How to Make a Horror Movie and Survive by Craig DiLouie (ARC Review)

Title: How to Make a Horror Movie and Survive
Author: Craig DiLouie
Type: Fiction
Genre: Adult, Horror
Publisher: Redhook
Published: June 18, 2024

A complimentary physical copy of this book was kindly provided by Hachette Book Group Canada in exchange for an honest review.

Horror isn’t horror unless it’s real.

Max Maury should be on top of the world. He’s a famous horror director. Actors love him. Hollywood needs him. He’s making money hand over fist. But it’s the 80s, and he’s directing cheap slashers for audiences who only crave more blood, not real art. Not real horror. And Max’s slimy producer refuses to fund any of his new ideas.

Sally Priest dreams of being the Final Girl. She knows she’s got what it takes to score the lead role, even if she’s only been cast in small parts so far. When Sally meets Max at his latest wrap party, she sets out to impress him and prove her scream queen prowess.

But when Max discovers an old camera that filmed a very real Hollywood horror, he knows that he has to use this camera for his next movie. The only problem is that it came with a cryptic warning and sometimes wails.

By the time Max discovers the true evil lying within, he’s already dead set on finishing the scariest movie ever put to film, and like it or not, it’s Sally’s time to shine as the Final Girl.

⤖ My Review ⬻

I had an interesting experience with How to Make a Horror Movie and Survive by Craig DiLouie. There were definitely some ups and downs. Having never read this author before, I knew that I was completely unaware of what I was in for. But I also knew that the synopsis really intrigued me.

Going into How to Make a Horror Movie and Survive, I remember really liking the author’s discussion of the horror genre—styles, tropes, directors. It felt like a love letter to horror fans, and I found myself nodding along with the insights shared. I also absolutely loved the mentions of horror movies known to me, and the quotes from horror movie directors.

On the other hand, the cast of characters, pacing of the story, and storytelling tone whenever the plot progressed…I found I struggled with a bit. I can’t say too much on this without giving things away, but I will say that I had to push through some sections for sure.

Now having read DiLouie’s How to Make a Horror Movie and Survive, I have to say that I still find the overall concept of the story to be quite interesting, and I did have fun during certain parts (especially in the last quarter of the book). The execution and writing style, however, didn’t quite jive with me though.

That’s not to say that it won’t be the perfect fit for some of you reading this review! I’m definitely curious to see what other books this author might release, and will likely give those books a try if the synopses pull me in, just for the sake of comparison (and who am I kidding, also to satiate my curiosity).