Remember the 1981 TV movie Dark Night of the Scarecrow? Even if you answer “no” it won’t matter a bit when you sit down to view Dark Night of the Scarecrow 2 (or maybe it’s Straw Eyes if the extra title card is to be believed), because other than a few passing references to the first film this is a stand alone flick through and through, but more on that in a bit…
Single mom Chris Rhymer (Amber Wedding) and her son Jeremy (Aiden Shurr) arrive smack-dab in the middle of cornfield country to begin life anew. Speaking of life, someone or something is wandering about these rural environs killing folks willy-nilly.
Therein lies the crux of this fright film. Who is committing these murders, and why? Well, in case you are a really shit-lousy guesser, it seems a scarecrow is doing the deed, but why and how?
That is where the movie gets a bit over-complicated for it’s own good. Are whispered confessions the straw demon’s motivating factor? Is it the games played between Chris’ emotionally troubled child Jeremy (Aiden Shurr) and his secret-keepin’ caretaker Mrs. Corvis (Carol Dines)? How will Chris’ mysterious past figure in?
As stated, the original film’s screenwriter J.D. Feigelson returns here, but this time takes the directing reins as well and he (along with cinematographer/co-editor Josh McNally) delivers a nicely filmed production that fills the frames with some solid images that make the absolute most of the Kentucky farmlands and sprawling plains the killer calls home.
There are also some strong performances here with Wedding making for a sympathetic heroine, and Dines absolutely owns her role as the sassy and brassy Corvis, and while this is a creature feature cum slasher flick, the murderous mayhem is kept rather light, with minimal blood (and CG at that) being spilled and a few jump scares here and there, but the over-all mystery makes the entire affair watchable.
As for special features, this Blu-ray release from VCI/MVD Entertainment contains only the film’s trailer (as well as one for the original recipe and a handful of other fright flicks).
All in all, Dark Night of the Scarecrow 2 is a solid enough lil’ supernatural thriller, strong on story and light on gore… and while not having a lot to do with the original, still manages to be a good time nevertheless!
