Book Review: How to Make A Horror Movie and Survive by Craig DiLouie
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
How to Make A Horror Movie and Survive by Craig DiLouie
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Redhook (June 18, 2024)
Length: 320 pages
Author Information: Website
Last year I read Episode Thirteen, my first Craig DiLouie book, and loved it. So it was not surprising at all that I also greatly enjoyed How to Make A Horror Movie and Survive, another meta-style horror novel that dives into the process of filmmaking.
Our story introduces us to Max Maury, a horror movie director who also sees himself as something of an artist with a vision to create a film that transcends the genre. However, his goal to serve up true unfiltered terror has been somewhat derailed by his own success. After his first “Jack the Knife” movie became a runaway hit in the late 70s, giving way to multiple sequels, Max finds himself growing increasingly disillusioned with the commercial direction the franchise has taken. He’s not here to create crowd-pleasers when genuine, visceral fear is what he’s going for, and it is in pursuing this artistic ambition when Max stumbles upon the urban legend of “Mary’s Birthday,” a film that was allegedly never released because it captured the deaths of its entire cast and crew in a gory freak accident.
But in fact, the story of this lost film is very real, something Max discovers when he acquires the director’s camera from an estate sale. Not only that, but there is also something seriously wrong with it, perhaps even giving some insight into the horrific fate that befell everyone connected to “Mary’s Birthday.” To Max though, the camera presents a unique opportunity to achieve everything he’s ever dreamed of, and there is no line he wouldn’t cross to make the perfect horror movie.
For the past few years, I’ve been noticing a growing trend of horror novels featuring stories involving the film industry. I find most of these read like love letters to the genre, so it’s interesting to me that DiLouie tackles these themes from a filmmaking angle with analysis on the anatomy of a horror movie. While the premise itself is a bit of a mindfuck, flagrantly packed with uncomfortably visceral moments and graphic violence (in a way that’s very much in keeping with Max Maury’s original vision for his own work), the plot is well structured and written in a way that kept me hooked.
As I alluded to above, the meta-narrative adds an extra layer of fascination and complexity to the story by engaging the reader’s awareness. Max is an appalling protagonist to be sure, but also extremely well developed. Since this review is spoiler-free, I’ll just say that the character’s overall arc is both gripping and unsettling; it’s unclear where his real experiences and twisted ambitions begin to blur with the horrifying art he is attempting to create.
Overall, I still believe Episode Thirteen was a better book by a smidgen, but I was definitely not disappointed with my second venture into Craig DiLouie’s work. The author is a credit to the world of horror fiction, and How to Make A Horror Movie and Survive is another standout entry offering a compelling blend of suspense, chills, and insightful commentary the genre.
The BiblioSanctum 
You know, you have slooowly made me try more horror. It just takes a few years for me to try lol
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I ffeel it’s easier these days to get into horror when the genre seems to be exploding!
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I quite enjoyed this new DiLouie book: apart from the analisys of what makes horror “tick”, I liked the underlying commentary on the Hollywood scene and its surface glitter that barely hides another kind of horror underneath…
Thanks for sharing!
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Agreed. So far I’ve only read his horror, I really want to try his work in another genre 🙂
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Please, tell me that the snotty “arteest” movie director dies. That’s all I want to know….
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Well, no spoilers from me, but I think the ending would have made you very very happy 🙂
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I can now rest easy for the remainder of today 🙂
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This was really fun, and a very different take on the “cursed movie” trope. He never writes the same story, so I always look forward to his next book!
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Me ttoo, he’s become a must read author, and I will need to go back to his backlist.
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I remember your review of Episode Thirteen Mogsy! I am happy you loved his new book too even if it’s a tad less.
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Yes Episode Thirteen was a great book!!!
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I’ve got to try something by this author one of these days. Based on yours and others reviews I picked up ebooks of Episode Thirteen and Our War, just need to take the time to start reading. But also glad to see there’s another great one by him.
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I have a lot of his backlist on my shelf too that I have yet to read, and now I just make an effort to get to them. Our War is one of them!
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I’m glad you enjoyed this one, even if it wasn’t quite as much as the authors other book. From what you’ve said i get the feeling that this might be a bit too grim for me but I do appreciate someone who can write a compelling yet unlikeable character. They can be so fascinating.
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Oh yes, this one’s definitely grim…and very violent!
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I think I would have really enjoyed this but simply had too many books already lined up.
Lynn 😀
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