Studio 666 – A Fresh Take That Rocks (Early Review)

It’s great to see a popular rock band such as the Foo Fighters step outside their comfort zone and make a horror comedy. That being said, this is not the first time a rock band has branched out into film after Metallica’s Metallica: Through the Never. Music has always been an incredible form of expression and storytelling much in the way film has done. Combining the two just makes so much sense that it’s surprising that there haven’t been more films like this. Studio 666 delivers a fresh take on the horror genre that totally rocks and is an absolute joy to watch. Meanwhile, it shouldn’t come as that much of a surprise that the score and soundtrack are a highlight. That being said, the film does have its issues but they don’t take away from its charm. This film is clearly a labor of love as a result of a group coming together to make a fun movie which is easy to connect with as an audience.

Studio 666 sees every member of the band bring something to the table as they make for a great ensemble, using their pre-established chemistry as a band. The tone and feel of the film can be described as something between old school horror and a Jay and Silent Bob movie. Though these two may not fit on paper, they work flawlessly here with corny yet self-aware humor that lands more often than not. The film’s great haunted house vibe is a hybrid of a music video set mixed with a haunted house that never felt out of place in a story that saw the band seek it out to record their tenth album. Its technical prowess didn’t end there as the film’s pacing kept it engaging and its editing allowed it to fly by. The sound, as mentioned, was absolutely incredible, from the mixing to the score. The film does not hold back with its sound, creating palpable tension and creating moments that look to leave audiences on the edge of their seats.

Though at the end of the day, Studio 666 is indeed a horror film through and through, with some great intense gory scenes that are likely to shock and surprise even the most avid horror fan. It’s horror elements are sure to blow away audiences from its brutal kills, body horror, demons and so much more. The film may be nowhere near the best film of the year nor was it ever aiming for that. Even with the offbeat rhythm of the acting, it is easy to look past as the characters’ love of one another still shines through. The film also features some cool little cameos sprinkled in that will get countless audiences excited. If anything, it proves that The Foo Fighters are musical geniuses as they now have a great film with so many layers to it under their belt. Through themes such as friendship, loyalty and sacrifice, the film shows the arduous process of how an album is made. The overall music producing process is unveiled in a clever way, referencing the pressure some artists may go through when making new music.

In the end, the film won’t be for your average viewer and is one that the horror community will gravitate to the most. Those who may be less familiar with the genre may see something that they will not be prepared for. Studio 666 features some frightening sequences and a lot of blood which are all things that this reviewer lives for more so than some others. Make sure to check this one out!

still courtesy of Open Road Films

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Frederick Nuti