★★★★☆
Turn It Up brings together a mashup made in horror movie heaven, combining elements from multiple subgenres and styles to create something that may not be entirely original, but is undeniably entertaining. Rather than relying on a single horror identity, the film fires on multiple cylinders at once, blending influences into a cohesive and highly enjoyable package.
Sam “Samuel” Scott makes his directorial debut with a horror-comedy clearly inspired by a slew of films that came before it. The result is a genre-bending experience that channels the energy of cult classics while carving out its own identity.
There are clear influences from films like Green Room, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, and The Cabin in the Woods, though not always in the ways one might expect.
The core premise feels most reminiscent of Green Room. A struggling band takes a hole-in-the-wall gig, only for events to spiral wildly out of control. Yet rather than embracing the dark, gritty realism that defined Jeremy Saulnier’s film, Scott takes the opposite approach. He leans into the absurdity, embracing the lighter side of horror while never allowing the film to become consumed by it.
“The film thrives in that middle ground, embracing tongue-in-cheek horror without fully becoming a parody.”
The film thrives in that middle ground. It creates a world where some characters feel as though they stepped out of a genre B-movie while others remain grounded enough to keep the stakes intact. The result is a horror-comedy that never takes itself too seriously, yet is executed with enough confidence and precision to make every beat land.
Scott’s vision is evident throughout. He crafts a supernatural horror story filled with B-movie sensibilities but elevates the material through crisp execution and a surprisingly refined visual style.
The two detectives at the center of the mystery are written with a heavily satirical edge, evoking the manipulative overseers from The Cabin in the Woods. They are intentionally exaggerated figures, but Scott wisely surrounds them with characters who serve as grounding forces. The contrast creates a yin-and-yang dynamic that helps balance the screenplay and keeps the film from drifting too far into self-parody.
As a director, Scott rarely misses a beat. He skillfully weaves together characters, visual gags, horror set pieces, and supernatural elements into a film that feels remarkably cohesive despite the number of influences at play.
“His approach to visual storytelling is ultimately what separates Turn It Up from many of its contemporaries and is a major reason the film works as well as it does.”
Drawing clear inspiration from Edgar Wright and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Scott incorporates selective on-screen subtitles, comic-inspired visual flourishes, and split-screen compositions that mimic the look and rhythm of comic-book panels. These techniques inject energy into the film and give it a distinct personality without feeling derivative.
Anne Douris’ visual effects further strengthen the experience, particularly during sequences involving the supernatural powers connected to the music itself. The effects are stylish without becoming overwhelming, enhancing the film’s identity while remaining in service of the story.
Paired with Kenny MacLaughlin’s cinematography, every shot feels purposeful and carefully constructed. The framing consistently guides the audience’s attention while Douris’ effects complement the imagery rather than compete with it. Together, they create a visual language that helps elevate the film above many of its genre counterparts.
Adrian Ellis’ score is equally important to the film’s success. Given that music serves as the foundation of the narrative, the score needed to strike a delicate balance. Ellis succeeds, embracing the horror elements while maintaining the musical energy that drives the story forward. The result is a soundtrack that feels integral rather than supplementary.
While the characters are not particularly complex or deeply layered, they do not need to be. Every performer understands their role and executes it effectively. The cast’s chemistry allows each character’s defining traits to bounce off one another naturally, creating an ensemble that remains entertaining throughout.
“Sam ‘Samuel’ Scott’s Turn It Up takes pieces of beloved cult films, stitches them together, and creates a cinematic Frankenstein’s monster that somehow develops a personality all its own.”
Turn It Up does not reinvent the wheel. Instead, it embraces the influences that inspired it and combines them into something uniquely entertaining. Sam “Samuel” Scott has crafted a horror-comedy that understands exactly what it wants to be, delivering a supernatural crowd-pleaser filled with energy, style, and enough cult-film DNA to leave audiences wanting an encore.
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