Carnival of Souls Review

So, Carnival of Souls. What a whirlwind! This cult classic, directed by Herk Harvey and starring Candace Hilligoss, is like a surreal smörgåsbord of horror and mystery. It’s been a favorite of mine since forever, and honestly, every time I watch it, I pick up something new. The film’s all about atmosphere, dragging you into this eerie limbo that’ll stick with you way after the credits roll.

The plot’s about Mary, played by Hilligoss, who survives a car accident, only to be drawn to an abandoned carnival. Now, I don’t know about you, but old decrepit places have always kinda freaked me out. Like that time I snuck into the closed-down amusement park outside Stockholm with some pals. We thought it was gonna be an adventure, but it ended up terrifying. The echoes of laughter long gone…gave me chills like nothing else!

Back to the film, though. What really gets me is the haunting organ score, which is almost like a character itself. You can just feel the unnerving tension creep into your bones. Harvey’s direction here is raw, sort of low-budget fab that somehow elevates the whole thing. It’s one of those films that’s thrived despite—or maybe because of—its indie roots.

But, gotta say, as much as I love it, there are bits where I was like, “hmm…?” The pacing can be slow, and there are plot holes you could drive a Volvo through. But maybe that’s part of the charm? A kind of beautiful mess you can’t help but enjoy.

If you’ve got a thing for atmospheric, mind-bending flicks—or just fancy watching something that feels like a twilight zone dream—give this a go. Just don’t watch it alone in the dark… Not unless you’re braver than me!

Check the trailer below