Movie Review: Waxwork (1988)

This little fantasy horror film features one hell of an appealing cast.

We’ve got Dana Ashbrook of Twin Peaks, the beautiful Michelle Johnson, Deborah Foreman of April Fool’s Day, and Zach Galligan of Gremlins fame. David Warner and Patrick Macnee round out the cast.

The plot isn’t exactly what you’d expect from a creepy wax museum film. It’s not Tourist Trap, it’s not House of Wax. It’s more like the Nightmare on Elm Street sequels, as characters enter an exhibit more or less like a dream, and encounter some horrific things.

The werewolf is probably my favorite, though the zombies aren’t to be missed.

I do think the cast is one of the film’s highlights, possibly more than the plot. The plot’s okay. It’s something a little different, and pretty fun.

But the cast does a fine job. Ashbrook’s a bit hammy, but the other actors do a great job of elevating somewhat underwritten characters.

Waxwork may not be too fantastic of a movie, and in parts it feels and looks a bit like a Full Moon movie, but it’s creative, weird, and fun. It’s a very minor genre classic, but deservingly so, I think.

Rating: 6/10