Sibling rivalry turns gory, desperation leads them to an unconventional cult-only to unleash horror upon them.

Eldritch USA gives us a glimpse into the town of Eldritch and the cutthroat relationship between two brothers, Geoff(Graham Weldon) and Rich (Andy Phinney) Brewer. These two are constantly competing—whether it’s at work, in their personal lives, or in relationships. But when a tragic accident strikes the family, they turn to a supernatural cult to make things normal again. What follows, however, is worse than you could possibly imagine

Yes, this movie is a musical. I wasn’t ready for that. It genuinely surprised me when the first song started, and I realized what was happening. You don’t see a lot of horror musicals, so I have to applaud the artistic direction that director’s Ryan Smith and Tyler Foreman went for.

The performances were really fun. Andy Phinney had the opportunity to play two very different versions of his character, and both were great. Graham Wedlin also did a solid job in his role, and the dynamic between the two was clear and engaging. As for the supporting cast, there was a standout performance from Cameron Perry as Colin, who played a hilarious best friend and made me laugh every time he was on screen. On top of that, the vocal performances from Aline O’Neill were some of the best parts of the film.

One thing I wish the film did more of was take itself seriously. The concept is really fun and there are some genuinely funny stretches of dialogue, but at times, it felt like the movie got a little lost in its own humor. When the stakes were raised, the musical really hit its stride—but sometimes, the comedy went too far and actually undercut the tension.

I can’t review a musical without talking about the music, and even though I wouldn’t call myself a music expert- the music here was average. Some songs were good, others not so much—it really depends on your taste. I did enjoy the musical aspect overall, and I wouldn’t have wanted it removed, but the songs were so spaced out that I sometimes forgot I was even watching a musical. That being said, the music and acting were backed up by some impressive technical work. The editing was sharp, the lighting was excellent, and the visual effects had real pop.

Eldritch USA, directed by Ryan Smith and Tyler Foreman, is a fun, energetic musical that blends horror, heart, and humor into a gory and surprisingly heartfelt story. I personally liked it, and I think anyone who gives it a chance will enjoy the ride from beginning to end.