“I’m not in the business of murdering innocent children. That’s God’s jurisdiction.” – The Devil

Story: Three people head to bloody ends, but then suddenly find themselves in a strange carnival where they’re forced to relive what they did wrong in their lives. All the while, the carnies sing and dance.

Scares: More a cautionary tale than horror show.

Splat factor: Some gore here and there, but nothing major.

Closing scene “shocker”: There’s a head – scratcher of an ending, and a end credits scene (with the most beautiful song of the bunch), but no big “surprise!” moment.

Remake, Sequel or OG (Original Ghoul): The first of a possible series. (There’s a part two in the works.)

Trick or Treat?: Remind you of Repo – The Genetic Opera? Well give the little lady a kewpie doll, you’re hot! The Devil’s Carnival is directed by Darren Lynn Bouseman, of Repo and Saw II, III and IV fame. The art direction echoes Repo, with it’s dystopian, graffiti filled world.

The songs are spot on for these morality plays. I only wish the sound editing was better done, because I had to strain to catch some of the lyrics with all the competing sounds in the film. But for a film that covers little known the Aesop Fables “The Scorpion and the Frog”, “The Dog and It’s Reflection” and “Grief and His Due”, I’m happy to watch this again. Plus, it’s only 56 minutes? Easy-peasy.

Speaking of easy, the songs here are crazy addictive, with some as narrative and others as dialog. It’s fun to look at too, with beautiful costuming and actors that are obviously having a ball. (Including Sons of Anarchy‘s Dayton Callie as the wise, cautionary Ticket Taker.) I’m betting on an earworm or two for the next few weeks. Prick, prick, prick goes the scorpion’s tail….

Score:  out of 5 pumpkins.