Review by Peter Syslo
VALERIE ON THE STAIRS (2006) is a “Masters of Horror” episode from Season Two and I think that it is probably my favorite from that collection. It is adapted from a Clive Barker story and you can definitely see his fingerprints all over it. It has a classic, gothic feel, it has strong instances of blood and gore, it has a strong sexual component, and it has that touch of surrealism (in and out of reality) that is present in a lot of Barker’s work. In short, I think that this one “hit the spot” and it is one of the high points of the MoH series, overall.
VALERIE… is directed by Mick Garris and is adapted by Garris, from a Clive Barker story. The film stars Tyron Leitso (Rob), Clare Grant (Valerie), Tony Todd (The Beast), Suki Kaiser (Patricia), and Christopher Lloyd ( Everett ). It also features makeup effects by K.N.B. EFX, which deserves mention because the effects were excellent.
The film is about a young writer, Rob, who is staying at sort of a dormitory for working writers. While he is attempting to work, he sees visions of a beautiful, naked woman named Valerie, who appears to be in trouble and who is constantly led away by a demonic presence known as The Beast. Valerie is some sort of pet for this demon and Rob wishes to save the “damsel in distress”. In the meantime, The Beast comes out of hiding and starts murdering some of the other writers (there’s a gruesome but brilliant scene where he rips a spine out of a person). As the film builds to a climax, Rob becomes entranced by Valerie and wishes to free her, Patricia cautions him about getting too involved in his work, and Rob finds that Everett has a connection to The Beast which defies th e rules of reality.
VALERIE… is a really good film that deals with the way that reality and fiction can cross over into one another. However, the story is very solid and very accessible – it has surreal elements but it is sort of a twist on the old “beauty and the beast” tale and a twist on the “artist getting lost in his work” story (I was easily able to “get into” this movie and I felt that it was well-balanced horror). Also, the end really blew me away (no pun intended); at first I was like, “okay, that’s it?” but, when I thought about it, it was a really imaginative (and “ballsy”) way to end it all - and it fit perfectly into the blurred fantasy/reality motif. The story had an almost hypnotic affect on me and the great visuals just took it to a higher level; this is definitely one of the best MoH episodes that I have seen.
My only real criticism of the film is that some of the ideas within it are not really all that unique. But, that doesn’t take away from this picture because the adaptation and the direction of Garris just soared above expectations (this may be Garris’ best work). I think that the “familiarity” of the story may have even worked in its favor because it wasn’t too “out there” - it was easy to follow and that “easy” quality seemed to emphasize the “reality shift” that is predominant throughout the story. I think that it worked perfectly as a “literary” horror piece; it’s artistic and it’s one of the best “fiction becomes reality” films that I have seen.
Cutting to the chase: VALERIE ON THE STAIRS was great. It was enjoyable on many different levels and it didn’t seem to be “forced” at all. The film just flowed like a fine wine, got better and better, and the bizarre ending was the perfect finishing touch. Regarding other details, all of the acting was really good: Christopher Lloyd was as enjoyable as always; Tyron Leitso played a good hero; Clare Grant was definitely desirable as the enigmatic Valerie; and Tony Todd (my favorite in this) stole the show as the vicious, yet lovelorn Beast. Again, the makeup and visual effects were excellent and contrast between feminine beauty and beastly gore made things all the better. Barker and Garris are a great combo and if you like the “Masters of Horror” series, Clive Barker’s work, IN THE MOUTH OF MADNESS, THE NINTH GATE, PAN’S LABYRINTH, or “dark” fairy tales, then you will probably dig this. I give it a 9 out of 10.