SOMETIMES THEY COME BACK FOR MORE: LET’S LOOK SERIOUSLY AT A SERIOUSLY STUPID MOVIE

Okay, it's really not that stupid. Certainly not as silly or inept as other films that I've discussed under this banner. In turn, if you asked me to explain why I've watched this film over 40 times, I'm not sure if I could pinpoint a reason. I do always enjoy desolate, arctic horror movies, but it's not like this film is in the same league as Carpenter's or Hawks' versions of The Thing. The actors do a good job and I find them believable for the most part, but this is by no means a top notch cast. Why is this a "comfort" movie for me? Something I come back for time and again? Could it be...
                                                                     

   This is actually the 3rd film in the series based on the original Stephen King story. Strangely, I've never seen the other 2 movies, Sometimes They Come Back and Sometimes They Come Back Again nor have I read the original King novel, yet it makes little to no difference as this one stands alone and as far as I can tell doesn't continue any storylines from the book or the other films. This was a straight to video release and I'd guess it had the lowest budget of the trilogy. Because it's supposed to be a dark, cold, desolate setting, I think this lower budget actually helps make the film more atmospheric. Seriously, there's so much damn blowing snow that I actually shiver when I watch this. The excuse about solar power generators being unreliable is all the exposition that is required for the movie to not be well lit and it works. Between the snow, the darkness and the camera work, you aren't always sure just what you're seeing and that adds some confusion and suspense. Also because of the supernatural elements, you aren't sure what is real and what is a hallucination from a small exhausted, paranoid group of soldiers and mining personnel. Paranoia seems to be a constant in these arctic horror films and it definitely helps keep the story interesting as does the fast pacing...it doesn't drag in the least.

   I don't want to spoil the twist in the story, but its basic plot has to do with a secret military mining operation in Antarctica. Somebody goes a bit nuts and 2 special military operatives are called in to figure out what went wrong. Now I know this will come out of left field, but the whole fiasco is related to the return of Satan. Because of this, or perhaps because the writers needed to fill some time, we get ghosts, zombies and demons all combined to do battle with this small band of military personnel. We also get Satanic rituals and sacrifice along with the standard horror trope of ignorance and disbelief from those in power, so with all of this you're starting to see why it works so well as a horror flick. They just took like 10 of your standard horror ingredients, mixed them all together and came up with a decent movie. This certainly works for me, but I think it's mainly the atmosphere that makes me appreciate this one. Easily one of the most minimalist horror films consisting of 2 total locations - the mine and the sleeping quarters. This and the lack of lighting is obviously budget driven as most of the money went to the fairly recognizable cast and I truly believe more 21st century horror cinema could learn their lesson from this. Sometimes They Come Back For More also goes out of its way to appease those who want a happy ending and those who want a horrific ending. I'm not telling you this is the next Exorcist or anything, but ignore the idiots over at Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb and give this film a watch the next time you're in the mood for some simple, fast paced, to the point horror...I think you'll be very entertained.

Our heroes have arrived...did things just get better or worse?

Considering the color play with red & green, I'd guess the director liked Argento

You find most of the camp frozen, shot, poisoned from gas or all 3

I'm still not 100% on how these ancient Egyptian ghost girls fit in, but don't overthink it

There's probably 5 or 6 movies I enjoy that have a map with bloody pentagrams on it

Remember all those people who were dead? Um yeah...they're walking around

Probably the 2 most recognizable faces in the film and no surprise that they do a damn fine job

Yep, that's the Deep Space Nine gal under that awesome demonic makeup

The son of Satan is that guy from Blood In, Blood Out?

This ending reminds me a bit of the ending of Gladiator released about 9 months later