The Speed Demon trailer dropped today and the premise is exactly what it sounds like: A nun. Demons. A train. And William H. Macy is somewhere on that train.
Let that sit for a second.
Macy, the guy from Fargo and Shameless (and a plethora of other amazing things), is facing down demons on a moving train alongside a nun. That is not a casting choice that is made by accident. Not a chance. As I researched this post, I realized he doesn’t do a lot of horror. When he shows up in the genre it tends to be in projects that have something specifically for him in mind (seemingly).
I think that his presence here suggests Speed Demon knows what it’s doing with its tone.
There is a specific kind of horror film that runs entirely on concept energy. One location, one situation, committed completely to its own, inner-cinematic logic. The best versions of this kind of film never over-explain themselves. They build the world, establish the threat, and let claustrophobia do the work.
It seems that Speed Demon is pitching itself squarely in that tradition.
Trains have always made excellent horror settings. Howl, The Midnight Meat Train, Train. The confinement is built in. The momentum creates a particular kind of helplessness that transfers through the screen. There is nowhere to run that isn’t still on the train, less a risk of broken legs.
When you add demons and a religious fighter, you ‘ve got yourself a film that understands its own mechanics.
Some horror fans get snobbish about this kind of concept-first genre exercise (I know, all fans of any genre or franchise get snobbish *cough*Star Wars*cough*). But I think that those films can often be the most fun.
They aren’t trying to be something they aren’t. They are trying to scare the shit out of you for ninety minutes, whilst on a moving train.
Sometimes that is exactly what the genre needs.
Speed Demon arrives this May. William H. Macy versus demons on a train with a Nun is a real film that is actually happening. I honestly wish my best friend was still alive for this one because he would fucking love it.
Are you there for concept-first horror, or does it feel like it’s trying to hard?