Tubi Thursday: Witchtrap (1989)

 After making it big with a hit Film (in this case Witchboard), what do you do?

The answer this time is keep the first half of the Title and go from there.  This is...

An evil guy's ghost is haunting a House and killing anyone who wants to live there.

In spite of that, the Owner (his Nephew) has turned it into a B&B.  Why not?

Since he can't get Guests who will die, he hires a trio of Psychics to check out the place.

He also hires a trio of former Cops/Security Personnel as well.

This is the kind of Film where we first see a Female Lead topless in a tub, so expect class.

Conflict arises as the Lead Cop is kind of definitely a complete asshole.  No qualifiers.

He, alongside Token Black Partner and Angry Boss, don't believe in Ghosts, but do believe in money.

I smell a Sitcom!

Attempts to contact the spirit work too well, while an attempt to trap him does not.

Oh well- it's not a matter of life and death.

Oh...never mind.

Bye, Linea!

As more people die in strange ways and they learn the secret of the Ghost Warlock's plan, will anyone be able to stop him?

To find out, stream the Film now.

A decent romp, but it definitely won't overshadow Witchboard.  Not that it didn't try to emulate that Film.  In fact, its original Title was changed TO Witchtrap to sound similar.  The VHS Box even felt the need to say 'Not a Sequel to Witchboard' on the back.

That said, it is the same Director and the same guy playing the evil Spirit.  Those are that guy's only real Acting Credits by the way (he died in February).  There must be a story behind that.

The Film itself is fine, but exposition-heavy at first courtesy of the Writer/Director- literally.  He had to fill in to replace the Actor in that part, so he exposition-dumps his own Script.  The dynamic is also weird early on as almost nobody gets along.  Why do I want to see these angry jerks survive?

The final product contains some key elements of a Cult Classic- a strange Plot, silly kills, an exploding head and a convoluted finale.  It is just the long trek to get there that's...not as great.  Oh well...

If you can get past not liking any of the Characters, this is fun.  It's a bit much by the end, but still fun.