“A Carnival of Missed Opportunities: Revisiting Tobe Hooper’s Uneven Cult Slasher”
Tobe Hooper is one of my favorite horror filmmakers of all time. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre isn’t just a masterpiece—it’s a cultural landmark. But not every great director bats a thousand, and The Funhouse (1981) is proof of that.
In my latest review, I dive into this peculiar carnival-set slasher, now considered a cult classic by some, but still a tough sell for me. While the final act brings some much-needed energy and gore, the road there is long, meandering, and far too slow. It’s a film full of missed potential, weighed down by thin characters and a script that stalls for far too long.
That said, The Funhouse is far from worthless. Hooper’s love of old-school horror shows through in nods to Frankenstein, Psycho, Freaks, and more. There’s even an early homage to Halloween. It’s a movie that wants to be both a tribute and a terror ride—but struggles to deliver on either.
You can hear more of my thoughts on The Funhouse in the newest episode of the I Hate Critics Movie Review Podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts. We also upload full episodes to our YouTube channel and post trailers, movie news, and more on Facebook.
Read the full review on Vocal: [Horror.Media]
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Let me know what you think of The Funhouse. Cult classic? Underrated gem? Or a swing and a miss from one of horror’s most important voices?
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