Directed by Dante Tomaselli
Review by David Carter


Released by Anchor Bay
Running Time: 80 minutes
Rating: NR
Color format: Color
Audio/Subtitles: English 5.1 Dolby Digital, 2.0 Dolby Surround Sound
Region Code: 1, NTSC
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen
16:9 Enhanced: No
Special Features: Director’s Commentary, “Dante Tomaselli and the Jersey Devil” – interview with director, Behind-the-scenes featurette, Poster and Still gallery
Trailer Online: No

There have long been rumors that something strange lives in the wooded Pinebarrens area of New Jersey. Legend has it that the woods are home to the Jersey Devil, a demonic winged creature that preys on humans. While accounts vary about the appearance and origin of the creature, the one known fact about the Jersey Devil is that it is one of America’s few “home-grown” monsters. The Jersey Devil legend has had a powerful effect on residents of the area and horror director Dante Tomaselli is no exception. With his third film, SATAN’S PLAYGROUND, Tomaselli pays tribute to the legendary creature and adds in some new horrific touches of his own.

The Bruno family is traveling through the back roads of New Jersey on their way to a vacation in the Pinebarrens. Donna and her sister Paula begin to get anxious when they begin hearing strange noises and find strange claw marks when they stop at an abandoned store. When they reach a particularly secluded area of the forest tragedy strikes and their car becomes stuck in the middle of the dirt road. Donna’s husband Frank sets off through the woods to find help, which he believes he’s found when he finds a cabin inhabited by an elderly woman named Ms. Leeds and her daughter. Things aren’t what they seem, and Frank is soon killed at the hands of the demented pair. Tired of waiting around, each member of the family in turn meets their fate at the hands of the Leeds family. That is except for Donna, who is able to escape their clutches and make it to safety. When she returns with the police, she finds that the murderous Leeds family isn’t the only thing in the Pinebarrens to be afraid of.

Tomaselli’s SATAN’S PLAYGROUND is straightforward horror film in the style of the seventies and eighties, which is a bit of a departure from his previous efforts. In fact, the film is to a large degree an homage to classic horror films. Tomaselli doesn’t attempt to conceal his influences, but rather makes these influences quite obvious through the casting. The film was heavily inspired by films like THE EVIL DEAD and THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE, and actors from both of those films have prominent roles in SATAN’S PLAYGROUND. The film seems to be tailored more for die-hard fans of such films than to casual viewers. For those die hard fans, the film’s many clichéd aspects will likely be enjoyable bits of nostalgia, much in the same way that Wes Craven’s SCREAM incorporated elements of well known slasher films.

Unlike SCREAM, SATAN’S PLAYGROUND is not an attempt to parody horror films, nor is it a post-modern take on the genre. It is a faithful recreation of a particular style of horror film, which to his credit Tomaselli pulls off masterfully. The problematic aspect of the film is that for all of its knowing references to other films, SATAN’S PLAYGROUND does not take the opportunity to build on their legacy by incorporating new ideas. Though very successful in establishing the look and feel of classic horror, many viewers may be left wanting more than just imitation.

Despite its low-budget roots, Anchor Bay gives SATAN’S PLAYGROUND a high-quality DVD release. The picture quality is outstanding and is head and shoulders above the expectations for independent horror films. Anchor Bay has also included some stills from the film and a behind-the-scenes look at production. For those interested in the motivations behind the film, there’s a full interview with director Tomaselli titled “Dante Tomaselli and the Jersey Devil.”

Fans of classic horror films will likely enjoy SATAN’S PLAYGROUND since it closely resembles many of those movies. Tomaselli has incorporated all of the better aspects of films like THE EVIL DEAD, such as the setting and the camera work, into an original storyline. The elements that cause some fans to love the film will likely be the same reasons that others dislike it, however. Regardless of which camp you fall into, it’s evident that SATAN’S PLAYGROUND is a very well made film and Tomaselli is a talented director with a lot of potential for future endeavors.