The award winning Mystery Highway (2024) is a film that gives us 6 stories of love, death and horror. Co-writer and director Clarke M Smith produced a feature length film for $5,000.00 that looks pretty darned impressive. *David S. Dawson shares writing credit on this one.*
This is a homage of anthology films in general. There are nods to the legend that is John Carpenter. There is also the feeling that Hammer anthology films are also the basis of this formula.
Nudges and winks to Invasion of the Body Snatchers (The Stover Hill UFO segment) and other anthology films. Mystery Highway is also slightly reminiscent of Tales of Halloween, Southbound, or Dr Terror’s House of Horror.
If it is not obvious from the above paragraphs, I will point out that I loved the film. It is creative, inventive and very entertaining. The film is fun and different, not too unlike V/H/S or The ABCs of Death. Although it is also not like any of the other anthology films. It feels…old fashioned? Again there is that Carpenter feel to the proceedings. Whatever it is, it sells the film.
The story
George Bell airs his weekly broadcast at night. His target audience appears to be long distance lorry drivers (Truckers.). This episode of Mystery Highway is being appreciated by a very imaginative group of drivers. As George relays the tales, those drivers find themselves playing the part of the characters in each story. The audience talk to each other via “CB” radios and this adds to the fleshing out of each character.
The Cast
Firstly, I would like to point out that all the actors in Mystery Highway sold each tale in the film. Each segment is character centered and the actors fill each role with a air of confidence that works.
Walter M. Nowosad Jr. is George Bell.
James Steinberg is Crazy Jimbo/Joe.
Randy Davison is Paladin/Rich/Greyson.
Hannah Frantz is Lizzie.
Rachel Elizabeth Ames is The Lioness/Robin/Grace.
Christopher Cendana is Aussie Chris/Bill Hernandez.
Larry Poole is Horse Pool/Dr James.
Whitney Wegman-Wood is Bonnie/Henrietta Hill.
It works
Mystery Highway proves that story plus good actors sells a film. It is very impressive that this one was made for $5k. Despite lack of too much “long green” the segments engage us, as do the actors. Care and a certain amount of passion fill each frame.
The films offers us quite a variation of genres. Drama, some ironic comedy, horror, science fiction and a very interesting version of the apocalypse.
I personally like how the film uses existing characters to fill the shoes of those in George’s stories. It is an impressive move and, more importantly, it works.
Behind the camera
Smith was editor for Mystery Highway. John Christian Patterson, Mike Peterson, and Mason Windt share cinematography credit. Bryan Keith Davis rocks with his sound skills and Reber Clark composed a perfect score for this one.
The folks here have outdone their budget and any restrictions created by said outlay. It looks great and was a wonderful treat. I immediately wanted to stop the film, pop some corn and kick-back in the old recliner. This is a fun ride (Pun intended.) yet amazingly IMDb.com gave the film a low score.
The verdict
Mystery Highway is another independent film that earns a solid 5 out of 5 stars. There are a couple of VFX that disappoint but for 5 grand, who’s complaining. The film itself works. Nowosad Jr is spot on as the softly spoken DJ who broadcasts for a nighttime audience. He helps to set each scenario up and then move us on to the next.
*Kudos to Franz as Lizzie. This young actor sold the heck out of her character.*
The film is streaming on Plex, Fawesome, Tubi, YouTube and can be rented on Prime. Head on over and catch this one. Pop some corn, grab some coke or a beer and bliss out on this entertaining treat.
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