Director Michael Su along with Mahal Empire productions have been taking the Horror Nation on a full speed terror train as of late. Night of the Tommyknockers is the third film in 2022 that is being released from this talented team, following the entertaining, Death Count and Bridge of the Doomed. With a stellar cast featuring Richard Grieco (Attack of the Unknown,) Tom Sizemore (Heat,) and Mahal staple, Robert LaSardo (Strangeland,) expectations are sky high for another fantastic fright flick.
It is the wild west of America. Dirt covered roads give way to shanty towns that house saloons, brothels, makeshift jails, and of course, banks. After yet another successful robbery, the famous Dirt Gang sets their sites on a final big payday in Nevada. Their exploits draw the attention of a bounty hunter as well as a victim’s venge filled brother. Once the cast of characters arrive, they quickly realize that something is not right. The allegedly gold rich town of Deer Creek is deserted. The few unsuspecting townsfolk beg the gang to hole up with them in a saloon, after one of their crew is attacked by something resembling a zombie-like monster. These are no zombies, they are Tommyknockers. A local legend of bloodthirsty monsters with lore tied to gold hungry leprechauns. The locals, the gang, and slow arriving bounty hunters must unite or perish under the relentless attack of these cannibalistic creatures.
This production team is making a habit of taking ordinary film troupes and flipping them upside down with terrific non-linear storylines. What seems to play like any other Western, Tommyknockers keeps the audience glued to the plot with ever evolving twist and turns. The set dressers do an amazing job with sets that resemble A-List old wild west films. The entire ensemble gives professional performances with splashes of very well spoken old west lingo. Grieco and Sizemore stick out with spot on performances, with LaSardo stealing all his scenes with a high energy portrayal of the villain Lucky. Su keeps the horror rolling with numerous creature attacks that often come out of nowhere to break up any semblance of monotonous dialogue. The film takes off in the third act as each character goes through unsuspecting arcs that make for an exciting conclusion. Once again, the Mahal team provides the Horror Nation with another great modern take on an old tale.
Scream Score: 8.2/10