Quartile rating: 7/10 · 1 rating
In the phantasmagorical town of Raven's End, a misguided young girl takes refuge in a decrepit old mortuary. The eccentric undertaker chronicles the strange history of the town through a series of twisted tales, each more terrifying than the last, but the young girl's world is unhinged when she discovers that the final story... is her own.
The Mortuary Collection is a loving, handcrafted horror anthology that distinguishes itself primarily through its exceptional visual design and cinematography — the mortuary setting, practical effects, and gothic-fairytale aesthetic are genuinely striking and evocative, earning a strong mark. The anthology segments themselves are competent and entertaining but uneven in quality, with some tales feeling more inspired than others; the framing device with the undertaker (Clancy Brown, reliably commanding) elevates the material above genre-average. Acting is solid throughout, anchored by Brown's charismatic performance, though supporting players vary in depth. Novelty is respectable — the film has a distinct visual identity and warm practical-horror sensibility reminiscent of EC Comics and Tales from the Crypt, though the anthology format itself is well-trodden. The ending has a satisfying twist that ties the framing narrative together cleverly, though attentive viewers may see it coming. Overall a well-above-average genre entry whose craft exceeds its narrative ambition.