Horror Inc is hilarious, scathing, and instantly memorable. In just over 3 minutes, writer-director Craig Layton manages to mock slasher tropes and poke a stick at the performative activism of modern protest culture, all without wasting a single beat. It begins like many horror films we have seen before: a terrified girl sprints through the woods as a masked man charges after her with a chainsaw.
But just as you’re bracing for the inevitable bloodbath, she stumbles into a line of forest protestors holding signs. One reads, “Make Our Forests Murder Free.” You would think she’s safe, but she is not. The protestors refuse to help. Not out of fear, but because their protest is peaceful and getting involved would disrupt their message. While they hold their ground, proudly neutral, the killer sets up a livestream and waves to his viewers. The performative smiles never drop. The chants don’t stop. And the signs might as well be blank.
“…a terrified girl sprints through the woods as a masked man charges after her…”
Horror Inc makes its point fast and viciously. Layton targets a type of well-meaning complacency that values appearance over action. It’s not preachy. It’s punchy. The joke lands, and then it turns dark. We laugh because we recognize it, and then we stop laughing because it might not be a joke.
The film looks great, moves quickly, and sticks the landing. Shaylynn McMaster delivers real urgency and terror, which grounds the satire. The editing is sharp, the writing is smart, and the concept is tight. There is not a second wasted.
Horror Inc is quick, clever, and nastier than it looks.
"…quick, clever, and nastier than it looks."
