‘The Funhouse’ Review: Slasher Era Piece from a Legendary Horror Director  

“The Funhouse” has the ingredients needed to be a perfect horror film.

Released in 1981 at the dawn of the slasher sub-genre, it was directed by the legendary Tobe Hooper, his first major studio film after “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” and “Eaten Alive.”

The cast is all unknown talent. They don’t matter anyway, since most won’t be long for the world once the camera roles. Set at an old-world carnival, “The Funhouse,” if anything, demonstrates the superiority of practical effects when it comes to scares.

Party of Five

We follow two couples on a double date.

Amy (Elizabeth Berridge) is our main star. She’s cute, and naive to the pressures of adult relationships i.e. her much older boyfriend Buzz (Cooper Huckabee) wants some coitus.

Amy’s best friend Liz (Largo Woodruff) comes off as the more sexually experienced, offering advice and tips like Phoebe Cates from “Fast Times.” Richie (Miles Chapin) is Liz’ goofy boyfriend. Joey (Shawn Carson) plays Amy’s horror-obsessed little brother who sneaks along on the date.

Perfect Setting

“The Funhouse” opens with credits rolling over creepy carnival animatronics. Dummies, mannequins, whatever the hell they are, are all the types of things one would see at such an event. And they are the types of things that are perfect fodder for nightmares. The budget is so low and the effects so tawdry, it’s far scarier than the polished look of later films.

As far as a plot? Well, there isn’t much of one. The friends (after having sex) run into the carnival workers. Its after hours and there’s no easy way out. Yikes.

Texas Chainsaw Fun House?

As the mayhem begins, you’ll find several striking similarities to Tobe Hooper’s pinnacle piece. I won’t spoil too much, but the antagonists come in the form of a family of cretins that work at the carnival. One of which is socially inept and wears a Frankenstein mask. It’s a bit heavy handed.

“The Funhouse” isn’t afraid to have fun. I wish the creepier elements of dummies and animatronics were more involved. Falling back on the similar themes of a deranged family isn’t as enjoyable. It’s worth checking out on a Saturday night of horror. It proves that practical is way better than CGI.