This dark comedy drama series arrives at an interesting time, in the wake of eighties nostalgia franchises like ‘Stranger Things’ and more recently Tim Burton’s underwhelming sequel, ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’.
Written by Hugh Travers and directed by Christopher Smith and Megan K Fox, it’s steeped in the pop culture of that decade, right down to Mary Whitehouse’s moral crusade, juxtaposed with depictions of female terror within the more extreme genre. The plot is straightforward enough. Irish best mates Billy ( Justin Daniels Anene) and Con (Cal O’Driscoll) are horror film obsessives, and have resorted to stealing money to fund their hobby: collecting seventy two banned videos.
This leads them to run away to England, and into danger, when they become embroiled in a real life murder case. Along for the ride, staging her own teenage rebellion, is Con’s outspoken sister Zoe (Leia Murphy) who is bemused by their fondness for a genre that celebrates such gore and misogyny. Thus, the plot thickens like so much giallo blood.
It’s mostly true to the period, right down to the home perms, casual bigotry and shell suits, but for some odd anachronisms: I don’t recall terms like “fangirl” and “spoiler alert” having any kind of currency in 1985. Still, the intriguing storyline and vibrant young cast make it extremely compelling. And there are jump scares lurking in the shadows too…
Available to watch on BBC Iplayer
Hit The North 