“Executed… but not finished.”
Some VHS covers practically demanded your attention. The Horror Show (1989) was one of them. Brion James’ twisted grin, glowing eyes, and the promise of supernatural revenge made it impossible to pass by without taking a closer look.
Detective Lucas McCarthy finally captures the sadistic serial killer Max Jenke and watches him die in the electric chair. End of story… or so everyone thinks. Soon after the execution, a new wave of gruesome murders begins, and McCarthy realizes Jenke has somehow returned to finish what he started.
Part supernatural thriller and part slasher, The Horror Show wastes little time getting to the chaos. Brion James chews every scene as the unstoppable Max Jenke, while Lance Henriksen gives the movie just enough grounded emotion to keep the increasingly bizarre story believable.
I always remembered seeing this tape sitting on the shelf beside Shocker, and for good reason. Both movies take the idea of an executed killer returning for revenge in wildly supernatural directions. If you enjoy this kind of over-the-top late-’80s horror, be sure to check out our VHS Vault review of Shocker (1989) after you’re done here.
Released internationally as House III, this underrated cult favorite has slowly earned appreciation from horror fans who enjoy practical effects, larger-than-life villains, and supernatural slashers that aren’t afraid to get weird.
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The Horror Show (1989)A detective believes he has finally stopped a brutal serial killer—until the executed murderer returns as a supernatural force determined to finish the job. Watch or Buy on Amazon |
Vault Quick Stats
Body Count: Max Jenke wastes no time.
Electric Chair Effectiveness: Not recommended.
Prison Security: Failed spectacularly.
Brion James Intensity: Maximum overload.
Nightmare Fuel: Higher than expected.
Fun Fact: Although released as The Horror Show in the United States, the film was marketed internationally as House III despite having no story connection to the first two House movies.
Extra Trivia: Lance Henriksen and Brion James had already established themselves as memorable character actors, and their performances elevate the film far beyond its straightforward supernatural slasher premise.
Legacy: Once overlooked during the crowded horror boom of the late ’80s, The Horror Show has found a loyal cult audience that appreciates its practical effects, memorable villain, and unapologetically supernatural approach to the slasher genre.
Some killers refuse to stay dead. Max Jenke refuses to stay gone.
Why The Horror Show Is Worth Watching
Lance Henriksen Holds It Together
Lance Henriksen gives Detective Lucas McCarthy a level of realism that keeps the increasingly supernatural story grounded. His determination, fear, and frustration make the battle against Max Jenke feel personal rather than over-the-top.
Practical Effects Steal the Show
Electric executions, gruesome murders, ghostly apparitions, and imaginative practical effects give The Horror Show the larger-than-life energy horror fans expect from the late ’80s. It’s messy, ambitious, and proudly embraces its supernatural premise.
A Cult Favorite Worth Revisiting
Overshadowed by bigger horror franchises when it was released, The Horror Show has quietly become a favorite among fans who appreciate supernatural slashers, practical effects, and villains with larger-than-life personalities.
Rewind or Fast Forward?
Rewind. The Horror Show delivers everything fans of late-’80s supernatural horror could want: a memorable villain, strong performances, creative effects, and enough outrageous moments to earn its place as a forgotten VHS favorite. If you missed this one the first time around, it’s well worth another trip to the video store.
Watch It
If you’re in the mood for a supernatural slasher packed with practical effects and a scenery-chewing villain, it’s time to put The Horror Show back into your VHS rotation.
Watch The Horror Show on AmazonThe Horror Show Official Trailer
Watch the original trailer and revisit this overlooked supernatural slasher that proved the electric chair wasn’t enough to stop Max Jenke.
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