Wait – What just happened at the end?
I’m pretty sure Hide and Go Shriek is one of those movies you watch when you want to feel smarter than the screen.
This 80s slasher made me laugh more than it scared me, and not because it’s funny on purpose, but because everything about it screams “what the hell did I just watch?”
But, you know, the kind of mess that’s so bad it’s sort of fun.
Plot Summary of Hide and Go Shriek (Spoiler-Free)
Four teenage couples decide that celebrating graduation by having a sleepover in a locked furniture store is a brilliant idea. No one knows why, and the movie doesn’t bother to explain either.
Anyway, while they’re busy making bad decisions and sneaking around couches and beds, there’s a serial killer trapped inside with them. The killer isn’t your usual masked psycho, he’s a creepy guy who lives in the store and apparently spends way too much time rearranging mannequins and trying on late 80s outfits.
As the night goes on, the couples start disappearing one by one. Pretty standard slasher setup, but with a lot more awkwardness and terrible lighting.
Hide and Go Shriek Review: Is It Worth Watching?
Hide and Go Shriek is not a good movie, where the acting ranges from painfully wooden to wildly over the top, and the story barely makes sense.
The pacing too feels like someone hit the slow-motion button for no reason, but there’s also something oddly charming about it all.
First off, the idea of teenagers locking themselves in a furniture store for a sleepover is absurd enough to be amusing. I mean, who thinks that’s a good idea? And the lighting inside the store is so dim that half the time you’re squinting, trying to figure out who’s who or if anyone’s still alive.
Sean Kanan, in his film debut, plays the son of the owner, and he’s about the only character who tries to bring some life to the screen, but even he can’t fully save this sinking ship. As for the rest of the cast, they are rather fogettable.
The “cool” guy who wears sunglasses inside a dark store is particulary annoying, as he spends most of his time fondling mannequins, which I guess is his version of flirting, and causes a bunch of false alarms that drag the tension way down.
Now, about the killer. The movie starts off trying to set up a suspect, but then tosses that idea aside because the real killer is some other guy who dresses like he’s stuck in an 80s synth band and giggles creepily while stalking the kids.
His motivations are also completely baffling. He kills women he supposedly has no problem with, lives secretly in the store for who knows how long, and freaks out over teenagers who are all in relationships.
And yes, he’s obsessed with moving mannequins around.
If you’re looking for scares, Hide and Go Shriek won’t deliver. But if you want to laugh at some truly ridiculous scenes and over the top acting, you might have a bit of fun with it. The sound effects also don’t match anything happening on screen, which just adds to the surreal, “what the hell?” vibe.
The ending also tries to pull off a big twist and a shocking finale, but it lands somewhere between “wait, what?” and “are you kidding me?”
The killer survives a fall down an elevator shaft, pretends to be dead, kills an EMT, and then magically drives the ambulance with survivors in the back. You’ll shake your head and laugh at how ridiculously impossible that is.
If you’re comparing this to better slashers like Halloween or Friday the 13th, you’ll be sorely disappointed. But if you’re in the mood for a weird, cheesy 80s slasher that doesn’t take itself seriously, this might just scratch that itch.
But it’s still a pretty terrible film.
What I Liked (And What I Didn’t Like)
Pros
The Absurd Setting
A furniture store sleepover? That’s so bizarre it actually makes the movie somewhat memorable. It’s a fresh twist on the usual “cabin in the woods” trope, and watching teenagers awkwardly hide behind couches is oddly entertaining.
Sean Kanan’s Presence
Sean Kanan tries his best to inject some energy into the movie, and his semi-serious attitude provides a small anchor for this sea of awfulness.
The Unintentional Humor
The bad acting, cheesy effects, and ridiculous plot moments make this a great accidental comedy. You’ll laugh more than you’ll jump, which isn’t a bad thing if you watch with friends.
Cons
The Terrible Acting
Most of the cast can’t act to save their lives, and it’s hard to care about any of these characters.
The Nonsensical Plot
The killer’s motivations make zero sense. Why kill women he supposedly doesn’t mind? Why freak out over teens who aren’t a threat? The plot holes are huge and distracting.
Annoying Characters
Some of the teens are downright irritating and kill any suspense the film tries to build.
Poor Sound Design
The sound effects don’t match the action. Doors creak when no one’s around, footsteps don’t line up, and sometimes there’s just silence where there shouldn’t be. It’s all quite jarring.
Bad Lighting
While the dim lighting adds some charm, it also means you can’t see what’s happening half the time.
The Absurd Ending
Surviving a fall down an elevator shaft, faking death, killing an EMT, then driving an ambulance? Yeah, OK….
Who Might Like Hide and Go Shriek
- Fans of cheesy 80s horror movies
- Viewers who love so-bad-it’s-good cinema
- People looking for a low-budget slasher with some accidental laughs
- Viewers who don’t take movies too seriously and want some camp fun
Who Might Dislike Hide and Go Shriek
- If you’re expecting a genuinely scary horror movie
- Anyone who hates bad acting or confusing storylines
- Those who get frustrated by poor sound and lighting
- Viewers who dislike cheesy special effects
Final Verdict: Is Hide and Go Shriek Worth Watching?
Hide and Go Shriek isn’t a good movie by any traditional standard. It’s got terrible acting, a confusing plot, and some of the worst sound and lighting you’ll find outside of a student film.
But watching it was like opening a box of horror movie curiosities that make you laugh, scratch your head, and sometimes cringe all at once.
There’s a weird charm to it, and it’s the kind of movie you watch with friends for a fun, silly night.
So worth watching? No.
Should you watch it? Maybe, if you like trashy slasher horror films.
Hide and Go Shriek Trailer
Simon Leasher
A lover of cinema for over 35 years, I have watched many films from around the world in many different genres, yet I still normally always come back to trashy slasher horror films when in doubt. More
And yes, The Godfather 2 is better than The Godfather.
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