The Mortuary Collection (2020)

3 Stars (out of 4)

Par for the Corpse

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

Here's a horror anthology that's aware of how horror anthologies work. Written and directed by Ryan Spindell, The Mortuary Collection stars the great character actor Clancy Brown (who also executive produced) as mortician Montgomery Dark. He's the typical storyteller in these kinds of movies, and when a pretty blonde, Sam (Caitlin Custer, credited as Caitlin Fisher), shows up to apply for a job as an assistant. As Dark gives her a tour, he tells three stories of how some of his customers came to meet their ends. The first one involves a lady pickpocket and a bathroom medicine cabinet, the second one is about a frat boy who preaches condom-wearing, but who secretly removes his during sex, and the third one is about a man forced to take care of his comatose wife. When the stories end, Sam complains about how typical they are — morality tales with people getting payback for their terrible acts — and we get a fourth, quite surprising tale, followed by a very satisfying wrap-up. The movie does run a bit too long, and Sam's point is true; the first three stories are a bit too familiar, but otherwise, this is a solid, spooky entertainment.