This 9-Year-Old 59% RT Zero-Budget Movie Is Still One Of The Most Entertaining Horror Comedies Of All Time

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Though comedy and horror seem very different, they actually have a lot in common. Both genres can cause a strong, physical response from viewers. The quick shift between laughter and screams is what makes horror-comedy films so enjoyable.

Many genuinely frightening horror comedies use a clever trick: they start with humor to make the scares even more impactful. When the audience feels safe laughing, sudden shocks or classic horror moments become much more effective. The balance between fear and fun varies in these films, as each one finds the tone that best fits its story.

Great horror comedies skillfully balance humor and fear by letting the audience laugh at the scary parts. Many horror movie plots are actually quite silly, and with a few changes to the filming, music, and editing, they could easily become comedies. A film from 2017 provides a perfect example of this.

The VelociPastor Is A Wild Zero-Budget Horror Movie

Just the premise of The VelociPastor promises non-stop laughs. The movie centers on a priest named Doug Jones (played by Gregory James Cohan) who goes to China to come to terms with his parents’ sudden death in a car accident. Things take a wild turn when he discovers he can transform into a Velociraptor, and decides to use his new ability to fight criminals.

At first, Doug was scared to use his abilities – they really frightened him! But this incredible woman, she’s a sex worker and a lawyer working on her medical degree, talked him into using them to help people. That’s when things got wild – we ran into ninjas! Turns out, the Church was hiring them to deal drugs in our neighborhood, hoping to get more people to attend services.

You can never quite guess what’s going to happen in The VelociPastor, and even though the premise sounds strange, it’s surprisingly entertaining. A big part of the enjoyment comes from trying to make sense of the movie’s bizarre events and piece together the story.

The Movie’s Comedy Initially Seems Unintentional

Throughout the movie, audiences are more likely to laugh at “The VelociPastor” than with it, largely due to its low budget forcing some bizarre and excessive creative decisions. Despite this, the film’s constant stream of jokes, especially its wildly over-the-top dialogue, has a certain charm that’s best experienced firsthand.

The script is as hilarious as the movie’s deliberately cheesy special effects, filled with quirky characters and playful humor. Despite not expecting much, The VelociPastor actually works because of its wildly exaggerated story. It’s entertaining, and a more serious, high-budget approach would have actually missed the point.

The VelociPastor Demonstrates The Strengths Of Zero-Budget Filmmaking

Viewers of The VelociPastor consistently point to the scene where Doug’s parents die as a favorite. Instead of actually showing a burning car after the explosion, the film displays a title card reading, “VFX: Car On Fire.” While the scene could have highlighted Doug’s reaction, the filmmakers opted for this intentionally silly on-screen text.

The movie feels like the director is playfully challenging viewers to forget everything they think they know about filmmaking and just enjoy the fun. These kinds of quirky tricks only really work because the film was made with almost no money. The VelociPastor doesn’t try to seem polished or expensive – its main goal is to make people laugh.

The VelociPastor Deserves Its Cult Classic Status

While film critics weren’t overly enthusiastic about The VelociPastor, it almost qualifies as ‘fresh’ on Rotten Tomatoes with a 59% rating. The movie’s lighthearted and unconventional storytelling demonstrates that fully embracing even the most ridiculous ideas can lead to genuinely fun entertainment.

Even though the movie’s concept is unusual, it’s surprisingly fun to watch. Hopefully, it will remain a cult classic, showing just how wild and lighthearted a horror comedy can be. The VelociPastor has rightfully earned its fanbase, who appreciate it as a testament to creativity and dedication, even on a small budget.

The VelociPastor’s Sincerity Makes Its Humor Refreshing

Today’s comedy often looks inward and is intentionally understated, and this style is likely to be remembered as the hallmark of the 2020s. While comedy frequently tackles difficult topics like death – a natural response to recent events – something completely wild and unpredictable, like The VelociPastor, is a refreshing break from the norm.

What makes The VelociPastor work is its unwavering commitment to its own silliness. The movie is so sure of itself and its jokes that it effortlessly entertains audiences. The filmmakers aren’t afraid to embrace how ridiculous things get, and that dedication to fun is what makes it a truly enjoyable horror-comedy.

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2026-02-28 02:23