More than three decades after its release, the 1986 horror movieTrick or Treat was ranked No. 6 on Loudwire’s list of the “10 Most Metal Movies of All Time.” The film, known for its hard rock soundtrack, heavy metal themes and appearances by rock icons Ozzy Osbourne and Gene Simmons, has long held cult status among horror and metal fans.
Directed by Charles Martin Smith in his directorial debut, Trick or Treat was released on Oct. 24, 1986. The supernatural horror movie starred Marc Price as teenage metal fan Eddie Weinbauer and Tony Fields as dead rock star Sammi Curr.
Loudwire’s ranking renewed interest in the film because of its strong connection to 1980s heavy metal culture and the “Satanic Panic” era in the United States. During that period, heavy metal music was often blamed by critics and religious groups for corrupting young people.
Louder Sound described the movie as being sold with the pitch: “Kid plays record backwards to unleash revengeful ghost rocker.”
The story follows Eddie Weinbauer, a bullied high school student who idolizes controversial rocker Sammi Curr. After Curr dies in a hotel fire, Eddie receives the only copy of the singer’s unreleased album, Songs in the Key of Death. When he plays the record backward, Sammi’s voice begins speaking directly to him from beyond the grave.
The ghostly rocker first helps Eddie get revenge on bullies, but the situation quickly becomes deadly as Sammi gains power through radios and sound systems.
The film mixed supernatural horror with heavy metal music at a time when bands like Iron Maiden, Mötley Crüe and Kiss were central figures in American pop culture debates.
Louder Sound noted that “Ozzy makes a hilariously tongue-in-cheek cameo playing a dour, moralising televangelist.” In the movie, Osbourne appears as Reverend Aaron Gilstrom, a TV preacher warning parents about the dangers of heavy metal music.
Meanwhile, Simmons plays radio DJ Nuke, who gives Eddie the dangerous record.
The movie’s soundtrack also became one of its defining features. All of Sammi Curr’s songs were written and performed by the hard rock band Fastway, while composer Christopher Young created the film’s score.
Although Trick or Treat received mixed reviews during its original theatrical run, the movie later built a loyal fanbase. The film currently holds a 70% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 10 reviews, while audiences gave it a 63% score from more than 5,000 ratings.
Rotten Tomatoes summarized the movie with the description: “Playing a dead heavy-metal rocker’s (Tony Fields) last record backward brings him back with the power to zap his critics.”
The movie earned nearly $6.8 million at the box office after its 1986 release through De Laurentiis Entertainment Group. Over the years, collector editions on DVD and Blu-ray helped introduce the film to new audiences.
The movie also became notable for several behind-the-scenes stories. Keanu Reeves auditioned for the role of Eddie Weinbauer before Marc Price was cast. Simmons was originally considered for the role of Sammi Curr but later chose to make a cameo instead.Today, Trick or Treat remains one of the best-known heavy metal horror films from the 1980s.
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