Clinger

Director - Michael Steve (Hello, Cruel World)
Starring - Vincent Martella (The Walking Dead), Jennifer Laporte (The Cold Descent), and Julia Aks (The Meme)
Release Date - 2015
Genre - Horror/Comedy
Tagline - "Nothing is scarier than your first love"
Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I love all horror but I do enjoy other sub-genres more than others.  If something else is available to watch then I will typically skip over the giallo or Italian cannibal flicks but for the most part I love all horror regardless of budget size or subject matter.  Growing up in the late 90s and early 00's I was a fan of the pop horror of the time with the film Dead and Breakfast leading the pack.  I did not develop my love for indie horror until my 20s but I still dabble in pop horror every now and again which I now refer to as Wal-Mart horror.  These are films that you blind buy at Wal-Mart and Best Buy with little to no knowledge of the film other than the artwork looks awesome.  I recently came across a bigger budgeted horror flick on Facebook titled Clinger.  The film looked like a pop horror flick but I was intrigued by the film's synopsis.  It sounded like the perfect Valentine's Day flick so I reached out to them and they were kind enough to let me check it out.

     The film follows track athlete Fern Peterson (Laporte) and sensitive guy with a guitar Robert Klingher (Martella) who meet when Robert rushes to Fern's aid when she falls while running. The two hit it off and before you know it they are both dating, taking selfies, and celebrating weekly anniversaries.  The two really like each other until Robert starts to smother her with attention.  Robert prepares for another weekly anniversary and this time he tries to outdo himself with a contraption that releases balloons.  As he prepares to hit the button to release the balloons she unleashes the bomb that she no longer wants to be with him.  He falls and is beheaded.   She goes through her mourning period and the other students at her school support her during her time of need but she soon finds that Robert never moved on and is still sticking around because he died while in love.  She must now fight off the spirit of her ex-boyfriend and other ghosts lurking the local cemetery who want her dead all while trying to get into college.  

     Most of the pop horror, or Wal-Mart horror, flicks that I have picked up the last few years were mostly unoriginal and boring as hell which is resulted in a mediocre viewing experience.  I was afraid Clinger would be another one of those movie experiences but I could not pass it up due to the amazing posters the film boasted and synopsis.  However, after finally watching the film I am glad I reached out to them because it was fucking amazing.  The acting in this one is top notch.  Vincent Martella did a great job at being the clingy boyfriend at the beginning of the film and switches it up towards the end of the movie when he is a homicidal maniac with nothing but pure love in his eyes.  He is an amazing talent and this film shows just how versatile he is.  Jennifer Laporte is great as the film's lead.  She is able to portray her character perfectly and flawlessly goes through all the emotions you would expect a young lady would go through considering everything she has to put up with.  She is a powerful actress and I can't wait to see her in more roles.  The remainder of the cast is solid as well and each work very well with one another helping the story flow that much easier.  The story for this one is very unique but does remind me of several other films most notably My Boyfriend's Back and Bury the Ex.  Where these stories center around the undead, this one follows the supernatural aspect which added a lot of fun to the story.  We also get several angles that I was not expecting like possessed teddy bears and paranormal nerf guns.  The story was awesome and I could honestly feel a sequel coming out of it...or it may just be wishful thinking.  Finally, the film does have a few on screen kills and damn are they bloody.  The kills are mostly funny but they incorporate a lot of blood and some gore which was rather surprising.  The kills have some amazing practical effects which is something the hardcore gorehounds really enjoy.  Overall, Clinger is a damn fine horror film and one that I can see hitting the Valentine holiday watch list.  This film is bloody and good ol' fashioned fun.  Check it out whenever you can!