Cases involving people going missing have increased sixfold in the past 25 years. It is said that at least 100,000 people a year go missing in New York City. Most missing person’s cases are the results of accidental death, suicides, kidnappings and murders. In most cases they are solved within days; however there is always that chance that they will never be found.
A “Stag Night” for those who do not know is a ritual that many Indian tribes used. When a young man wanted to marry a chief or other tribesmen’s daughter, he would be sent out into the wild alone. He would have to survive a battle with a Stag (wild male Deer), kill it, and bring it back to his soon to be bride’s father. In which case the father would award his approval and the young man would be allowed to marry his daughter.
In this film; Stag Night, a bachelor party from hell is about to take place. The four men celebrating the affair follow two strippers onto a subway train late at night. After one of them begins to hassle one of the ladies, the train comes to a sudden stop, as the conductor waits for a signal change. A fight ensues between the two ladies and the men that spills out of the subway and into an abandon underground station. Unable to make their way out into the city streets; four of them agree to walk the tracks to the nearest station to get some help, however what they will find is more than they bargained for when they spot three men killing a police officer. They soon learn that the subways are inhabited by a group of cannibal homeless men, which kill and feed on any unsuspected people that make their way into the cities tunnels and sewer systems. In order to survive the night, they must find a way out or become their killer’s next meal.
Stag Night is a film that is enjoyable but has its ups and downs. There is a lot I really liked about the film, and some stuff that I really did not like. First, the idea for the film was great. I like the whole cannibals in a subway thing. Living in New York you hear the stories of the homeless underground cities in old subway stations now buried deep under ground in the bedrock, you also hear stories of alligators and giant killer rats living in the subway and sewers systems also. These stories make NYC look more mysterious than the city already is. Films such as this one give life to those urban legends. The problem with the script is that it takes to many unrealistic liberties with the story. There is a scene in the beginning when a patrol officer is killed by the cannibals, as the leads watch on. In real life, when the officer did not call in to his post after his patrol, that place would have been swarming with police that would have followed the evidence right into the subway system. There is also this repetitive running around in circles. If you knew there were people trying to kill you, wouldn’t you just keep running down those tracks until you found an open Subway station? I know I would. But in the case of the characters in this film they get distracted by the sounds of a television set. A TV set that happens to be in a makeshift underground trailer surrounded by a wild pack of dogs. Gee folks, don’t you think that would be where the killers live. Let’s see if they have a phone. Basically, if you’re going to watch this film, throw any kind of common sense out the window and enjoy it for what it’s worth.
On the up side, Stag Night has some good old fashion horror elements to it. The set design and locations work well, and the make-up and visual effects work well in this film. There is plenty of gore to go around. The acting is decent, as well as the directing. There are some scenes that are too dark and better lighting would have accommodated the picture better. The film has some good production value which makes it worth watching; and there are some heart breaking, as well as heart reaching scenes that are sure to keep you interested.
The DVD has a few features which include The Making of Stag Night, a trailer gallery and English and Spanish subtitles. It’s not much, but the film itself is the main star on this DVD, like it or not, the film holds up a lot better than 90% of all the independent horror films that litter the DVD market.
Overall, Stag Night is a film that tries to be a serious horror film, it is gory and even some times scary, but small details in the story and plot make it a bit to unrealistic for my liking. If I see anyone killing another human being in the subway of New York, I’m running like hell and I’m not stopping until I hear the sounds of horns from the cabs on the streets and the sirens of the police cars. Stag Night is a film that you have to put reality on the side and just except that fact that the characters in this film are poor decision makers. If you can do that, you’ll have a blast with this film. It has all the elements a good independent horror film should, but like I warned you, you’ll be screaming at your television screen for the brainless character to run the other way.
– Horror Bob
- Interview with J.R. Bookwalter - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Andrew J. Rausch - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Rick Popko and Dan West - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Director Stevan Mena (Malevolence) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Screenwriter Jeffery Reddick (Day of the Dead 2007) - January 22, 2015
- Teleconference interview with Mick Garris (Masters of Horror) - January 22, 2015
- A Day at the Morgue with Corri English (Unrest) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Writer/Director Nacho Cerda (The Abandoned, Aftermath) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actress Thora Birch (Dark Corners, The Hole, American Beauty) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actor Jason Behr, Plus Skinwalkers Press Coverage - January 22, 2015
