A.K.A. Mrs Claus gets a 7/10 on the Look at Me, I’m A Film Critic scale!

The film is out for purchase on DVD and Blu-Ray, as well as VOD streaming, so go check it out and let us know what you think. Links above and one video review page.

It is very inspiring to see how Troy’s increases momentum in his film work. Not slowing down. Not taking a break. So much so he is already pushing through a THIRD feature project. A horror film called Teacher Shortage, which is currently in post-production.

Until next time, keep supporting indie film. My name is Asaf Angel, I thank you for tuning in to MyIndie Review Vlog!