Steph Cannon

Ah, those lazy, hazy, crazy days of Summer…a time when we can cast our worries aside for longer hours of sunshine and lackadaisical afternoons. It's a cherished few weeks of the year that can conjure memories of bare feet in grass, the allure of the neighborhood ice cream truck, and hours spent floating in the pool. No one would ever dare think of those months as anything that could be classified as horrific, would they?

Out of all the unstoppable threats that could come our way, weather is by far the most unpredictable. This is especially true in horror, despite the fact that maniacal killers and paranormal entities run rampant. Sure, those carry their own set of grisly, inescapable scenarios. Ultimately, though, there are a number of us who could outrun a savage murderer or fight back against a humanoid menace. The same could not be said if we were pitted against extreme natural elements.

In the plethora of horror subgenres out there today, one of the newer (and stranger) subjects is the “inanimate object comes to life and goes on a killing spree” fad. This started, mainly, with 2010’s Rubber, about a killer tire wreaking havoc, which has garnered divisive reviews but also managed to gain a cult following. Sometimes, an overtly campy storyline in horror can work beautifully, but only if it’s clear that the intent is more for laughs and less for chills.