RAW REVIEW: BANNISTER DOLL HEIST

Hot on the heels of Mycho's Cleaver 3: Maximum Cleavage comes yet another movie from the independent horror cinematic universe

Following on from the spooky goings on of 2019’s Bannister Doll House, this movie carries on the haunting tale of the demonic dolls.

Taking inspiration from classic heist movies AND old-school ghost stories, microbudget maestro MJ Dixon once again sets out to show he can do something new.

The House has yet to find a Mychoverse movie that disappoints - is the streak about to be broken?

Read on...

BANNISTER DOLL HEIST (2026)

Dir: MJ Dixon

Stars: ANGELIQUE TAYLOR, JACK GLANVILLE, PETRINA RICHARDSON, PHILIP ROGERS, CHRIS MORLEY, WILLIAM MARSHALL, JON-PAUL GATES, SEAN ABBOTT, TIANA ROGERS, AUDREY PERKINS

SPEEDY SYNOPSIS: I’ll try not to spoil too much here but continue at your own risk.

Opening with a daring raid on a police evidence locker, Bannister Doll Heist shows us a bunch of don on their luck career criminals looking for one big pay day. Sadly, things do not go to plan for Rey (Taylor), Frank (Philip Rogers), Judith (Richardson), and Davis (Glanville), and several police officers lose their lives.

Fleeing with their loot, the gang meet up with their corrupt inside man Officer Lawford (Marshall) at an old warehouse, praying their buyer will be able to give them a suitable payoff to escape the heat coming down on them.

However, they don't realise they are not the most dangerous thing in their hideout...

THE BEST BITS (mild spoiler warning): While Bannister Doll Heist is releasing very close to Cleaver 3: Maximum Carnage, the movies could not be further aprt in terms of tone and pacing.

The film is smaller, quieter, and significantly scarier than its counterpart. Taking the creepy and unsettling tone of its predecessor, this is a fantastically creepy little picture.

Feeling like a unique blend of Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and The Conjuring, the movie combines fun, memorable characters and chilling set-pieces. 

The highlights come from the fantastic Taylor, who imbues Rey with a subtle vulnerability and toughness that ensure you'll be rooting for her throughout. She's very much the heart of the movie so her nailing the part is vital - thankfully, she does.

Philip Rogers also impresses as the volatile tough guy Frank. He oozes menace and even brings some subtle humour to the part. Great stuff!

I raved about Marshall's increased role in Cleaver 3, and I was delighted to see him play another larger part in Bannister Doll Heist. He brings enough sleazy energy to the character to ensure you can't wait for him to get his comeuppance. 

Morley also brings some nice gravitas to his character - one of the few survivors of the shocking events of Bannister Doll House (AKA The Haunting of Molly Bannister) his character ties everything together and acts as the catalyst for the events of the movie.

I always want to single out the incredible Perkins who brings the story's villainous entity to life in a very unnerving way.

Of all of Mycho's movies, I'd argue this has some of their scariest scenes. A cool combination of Perkins's terrifying performance, simple but effective special effects work, and fantastic sound design make the puppet-like demon true nightmare fuel.

Perhaps that is the movie's biggest strength - it is simple and focused on story and scares. It absolutely delivers both.

THE WORST BITS (mild spoiler warning):  There is very little to find fault with in Bannister Doll Heist. It's a lean, mean, spooky thriller that never overreaches. Sure, some knowledge of what has come before is necessary, but I imagine many viewers will quickly be able to piece together the necessary information to keep up with events.

It's also lower budget than your typical Blumhouse blockbuster. It has a rough indie charm to it, but honestly, I feel that better suits the movie's tone anyway.

THE VERDICT: Let's get straight to the point - I loved Bannister Doll Heist.

The writing was on-point, the characters compelling, and the scares visceral. This is a shining example of British indie filmmaking, and I thoroughly recommend it.

You can read more about the movie at the Bannister series' official Facebook page. Or better yet, hit up the Mycho Patreon and help them create more quality indie horror.

If you haven’t already, do please check out and Like the Hickey’s House of Horrors Facebook page, which you can find here. It gives you a nice quick link to any new posts on this blog, plus regular news updates from around the web. I check the Internet so you don’t have to! Alternatively, follow me on twitter: The House @HickeysHorrors

Until next time, I hope you enjoyed your stay.

RAW REVIEW: CLEAVER 3 - MAXIMUM CLEAVAGE

After a short hiatus (about as long as the one I took from this blog!) MJ Dixon's Mychoverse is back, with not one but two brand-new entries!

Both movies see us return to the extended horror cinematic universe’s rogue’s gallery with a new outing for the notorious Bannister dolls coming soon, but first - killer clown Cleaver.

Following on from 2019’s Cleavers, this movie continues the twisted tale of the vicious clown’s family. 

With Mary-Beth Layton already proving to be just as deadly as her serial killer father, the creative folk over at Mycho have decided to team her with a few familiar faces in an exciting new setting for this third installment.

Will the gamble pay off - or is the joke on the audience?

Read on...

CLEAVER 3: MAXIMUM CLEAVAGE (2026)

Dir: MJ Dixon

Stars: HOLLY-ANNE DODKINS, WILLIAM MARSHALL, DAVID HON MA CHU, LEWIS COOPER, SONJA SEVA, ADAM LEZEMORE, AARON JACKSON, BEN MANNING, MARTIN W PAYNE, PHOEBE BAKKER, KIMBERLEY LASI, MOLLY BROWN

SPEEDY SYNOPSIS: I’ll try not to spoil too much here but continue at your own risk.

The movie opens with the authorities closing on Lil’ Miss Cleaver (Holly-Anne Dodkins) in her latest trap-laden hidey hole. Predictably, there is soon much bloodshed. But a touch less predictably, the sequence culminates in the capture of the budding slasher.

The authorities waste no time intending her to a maximum security prison - The Chamber - that holds the worst of the worst - and to illustrate this, we are reintroduced to a handful of monsters that should already be familiar to long-term Mycho fans - Mr Stitch (William Marshall), the Panda-headed Stripper Ripper (David Hon Ma Chu),  C’Nucklehead (Lewis Cooper), and the Man in the Mirro (Aaron Jackson) - all of whom were last seen hacking their way through a selection of victims in Slasher House 3: Rebooted - and actor Adam Lezemore, who hilariously, has no idea how he ended up in a movie filled with fictional killers.

Downtrodden and incarcerated through cutting-edge tech, the group soon become the personal playthings of the twisted Warden (Martin W Payne).

Eventually, Mary-Beth and her fellow inmates decide enough is enough, and set in action a daring plan to escape and exact revenge on their oppressors…

THE BEST BITS (mild spoiler warning): Following the tragic and untimely death of original Cleaver actor Paul Rogers in 2020, the Mycho crew were faced with a big decision - recast or pivot? Out of respect to their late friend, the group decided instead to take a risk, shifting the spotlight and thinking outside the box for subsequent entries in the series. This risk-taking has led to tremendous imagination on their part - and that is abundant in Cleaver 3: Maximum Carnage.

The film bounces along at a rapid rate, complete with fun plot twists, thrilling action sequences, plenty of biting humour, and some nice character development for some of the new faces that may have had more limited screentime in the past.

It helps that these actors are so good - Dodkins is the focal point of this movie, and she effortlessly steps back into the role she played so well in Cleavers. She nails the Harley Quinn-like mannerisms, making Mary-Beth an unhinged but compelling screen presence.

The returning Manning shows nice chemistry with newcomer Seva, and they add a nice, down-to-earth human element to this larger-than-life rollercoaster ride.

Marshall is a real highlight of the movie; he regularly plays smaller roles in the Mycho catalogue so this bigger part is well-deserved. That he does so brilliantly as the monstrous Cletus Sawney is just a further testimony to that fact.

I've spoken at length about how awesome David Hon Ma Chu is (not least in his character's previous spin-off movie Pandamonium). He has consistently proven himself to be among the finest actors in the Mycho troupe, and he does typically fantastic work here. I'm already looking forward to his return in the upcoming Pandamonium Incorporated!

Another regular collaborator is Payne, who also receives a larger role in this movie as the villainous Warden Warner. He's always a joy to watch, and this outing is no exception. Sure, maybe the accent wobbles a little at times, but he's having so much fun chewing the scenery as an out-and-out bad guy you can't help but get carried away by his work.

A special highlight is the brilliantly funny way in which Lezemore is incorporated, oozing fish-out-of-water confusion and at the heart of the movie's funniest moments.

The setting is almost a character in its own right, and shows that microbudget maestro MJ Dixon is far from running out of ideas for the Mychoverse. The Chamber is a brilliant addition - expanding on the shadowy tech and authorities already featured in the Slasherhouse flicks, and also giving our leads a decent dilemma to overcome as part of the storyline.

Dixon has previously said the movie was heavily influenced by the likes of Fortress (with its high-tech penitentiary), Con Air and The Devil's Rejects (with their rogue's gallery of interesting anti-heroes) - and those factors make for a heady, action-packed mix.

However, I'd argue it bears a striking resemblance to another title, too. If the Slasherhouse movies are the Mychoverse's Avengers, this is its Civil War - a smaller, more character-driven crossover with plenty of big moments for fans of the series.

THE WORST BITS (mild spoiler warning):  Perhaps the most obvious point to open, but one which is worth starting - Cleaver 3 is the third part in a trilogy of movies, with close links to multiple other horror films, several chapters into an ongoing and evolving cinematic universe. As such, this is not very newcomer-friendly.

Cleaver 3 was also created using a far smaller budget than your typical big studio (or even small studio) Hollywood horror movie.

It does look great for a film with such humble resources - but it is still a low-budget film. This means that at times it can become a little rough around the edges. Please do bear this in mind.

Finally, and this is only a minor issue, but the decision to cast some of these characters as heroes is pretty risky - not least Jakob Jakushi's, whose attitude towards women in his previous outing makes him very much a villainous character, even when he starts slashing despotic jailors. Perhaps this is the start of a redemption arc?

THE VERDICT: The good folk at Maycho never fail to impress me with their imagination, and Cleaver 3 is a fabulous example of the ingenious ways they find to spin new stories.

Despite setback after setback, and near-crippling budgetary constraints, Dixon and his team continue to deliver again and again. That the third movie in a series could be its freshest yet is truly mind-boggling.

It's fun, funny, and blends in some impressive action sequences, while giving memorable characters, dialogue, and a truly unique plot.

With a credit scene suggesting there's more on the way, count me as part of the Cleaver club!

You can read more about the movie at its official website. Or better yet, hit up the Mycho Patreon and help them create more quality indie horror.

If you haven’t already, do please check out and Like the Hickey’s House of Horrors Facebook page, which you can find here. It gives you a nice quick link to any new posts on this blog, plus regular news updates from around the web. I check the Internet so you don’t have to! Alternatively, follow me on twitter: The House @HickeysHorrors

Until next time, I hope you enjoyed your stay.

SLASHER HOUSE 3: REBOOTED (2024)

Regular HHoH readers will certainly be familiar with my love for Mycho, the independent cinematic slasher universe created by microbudget maestro MJ Dixon.

Originally launched with 2012's Slasher House, which saw the enigmatic Red battle her way through a facility filled with diabolical murderers, the ever-expanding universe fleshed out the backstory of her monstrous foes, leading to phase 2's quite fantastic Slasher House II, which further expanded on Red's story and her ongoing battle with her monstrous father.

Now, with a veritable rogue's gallery of villains that would make Batman balk hot on Red's tail, and the bitter struggle between vengeful daughter and demonic parent as personal as ever, we come to the grand finale, Mychoverse's own Endgame...

Ahead of its premiere at the 2024 Horror-On-Sea Festival, Dixon and co offered me a chance to look at a movie I've been eagerly anticipating for more than a decade.

Could Mycho really deliver the goods and offer a satisfying conclusion to one of indie horror's most impressive achievements?

Read on...


SLASHER HOUSE 3: REBOOTED (2024)

Dir: MJ Dixon

Stars: Redd Nicholson, Carly Halse, Paris Rivers, Luna Wolf, Grant Kempster, Cy Henty, Lewis Cooper, Adam Lezemore, Richard Fysh, Eileen Daly, Pauline Peart, Nicholas Vince, Dani Thompson, Martin W Payne, William Marshall, Sam Cullingworth, Matthew Baunsgard, Tony Mardon, Dean Sills, Peter Mahoney, Adam Dillon, Will Metheringham, Tiana Rogers, Lara Davis, Joe O'Connor, Wellington Grosvenor, David Hon Ma Chu, Paul Rogers, Jack Glanville, Michael Higham, MJ Dixon, Anna Dixon, Aaron Jackson, Haider Abdullah, Mark Smith, Natalie Chisholm, Moray Binfield


SPEEDY SYNOPSIS: I’ll try not to spoil too much here but continue at your own risk.

Finally, killer of killers Red (newcomer to the series Nicholson) is at the heart of the shadowy H.E.X.A.G.O.N's base of operations and she is given a first-hand view of the endgame her sinister father (Kempster) has been working towards for years... along with a shocking reveal about the nature of the Slasher House.

After reuniting with treacherous former comrade Luse (Halse) and crossing paths with the Thorn series' Eric (Rivers) - who has infiltrated H.E.X.A.G.O.N on his own mission of revenge - Red finds herself hunted by a new wave of cybernetically enhanced maniacal murderers, led by the psychotic Burny Man (Henty) as she herself moves towards her inevitable final confrontation with the Crimson Demon.

This is it everyone...

THE BEST BITS (mild spoiler warning): Well, where to begin? After more than a decade, the story started in Slasher House reaches its conclusion. Along the way, Mycho has produced nine movies and numerous short films in this franchise, and now MJ Dixon has tasked himself with tying all of this content up into one neat little bow. It's an impressive task to undertake... and even more impressive that he has managed to pull it off!

Slasher House 3 is tightly plotted, with barely an ounce of fat on its lean mean runtime, and the various threads that have been produced along the way are cleverly interwoven. There a plenty of fan-pleasing moments involving this cinematic universe's most popular inhabitant, so bravo for giving those long-term followers exactly what they want!

It's difficult to discuss the plot of the movie at risk of sharing spoilers, but suffice it to say that even after all this time, the Mycho gang are able to pull off some impressive surprises. There were moments that prompted gasps and plenty of smiles along the way. If this is to be the end of Red's story (and of course, I can't possibly comment either way) she's going out with a bang.

As well as the clever twists and turns, Dixon's script also features all of the imagination I've come to expect from a Mycho flick. The new villains (and there are plenty) are quite excellent, with several crying out for their own spin-off movies much like their predecessors Thorn and Cleaver have spawned. Ranging from clever homages to iconic horror monsters of yesteryear to new and frightening creations, the rogue's gallery in this movie is one that gives Mycho plenty of fresh and interesting directions in which to go in the future.

The script also features a whole lot of action and the series' trademark wry humour. The wisecracks come thick and fast, with special mention going to the fourth-wall-breaking Prankster who is consistently hilarious throughout. The movie is also pretty much a steady series of escalating fight scenes and they never fail to deliver. Whether it be Red vs H.E.X.A.G.O.N's heavily armed goons or maniacal monster-on-monster smackdowns, these action set pieces are always fun, thrilling, and shot perfectly.

I've often praised Mycho's clever way of working around their budgetary limitations, as well as Dixon's own striking visual style, and Slasher House 3 is no exception. From the artful, Argento-esque colour palette to the clever use of quick cuts and framing, the movie looks like one with a budget far, far higher than the resourceful Mycho crew was able to work with. Well done to all involved!

Of course, a good-looking film can still fall flat if the audience doesn't care about the protagonists. Coming at the end of a string of films that have helped to flesh out these characters certainly doesn't hurt, but Dixon's clever script and dialogue ensure you are invested, as do the performers themselves.

Nicholson is the third actress to portray Red in as many movies, but she soon makes the role her own. She brings the toughness we come to expect of the character and adds some much-needed subtle vulnerability for the film's more emotional scenes in the final act. I was not familiar with her work before but I'm very much looking forward to seeing more of her.

Halse also takes up a role previously inhabited by another actress, and she also excels. Hers is not a simple impersonation of what came before - she gives Luse plenty of personality, making her another character that lights up the screen in every scene.

I've long been an admirer of Paris Rivers and his portrayal of Eric and I was delighted to see him getting a substantial role in this movie. He's likeable, charming, and very much somebody I hope to see continue working with Mycho.

Of course, indie horror fans will be familiar with Luna Wolf, who makes up the final component of the Mychoverse's new 'Core four'. She has decidedly less screen time here than in the previous Slasher House movie, but her role here is more complex and shows a considerable amount of range. Needless to say, she smashes it once again.

Other returning faces include a host of Mycho stalwarts such as Payne, and Marshall, all of whom are as reliable and fun to watch as ever. Well done gang, your hard work has not gone overlooked here.

The newcomers to the series also impress, with special credit for Henty's deranged Burny Man. He is menacing, yet somehow even sympathetic, oozing a palpable menace that makes his every scene a real thrill. Impressive indeed.

Elsewhere the Prankster, as brought to life physically by Lezemore and voiced with droll relish by Fysh is a consistent scene stealer. The recurring jokes about a Slaypril Fool's Day movie from Mycho are a long-running source of amusement, but can we please, please, get one now? Pretty please?

Equally impressive in this movie is the shockingly good special effects. Low-budget indie horror often suffers in this regard, as realistic gore and paranormal activity rarely come cheap. Somehow Dixon and his crew have given us some seriously nifty practical effects, and a couple of exceptional CG moments, especially those involving the stupendously creepy Mirror Man. There's one spin-off I'm dying to see.

THE WORST BITS (mild spoiler warning): I'll open with my usual caveat when reviewing indie horror - as impressive as Slasher House 3 is, it was very much created using a far smaller budget than your typical big studio (or even small studio) Hollywood horror movie.

Slasher House 3 really does look quite spectacular for a film with such humble resources - but it is still a low-budget film. This means that at times it can become a little rough around the edges. Please do adjust your expectations accordingly- it’s very much worth it.

Perhaps one criticism that could be leveled at the Mycho crew is that, if anything, the movie may have been too ambitious an undertaking. With production derailed by the COVID pandemic and a heinous robbery, Dixon et al have made no secret of the challenges they faced creating the movie. For the most part, I think these challenges were overcome with the typical ingenuity you might expect from this group of filmmakers.

However, there are a couple of rougher looking moments (perhaps caused by having to resource costumes that were stolen and recast roles following sudden departures from the production), but thankfully these are few and far between.

On a related note, as much as I admire the dedication to providing such a huge rogue's gallery for this movie, sadly it feels like several get short shrift in terms of screen time. Of course, if budget and time were no issue I'm sure we'd have got an epic two-part finale a la Infinity War/Endgame, but this is not the case. It means that some of the more familiar faces are reduced to extended cameos with an understandable focus on the Core Four, Harley, and the new faces. Ultimately I suppose this is a testimony to the longevity and enduring popularity of Dixon’s characters - I wanted even more!

THE VERDICT: Year after year Mycho have provided thrilling, fun, horror movies that I have gladly endorsed to you, the readers of HHoH.

Sadly, there comes a day when every streak, no matter how great, comes to an end.

Today is not that day.

Slasher House 3 was everything I wanted from the concluding chapter of what, no matter how you look it, is a legitimately impressive feat of Indie filmmaking and a thrilling final chapter/new beginning for this homegrown cinematic.

Yes, I listed some minor faults, but ultimately the film is simply exceptional. This is a shining example of what ingenuity, passion, and sheer daring can achieve on film. Put simply, it's a bona fide UK indie horror classic that deserves to be applauded.

Congratulations MJ, Anna, and everyone else involved in every step of the creation of not just Slasher House 3, but each and every other Mycho movie along the way to this point. You did it. Be proud.

Slasher House 3 will premiere at Horror on Sea on 21 January. You can buy tickets for the event here.

In the meantime, why not read more about the movie at its official Facebook page. Or better yet, hit up the Mycho Patreon and help them create more quality indie horror.

If you haven’t already, do please check out and Like the Hickey’s House of Horrors Facebook page, which you can find here. It gives you a nice quick link to any new posts on this blog, plus regular news updates from around the web. I check the Internet so you don’t have to! Alternatively, follow me on twitter: The House @HickeysHorrors

Until next time, I hope you enjoyed your stay.

SHARP SHOCK SHORT: THE THINNING VEIL

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of UK independent filmmakers Mycho. I've reviewed each of the micro-budget auteurs' offerings from 2017's Slasher House II, by way of Mask Of Thorn, via The Haunting Of Molly Bannister (AKA ) Bannister Dollhouse and Cleavers: Killer Clowns right up to the studio's most recent effort Pandamonium, and I have praised each and every one along the way.

Sadly, the real-world horrors of the last year put plans for the much anticipated third chapter in the Slasher House trilogy on hold, but that doesn't mean that Mycho supremos MJ and Anna Dixon have been sitting idle.

As contributors to their Patreon will know, they are still providing plenty of content, including some superb short horror films.

These shorts are a regular treat from Mycho, and one of these, The Thinning Veil, has drawn plenty of attention from critics, including selection for several prestigious film festivals.

For good reason too, as I will soon explain.

THE THINNING VEIL (2019)

Dir: MJ Dixon

Starring: Tatiana Ibba, Liza Keast

SPEEDY SYNOPSIS: I'll try not to spoil too much here but read on at your own risk.

Late one Halloween night, a lone woman, Roberta (Ibba) calls at the house of a medium, Madam Brenda (Keast) in search of answers.

Seen packing a handgun in her handbag before leaving her car, Roberta is desperate to locate a missing item and clearly means business, and as Brenda lays a piece of lace across the floor, chants 'Who do you want me to be?' and consults tarot cards, we soon realise that she has come to the right place.

As the voices of trick-or-treaters are heard having fun under the cold October night sky, Brenda explains that Halloween is the time at which the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest and, if you wish to contact one of the dearly departed, this is the night to do so.

But the dead have some tricks of their own...

WHY IT WORKS: Halloween is a great time for horror fans and The Thinning Veil does a wonderful job of evoking the spirit of the season (excuse the pun) while delivering a sterling tale with a couple of deft twists and turns all in less than 10 minutes.

I've expressed my admiration of the way in which director MJ Dixon uses a rich and stylised colour palette when shooting his films, and this is no different, shot with deep blues and rich oranges. It's touches like these that elevate Mycho's output far beyond its humble resources. 

Dixon's film looks fantastic while never drawing the focus from his two splendid leading ladies.

Essentially a two-person cast, the film relies heavily on Ibba and Keast delivering, and, thankfully, both do so with ease.

Ibba will be familiar to fans of Mycho's fun comedy/slasher hybrid, Pandamonium. She's excellent here, showing a tough edge but still portraying the essential vulnerability to make the story work. It's an assured and confident performance of a complex role and one that has me eager to see what she and Dixon can achieve together should they collaborate again in the future

Ibba is undoubtedly very, very good, and co-star Keast is simply fantastic. Madam Brenda is a wonderful character (and one I'd love to see more of in the extended Mychoverse). Having worked with Dixon before on both Slasher House II and The Haunting Of Molly Bannister, the director clearly trusts her, and with good reason. 

Keast imbues the character with gentle down-to-earth warmth and a creepy otherworldliness in equal measure. It's a joy to watch her character's impressive arc in a mere nine minutes.

Both actresses provide really nuanced performances, which is essential to telling Dixon's story.

On the surface, The Thinning Veil may appear to be a simple and rather traditional ghost story (I shan't discuss the exact details of the story so as to avoid spoiling your viewing experience) however, it does such a wonderful job of hiding that fact until the moment the trap snaps shut that it feels like so much more.

Furthermore, the subtle touches throughout, especially with regards to Madam Brenda's summoning ritual make for some brilliant world-building, suggesting there are plenty more fascinating stories for the character to be told if Dixon ever wants to return to The Thinning Veil.

Of course, the purpose of horror is to scare, to shock and frighten, and I'm delighted to say that this short contains quite possibly the most chilling shot Dixon has ever produced. It raised hairs on the back of my neck and I can imagine it would be amazing to behold on a large screen, should you get the opportunity to do. Blood-curdling stuff!

In short, this indie gem is a brilliant and spine-chilling ode to Halloween and an absolute must-see.

SO WHERE'S IT AT? The film has been selected for several film festivals and is available to Mycho's Patreon patrons. Until then you can check out the trailer for the short right here or read more about it at Mycho's official website https://mycho.weebly.com/. 

10 WORD WRAP-UP: Atmospheric UK indie short provides some excellent twists and chills

If you haven’t already, do please check out and like the Hickey’s House of Horrors Facebook page, which you can find here. It gives you a nice quick link to any new posts on this blog, plus regular news updates from around the web. I check the Internet so you don’t have to! Alternatively, follow me on twitter: The House@HickeysHorrors

Until next time, I hope you enjoyed your stay.

RAW REVIEW: PANDAMONIUM (2020)

Long term readers of this blog will be all too aware of my love for Mycho, the independent cinematic universe helmed by the extremely talented MJ Dixon.

With a whopping eight feature-length films already released, ranging from typical throwback slashers to psychological thrillers, from sci-if infused action flicks to supernatural chillers, the Mychoverse is a rich interconnected viewing experience.

Now, ahead of its premiere at the 2020 Horror-On-Sea Festival, Dixon and co offered me a chance to look at their latest effort in yet another sub-genre.

Pandamonium expands on the story of Slasher House II’s stripper hating, panda mask-wearing Jakob Jakushi - this time going the comedy-horror route.

Would Dixon’s talents lend themselves to giggles as well as gore?

Read on...


PANDAMONIUM (2020)



Dir: MJ Dixon

Stars: Oriana Charles, Will Jones, David Hon Ma Chu, James Hamer-Morton, Lee Mark Jones, Derek Nelson, William Marshall, Dani Thompson, Chloe Badham, Charlie Bond, Tatiana Ibba, Annie Knox, Nad Abdoolakhan, Martin W Payne, Pablo Raybould, Charlie Clarke, Susan Lee Burton


SPEEDY SYNOPSIS: I’ll try not to spoil too much here but continue at your own risk.

Arielle (Charles) has landed an admin job at top law firm Killmore & Percival. However, rather than be overjoyed at her big break she comes to realise that she is now working with a group of hard-drinking, drug-using, sexist city boys, headed up by the truly obnoxious Damian Hook (Hamer-Morton).

Forced to work late on her first day, she finds a sympathetic fellow new starter, Daniel (Jones) but things soon unravel when Damian and his cronies hire a team of strippers lead by tough as nails Jasmine (Thompson) - who lets slip a secret about Arielle’s past.

However, the arrival of Jasmine and her crew spells trouble in more ways than one - they have drawn the attention of the notorious Stripper Ripper, panda-mask wearing Jakob Jakushi (Hon Ma Chu). Now with a prime selection of victims assembled in one place, Jakushi won’t rest until he has killed them all - and anybody who gets in his way.





THE BEST BITS (mild spoiler warning): I’ve always been a fan of Mycho’s darker more serious films - as my glowing reviews of grim psychological thriller Hollower and the spookily supernatural Bannister DollHouse will attest. So I approached Dixon’s first crack at full-on comedy with some trepidation.

Thankfully, my fears were utterly misplaced. Of course, some of the wisecracks that he has written for his teen characters and the always acid-tongued Red are side-splitters, but even they could not have prepared me for how smoothly the Mycho team have made the transition to humour.

It’s a non-stop barrage of gags, some well-performed physical comedy and just enough black humour to keep things suitably dark for a movie about a misogynistic panda-headed serial killer.

That’s not to say that the script is all fluff - there’s a strong theme of female empowerment throughout (as there so often is in the Mychoverse works) which might come as a shock to those who will inevitably make snap judgements after reading the synopsis, and some surprising emotional depth to boot.

It’s easy to care for characters when they are written so well and portrayed as brilliantly as they are here.

The frankly wonderful Charles gives what might be my favourite performance in a Mycho movie yet. Her well-rounded character is given plenty to do over her arc and whether she is inspiring sympathy or awestruck admiration, she manages it effortlessly. This is one actress I cannot wait time to see more of.

Equally great is young Tom Hardy-alike Will Jones, who shows real likeability along with serious acting chops. Remember that name, he’s going places.

I also loved the work of Thompson who manages to inject some nice humorous moments into her tough girl performance. I’m crossing all non-essential appendages that we’ll see her cross paths with Red one day.

Speaking of comedy, none deliver as many laughs as our deplorable city boys, with Hamer-Morton chewing the scenery with great aplomb every time he’s on screen. He reminds me of Ralph Inneson’s Chris Finch from The Office - a huge twat but so unapologetically awful you can’t help but grin every time he pops up.

The same holds for the delightfully deranged Lee Mark Jones and Nelson. The pair were in some of the funniest moments in the movie, and while they may not have been the subtlest characters their OTT energy was precisely what the film needed. Bravo gents.

Rounding out the frightful foursome was a familiar Mycho face in the form of Marshall. He’s great too as are the other returning Mycho alum.

Regular readers will know how much of a fan I am of the terrifically talented Badham - so I was delighted to see her back again - while a welcome albeit short appearance by the great Payne also added massively to the film.

In truth there are no weak links - Bond, Ibba and Abdoolakhan are all ace - but one of the very biggest pleasures came from seeing the return of the incredible David Hon Ma Chu. A horror movie is as only as good as its threat - and in this case, we have a superb performance. He made a big impression during his extended cameo at the beginning of Slasher House II - here he has so much more to do and really makes the most of it. It’s difficult to portray a character when your facial expressions are covered all the time, but his laconic and derisive delivery makes for a chillingly realistic yet bizarrely charming psychopath. He makes Jakushi a Ted Bundy-like bear headed buddy and it totally works. A post-credits message suggests there might be more to come for this character - if David Hon Ma Chu is attached then count me in.

It’s not just the wit, warmth and performances that make Pandamonium a must watch - the film never forgets that a horror movie needs scares too. There are some tense set-pieces scattered throughout the film, shot with Dixon’s usual impeccable timing and eye for framing, and the kills are shockingly brutal at times.

Dixon’s eye-catching use of colour (a trademark in Mycho’s output) is as on point as ever while the snappy editing (especially during a Commando-esque tooling up sequence involving office stationery) gives an already electric flick even more energy.

THE WORST BITS (mild spoiler warning): It is becoming boring to write this caveat to low budget indie horror, but once again I need to stress that Pandamonium was a labour of love assembled on a shoestring budget. The cost of this movie is probably less than that spent on catering for your typical big studio Hollywood horror movie.

Pandamonium looks fantastic for a film with such humble resources - but it is still a low-budget film. This means that at times it can become a little rough around the edges. Please do adjust your expectations accordingly- it’s very much worth it.

For example, the offices of celebrated law firm Killmore & Percival don’t exactly suggest the workplace of a top affluent business. There are no wide bright marble hallways or pristine boardrooms with huge mahogany tables. Instead, it’s a more typical looking office setting. I’m sure with a bigger location budget and unlimited research time Dixon would have shot in a building straight out of LA Law. Instead, the Mycho team did what they do best - take what is available and scale it up to purpose. This is just one more reason to praise their work, not a stick to beat them with.

While I praised the work of the larger cast, it does feel as if a few characters could have used a little more screen time. Of course, when you have a slasher movie you need bodies to up the body count, but it does feel as if a couple of characters have little more than a few minutes of meaningful screen time before they are dispatched. This is a tough one to address - make the movie much longer and it can risk feeling bloated. Ultimately I suppose this is a testimony to Dixon’s characters - the only flaw I could find was that I wanted more!




THE VERDICT: For the last few years MJ, Anna and their team at Mycho have asked me to check out their latest movies ahead of their big premieres at the Horror On Sea Festival in Southend each January. And every year I have been inspired to write ebulliently positive reviews for their efforts.

This streak continues with Pandamonium.

Die Hard meets Severance by way of Halloween, this mishmash of mirthful and murderous mayhem is a resounding hit. Great comedy, superb performances, some killer horror sequences and a lightning pace that never lets up make this another indie must-see from Mycho.

Trust me in this case you will have no choice but to grin and ‘bear’ it!

Pandamonium will premiere at Horror on Sea on 18 January. You can buy tickets for the event here.

In the meantime, why not read more about the movie at its official Facebook page. Or better yet, hit up the Mycho Patreon and help them create more quality indie horror.

If you haven’t already, do please check out and Like the Hickey’s House of Horrors Facebook page, which you can find here. It gives you a nice quick link to any new posts on this blog, plus regular news updates from around the web. I check the Internet so you don’t have to! Alternatively, follow me on twitter: The House @HickeysHorrors

Until next time, I hope you enjoyed your stay.

RAW REVIEW: CLEAVERS: KILLER CLOWNS

The second part of my double-bill of reviews for films by the talented folk at Mycho sees us return to the story of Carlton Layton A.K.A. Cleaver the killer clown.

With the character first appearing in Slasher House, then his own movie Cleaver: Rise Of The Killer Clown, he’s become a real cornerstone of the burgeoning Mychoverse.

So is this Cleaver razor sharp? Or is the whole thing getting rusty?

Read on...

CLEAVERS: KILLER CLOWNS (2019)

Dir: MJ Dixon
Stars: Georgie Smibert, Gemma Louise Troughton, Paul Rogers, Jessica Michelle Smith, Holly-Anne Dodkins, Kimberley Lasi, Matthew Baunsgard, Derek Nelson, Olivia Krys, Jimi James, Ben Manning, Chloe Badham

SPEEDY SYNOPSIS: I’ll try not to spoil too much here but continue at your own risk. Also, this is a direct sequel to Cleaver: Rise Of The Killer Clown, so it will spoil that movie. You have been warned.

Continuing shortly after the blood-thirsty events of the first Cleaver, the film opens in 1995 as police officers Jody-Ann (Georgie Smibert) and her partner Hatcher (Jimi James) are on the trail of notorious murderer Carlton Layton (this time played by Paul Rogers). Upon locating his battered old ice-cream truck, the officers fall afoul of Cleaver and his recently recruited daughter Mary-Beth (Holly-Anne Dodkins).

Five years later Jody-Ann is still searching for her missing partner, causing a great deal of discomfort with local law enforcement in each town she stops at.
The situation only worsens when she is responsible for the capture of a woman named Misty (Gemma Louise Troughton) who claims to have inside knowledge as to the whereabouts of Cleaver. Out for revenge herself, Misty wants out of jail in exchange for the information - putting Jody-Ann in a tough position.

Meanwhile recovering drug addict Tanya (Jessica Michelle Smith) is on a trip through the Mid West with her family, inept dad Larry (Matthew Baunsgard), oafish brother Artie (Derek Nelson), Artie’s infuriating girlfriend Chase (Olivia Krys) and bossy new stepmother Tiffany (Kimberly Lasi) who is just a couple of years older than Tanya.

With tensions already running high, the family cross paths with a seemingly lost and innocent Mary-Beth. As they descend on an isolated farmhouse, they have no idea what awaits them...

THE BEST BITS (mild spoiler warning): As I wrote in my recent review for Mycho’s fantastic Bannister DollHouse, the rapidly expanding Mychoverse affords the company plenty of opportunities to diversify their genre offerings. The original Cleaver was a babysitter in peril flick that paid loving homage to the grandfather of that sub-genre, Halloween. CleaverS branches out into another popular Slasher domain, the grimy grindhouse road trip, as inspired by the classic Texas Chain Saw Massacre.

It’s an inspired touch, giving the movie a completely different yet still cohesive feel to what has come before. This is in no small part due to Dixon’s assured direction. CleaverS is clearly another labour of love for the microbudget maestro, and that care practically radiates out of the screen.

Considering their decidedly meagre resources, the films in the Mychoverse are always great looking. Mycho movies often have a Bava or Argento-esque style of lighting, with bold colour palettes and striking framing. There are shots in this movie, such as the moment in which the police officers discover Cleaver’s seemingly abandoned ice cream truck, that are among the very finest Dixon has ever shot.

Of course, visuals alone are not enough to carry a film - it requires a strong plot. CleaverS is one of the most complex storylines to come from the minds of the folks at Mycho, as evidenced by the sizeable cast. More importantly, each character serves a purpose other than to ratchet up the body count. There are proper character arcs for everybody and more than a few surprises along the way.

CleaverS also explores some fascinating themes, especially that of fatherhood and the role a dad should play in protecting his children. This is best evidenced in the contrasts between cheery but weak Larry and his dysfunctional family and the psychotic but doting Layton.

One might not expect a movie titled CleaverS: Killer Clowns to tackle such weighty subjects, but Mycho has and done it well to boot.

Of course, this is a horror movie - and a killer clown one at that -so it’s not all gentle chin-stroking and stirring monologues about the futility of it all. We get plenty of kills along the way, with Cleaver and his little protege showing off their warped sense of humour with a series of deadly ‘prank’ style traps. Cleavers are all well and good but strategically placed piano wire shows true artistry!

These kills would be for naught if we don’t care about the characters getting offed, and despite the size of the cast, Dixon does a pretty good job of getting us onboard (or dead set against) them.

It helps that he has assembled such a strong cast - especially in his core group of leading ladies.

Smibert, Troughton, Smith, and Lasi are all fantastic, each bringing something different to the film, but complementing one another perfectly. I for one hope we will see plenty more from this talented group of actresses.

The same can be said for Dodkins who is clearly having a ball in her Harley Quinn-like role. I've got a sneaking suspicion the folks at Mycho aren’t done with her just yet, and I thoroughly approve.

I was also glad to see familiar Mycho face Chloe Badham pop up again. It’s little more than an extended cameo, but she is great once again.

And it’s not just the female cast members that bring their A-game.

Baunsgard is awesome, bringing several layers to his portrayal of Larry, and nailing it throughout.

Rogers also delivers in a major way.
(Ok, you’ll have to forgive this one but I’ve been dying to make this pun ever since I heard the role of Cleaver was being recast ) with Andrew M Greenwood stepping down as the lead antagonist, Rogers had some, ahem, ‘big shoes’ to fill.
Thankfully he does not disappoint. He manages to channel the essence of the character so the transition is not too jarring, but he also manages to bring some fresh ideas to the part, making it his own rather than a pale imitation.
Rogers is just one more reason why CleaverS connects.

More than any other movie in the Mychoverse to date, CleaverS feels most like an ensemble piece. This means the characters tend to get more to do, and also ups the danger levels as we are never truly sure who will make it out alive. It’s this level of danger and breakneck pave that propel us on towards some very dark revelations - including one that hints at some fascinating possibilities for the series moving forward.

Finally, I think real credit is due to Dixon for so effectively portraying his locations as those on an entirely different continent. I don’t think it will come as a huge surprise to hear that he didn’t fly his cast and crew over to the Mid West to shoot the film, instead cleverly using smartly dressed British rural locations and some expert tweaks on the colour scale to capture that sun-baked feeling. It’s truly masterful sleight of hand and warrants appreciation.
Bravo!

THE WORST BITS (mild spoiler warning): A regular point I have to make when reviewing indie horror flicks is that the comparatively low budgets can often leave movies feeling decidedly less slick than the sort of James Wan produced/directed multiplex offerings you’ll find on nationwide release. So consider that point raised here.

Also, do please bear in mind that, while I praised CleaverS for making use of a sizeable and talented cast, the brisk pace of the film did leave me wishing that I could have seen a little more of some of them. Still, it’s a surefire sign of a good thing if you’re left wanting more!

Speaking of the cast, there are a couple of occasions on which this very British group of actors wobble with their American accents. However, I think it’s a testimony to their ability that these times are so few and far between.

Now, while not a weakness per se, I do feel a need to once again stress that this is a sequel. As such, some familiarity with its predecessor is definitely necessary to get the most out of CleaverS. It’s not impossible to keep up - and the clever opening scene does a pretty great job at bringing any newcomers up to date - but I’d recommend this as part of a double-Bill before calling a stand-alone. So why don’t you pick up a region-free copy of the superb Cleaver here before checking out the sequel at Horror-on-Sea in January?

Finally, and this is very much an issue of personal taste, it feels like CleaverS could have been a bit gorier. The title lends itself to plenty of bloody onscreen carnage, as does the throwback feel to genre classics such as TCM and The Hills Have Eyes. It’s not that the film is bloodless - far from it, in fact, it features a couple of decidedly graphic kills - it just feels like it could have been a bit more splatter.

THE VERDICT: Right up until I watched CleaverS, I said that Mycho had never disappointed me.
After watching CleaverS... that STILL holds true! It’s a slick, sick, killer clown flick that highlights everything right with the Mychoverse. It looks great, it builds and expands on its own already fascinating universe and it doesn’t scrimp on the scares either! There are still places that this story can go, and I cannot wait for MJ, Anna and all the other good folk at Mycho to take us there.

That not one but two great Mycho flicks should come along at once is incredible - that CleaverS and Bannister DollHouse should deliver while being so very different from one another is nothing short of a wonder. Attendees at Southend’s Horror-on-Sea Festival have a real treat in store this January. Want to be one of them? Well, you can buy tickets at www.horror-on-sea.com.

Meanwhile, keep up with CleaverS news at Mycho’s official website at https://mycho.weebly.com. And check out their Patreon here.

If you haven’t already, do please check out and Like the Hickey’s House of Horrors Facebook page, which you can find here. It gives you a nice quick link to any new posts on this blog, plus regular news updates from around the web. I check the Internet so you don’t have to! Alternatively, follow me on twitter: The House @HickeysHorrors

Until next time, I hope you enjoyed your stay.

RAW REVIEW: BANNISTER DOLLHOUSE

Mycho Entertainment is a company that I can’t help but root for.

From humble roots, founder MJ Dixon has built an original horror shared universe, one made up of seven full length movies and a number of shorts.

That an indie company is able to achieve this is already an impressive feat, but what really stands out is that there has not been a single misfire to date.

So you can imagine my joy when Dixon offered The House an early look at his next two films in the series.

The first of these, Bannister DollHouse provides an origin for Slasherhouse II's extremely creepy Molly.

Would it continue the streak of hits? Read on...

BANNISTER DOLLHOUSE (2019)

Dir: MJ Dixon


Stars: Tiana Rogers, Grant Kempster, Susan Lee Burton, Emmeline Kellie, Chloe Badham


SPEEDY SYNOPSIS: I’ll try not to spoil too much here but continue at your own risk.

Bannister DollHouse continues the story started in the Mycho Patreon exclusive short Molly.

It features the Bannister family, dad Kenneth (Kempster), mother Mary (Burton), and their three daughters - Sherry (Badham), Dottie (Kellie) and Molly (Rogers).

Opening at Christmas, we witness a delighted Molly receive a gift of a decidedly unnerving doll from an unknown benefactor.

Of the immediate family, only the eldest daughter, the feisty Sherry, spots something amiss and (following the chilling events already witnessed during the short film Molly) decides to investigate. However, something has its eye on her, and her actions lead to tragedy.

A short while later the fractured family are still struggling to recover from the events of that fateful night. Ostracised Kenneth watches from afar, knowing that something is very very wrong with his youngest daughter.

But even the most devoted of family members cannot ignore the escalating oddness of Molly’s behaviour, forcing the Bannisters to confront the dark and insidious force that has targeted them...




THE BEST BITS (mild spoiler warning): One of the great strengths of Mycho’s expanded universe is that different movies give director Dixon a differential sub-genre to play in - from classic slashers, to sci-fiesque comicbook action flick, to dark psychological thriller, the Mychoverse is exceptionally diverse. Bannister DollHouse adds another new ‘flavour’ to the Mycho menu - the creepy supernatural chiller.

It reminds me a lot of Blumhouse style modern haunting movies, themselves heavily influenced by classics such as The Haunting, The Changeling and Poltergeist. I know some may find the comparison insulting, but as a fan of the likes of Insidious, Ouija (well, the origin movie anyway), The Conjuring and it’s own demon doll spin offs Annabelle (and it’s vastly superior prequel), this is actually high praise.

Bannister DollHouse exudes that throwback ‘spooky’ atmosphere - and is a real hit for it.

Dixon is a talented filmmaker and his movies always look great - his framing of shots and visually striking colour palettes have only become better with each passing movie. This could be the best looking Mycho movie yet. At times some shots look like paintings and the clever use of colour motifs really pops. Bravo!

Of course, good looks alone don’t make a good movie, there needs to be some substance too. Thankfully, Dixon’s script delivers. It’s a very different sort of story to those he usually tells - it’s less grounded and opens up a whole new corner of the Mychoverse (think of this as Mycho’s Dr Strange!)

However, there’s no awkwardness in the transition and Dixon proves just as adept at this type of horror story too. There’s also a strong focus on character in this story, giving us a reason to care about the Bannister clan before the inevitable bloodshed. Too often overlooked in our genre in the past, it’s great to see filmmakers taking the efforts to earn an emotional investment from the audience.

It certainly helps the cause that at the core of the movie there is a cast that are uniformly strong.

Making her return to the Mycho fold having previously portrayed Molly in both 2016’s Slasher House II and the aforementioned short film, Rogers is pivotal to the success of the film. It’s a complicated role requiring real range, and she manages it with aplomb. While I suspect Molly Bannister’s story may be all but told, I’m sure Dixon will find a way to use her again (she’s clearly a favourite having appeared in 2015’s Cleaver too). Fingers crossed!

Badham is another actress who Dixon has used multiple times and it’s easy to see why. She’s quite excellent and I think it’s telling that the only criticism I can find of her scenes is that I wish there were more of them!

Burton is also excellent and takes a role that could well have fallen flat in lesser hands to major beleaguered mum Mary one of the film’s more interesting characters. A classy actress to watch, she strengthens every scene she’s in.

Kempster is also great, and brings a nice degree of pathos to his role. Like both Rogers and Burton, his is a role that could decide whether the film holds up or falls down, and he shows he is more than up to the task with a nuanced performance.

Kellie has plenty of experience and is just as strong as the other actors, even if she does have a little less to do. She’s definitely one to watch.

Now, this isn’t a family drama - Mycho is an unapologetic creator of horror movies. A decent script and talented cast are all well and good, but what about the frights?

Well, I think a strong argument can be made that this is one of the scariest films in the series. Tonally it’s definitely closer to Mycho’s genuinely unnerving Hollower than the more fun and in your face Slasher House flicks.

There are some fantastically creepy set pieces and one of the more terrifying antagonists in the series - a demonic entity that is sure to chill the blood during each of its brief but memorable screen appearances.




THE WORST BITS (mild spoiler warning): Honestly, it feels churlish to find fault with a film like Bannister DollHouse, one that achieves so much with so little. In fact I’d go so far as to say that everything in this section of the review will amount to little more than nitpicking, but that is my job after all.

I have referred to MJ Dixon as a microbudget maestro in the past. This is still true, but he is not a miracle worker. While I have likened Bannister DollHouse to the glossy output of Blumhouse, I do feel it is is worth stressing that is a low budget British indie horror movie without the substantial resources of colossal Hollywood studios. Yes it looks good, but do please adjust your expectations accordingly.

Another quibble I have, is with some of the humour injected into proceedings at times. I understand that a film as dark and grim as this needs the tension to be broken at times, but some of the wisecracks felt a little jarring. Sadly the delivery just felt a little off on a couple of occasions too. Perhaps I was just in the mood to be scared? Nonetheless these instances were few and far between and certainly not a big enough deal to have much of an affect on my enjoyment of the film.

Finally, as mentioned above, this is the latest chapter in an ongoing story of many chapters. First time Mycho viewers may find themselves a little daunted. Yes, this is a movie that rewards familiarity with the Mycho brand. However, this is not the equivalent of walking into Infinity War having never seen a Marvel Studios movie.

In fact, Bannister DollHouse is one of the best Mychoverse pictures from a stand-alone basis - and a lack of familiarity with Slasher House II would actually make the entire last act significantly more surprising! But do watch Molly to get the full story - and give those talented Mycho folk a bit more Patreon support while you’re at it.




THE VERDICT: I often review Mycho’s movies positively here at The House. I make no secret of my admiration for what MJ, Anna, and their network of talented collaborators have achieved.

But do not let that trick you into thinking that the movies they create are not worthy of the praise I give them - especially this one.

Putting it simply, Bannister DollHouse is one of the best movies they have made, and a genuine must-see. It’s a dark, creepy spookfest with enough frights to chill the most hardened of horror-loving hearts.

With a superb cast, visuals and plot, this is the real deal - and more than worthy of the Mycho name.

The next effort CleaverS has certainly got its work cut out following this - stay tuned to see how it fares.


Both Bannister DollHouse and CleaverS will have their world premieres at the Horror-on-Sea festival at Southend’s Park Inn Palace Hotel in January. You can buy tickets at www.horror-on-sea.com.


Meanwhile, keep up with Bannister DollHouse news at Mycho’s official web site at https://mycho.weebly.com. And check out their Patreon here.


If you haven’t already, do please check out and Like the Hickey’s House of Horrors Facebook page, which you can find here. It gives you a nice quick link to any new posts on this blog, plus regular news updates from around the web. I check the Internet so you don’t have to! Alternatively, follow me on twitter: The House @HickeysHorrors


Until next time, I hope you enjoyed your stay.