• LIKE on Facebook • FOLLOW on Twitter • FOLLOW on Instagram

• SUBSCRIBE on YouTube • BUY ME A COFFEE on Ko-Fi

Stars: Erica Papasergi, Matthew Stallings, Kate Ly Johnston
Director: Eric Yoder
Producer: NightTide Pictures

“No, like I said, he really is an angel.”

The first of a late-night Giallo Double-bill, The Old Man in the Rocking Chair is a short, yet lengthy tribute to the greatest of Giallo classics.

Erica Papasergi stars as Daria, a disgruntled house-keeper to the saggiest, wrinkliest old man imaginable… All he does is rock in his rocking chair, oblivious to the work of his house-keeper. Waiting for Lucio (Matthew Thomas Stallings) – a relative of the old man – to relieve her of such detrimental duties, she anticipates an evening of fun with her friend, Marilla (Kate Lý Johnston), but little do they know…a series of murders are about to take place, just as the old man rocks back and forth.

In terms of Giallo, The Old Man in the Rocking Chair exists between the pillars of insane rip-off and heartfelt love letter. To the untrained eye, this is an incredibly WILD and original violent horror. To fans of the Italian genre, we’ve seen all of this before, but that’s the idea – and it’s lovely for that. Part of the gag and spectacle is that you’ve seen this before, you’ve heard the music before, you recognise the POV shots etc… The exaggerated performances are tonally essential, too.

Whilst viciously violent, and utterly ridiculous at the same time, The Old Man in the Rocking Chair manages to establish itself as not only a worthy tribute, but one with an excellent production value. The practical FX are incredible. Ranging from camp to gory, this tribute horror delivers in quality.
However, despite its existence as a Giallo tribute, Eric Yoder’s creation manages to blend elements of the supernatural, too. Which, executed well, worked effectively. To many laughs, and much admiration, The Old Man in the Rocking Chair was a hit with the late night GASP! audience.

The Old Man in the Rocking Chair had an exclusive Manchester screening at GASP! Horror Film Festival 2024 on Friday 21st June.