Key Takeaways:
* The Collection emerged during the era of the dark horror genre, distinguished by its intriguing blend of tortured porn and home invasion narratives.
* Marcus Dunstan, the creative genius behind the gore-filled film The Collection, had a remarkable history in the horror genre.
* The Collection relied heavily on practical effects, which significantly contributed to its authentic ambiance and chill-inducing scenes.
* Despite experiencing setbacks with the third installment of the movie series, ‘The Collection,’ Dunstan is determined to bring the story to its conclusive end.
Diving into the Dark Horror Genre: The Intriguing Arrival of ‘The Collection’
Emerging during the early 2000s, when Japanese horror remakes and the disturbing genre later dubbed ‘torture porn’ dominated the cinematic world, was a unique film termed as ‘The Collection.’ This movie seemingly overlooked when it was released in 2009 caught the attention of horror enthusiasts in retrospect. Directed by Marcus Dunstan, the film cleverly intertwined elements of home invasion films and tortured porn, a rarity in that era where violent films were losing their lustre. Amid poor reviews and unimpressive box office collections, the movie seized a second wind of appreciation, securing its status as a cult classic.
Scriptwriting Duo Steals the Spotlight
The intriguing backstory of The Collection began when Marcus Dunstan and his co-writer, Patrick Melton, bagged a win in the third season of Project Greenlight with their screenplay ‘Feast.’ Impressed by an unproduced screenplay from the duo, an executive decided to hire them to write Saw IV and its sequels, up to Saw 3D. That unproduced screenplay ‘The Midnight Man,’ initially proposed as a prequel to Saw, was reworked into ‘The Collector.’ The Corkscrew journey of ‘The Collector’ saw it being passed from Dimension Films to LD Entertainment due to funding shortages, finally earning revenue worth triple its 3 million dollar budget.
Cast and Characters That Gave ‘The Collection’ an Edge
The sequel of The Collection saw the return of Josh Stewart as Arkin, last seen being kidnapped by the titular Collector at the climax of the first film. The cast was further fortified by the inclusion of skilled actors like Emma Fitzpatrick, Lee Tergesen, and Christopher McDonald. Notably, Stewart’s career took a turn for the better following The Collection, bagging him roles in reputed Christopher Nolan films, Insidious: The Lost Key, and numerous episodes of Criminal Minds.
Visual Horrors: The Explicit Use of Practical Effects
The Collection is infamous for its gruesome traps and graphic scenes of violence, achieved mainly due to the exemplary use of practical effects. The special effects team, orchestrated by David Fletcher, worked in detail to construct eerily realistic traps, a testament to the twisted mind of the antagonist. Notably, the terrifying nightclub massacre at the start of the movie provides a chilling glimpse into the blend of creativity and meticulous planning that backed the making of this film.
The Struggles of Crafting ‘The Collected’
Despite encountering numerous setbacks during the filming of the third part of the movie series, ‘The Collection,’ Dunstan remains optimistic about bringing the narrative to a conclusion. Although the COVID-19 pandemic blew a harder hit to the meioing production process, the project still holds a glimmer of hope.
Conclusion: Relishing the Blend of Horror and Action
The blend of action and horror in the movie, The Collection, has created a unique niche for itself in the cinematic world. If the gory and thrilling narrative of the film series has escaped your notice, it’s high time you gave it a watch. Despite challenges and delays, the commitment of the creative team, combined with their determination to continue the series, fuels hope for the completion of the third part, ‘The Collected.’
