A new Halloween-themed horror-comedy film streaming exclusively on Hulutransforms a traditional jack-o’-lantern into a terrifying antagonist. “Carved” tells the story of a small New England town recovering from a chemical spill where a strangely large pumpkin mutates and goes on a violent rampage.
The movie is set in 1993 in the fictional town of Cedar Creek, Massachusetts. The community is still rebuilding after a train derailed the year before, spilling unknown chemicals. Siblings Kira and Trevor are caring for themselves since losing their parents in the accident. As the town prepares for its annual Pumpkin Fest, local resident Clint finds an enormous, grotesque pumpkin and enters it in the carving contest.
Things take a dark turn when the mutated pumpkin springs to life. With tangled vines protruding from its eyes and mouth, it uses a bizarre spider-like movement to attack anyone who dares carve another pumpkin. Director Justin Harding, who adapted the film from his 2018 short, wanted to create a classic 1990s-style monster movie. He used practical puppetry effects and reversed camera shots for the pumpkin creature.
According to the plot, the pumpkin mutated as a result of chemical exposure from the previous year’s spill. It can burrow underground and track its victims. The film also introduces the idea of the monster breeding, as characters discover baby pumpkins threatening further harm.
Drawing from well-known monster movies of the 1980s and 90s, “Carved” balances horror and comedy through increasingly outrageous kills. While the pumpkin monster may not scare dedicated horror fans, the film’s commitment to practical effects makes it a notable addition to this year’s Halloween streaming options on Hulu.
