Review of Elvira's Haunted Hills (2002) by Carl M — 31 Jan 2013

Elvira's back in another kooky adventure! After being picked up on the road to Paris, she and her faithful servant Zou Zou are taken to the Castle Hellsubus, where they become entangled in an ancient family curse that involves the death of the late Lady Hellsubus.

Can the Mistress of the Dark free herself from the evil forces that have drawn her here? This thwarted production was a labor of love by Elvira star and creator Cassandra Peterson, who set off to revive the character on an independent budget this second time around.

While it may not stack up to her first film, there is certainly enough raunchy humor and wackiness to keep her fans more than entertained. Placing the character in a period setting is a brilliant move on her behalf, and the Gothic backdrop frequently references the classic Corman pictures from AIP.

Elvira's clever wit has mostly been replaced with sharp, cynical humor and cheap slapstick, however. Even her bulging bustline can't help save her from the Pit and the Pendulum in the film's grand finale! A cult-classic only amongst fans, but otherwise good for a few guilty laughs.