Shudder’s Creepshow delivers on the horror visuals in its first episode

In less than 10 days, Shudder’s Creepshow reboot will officially premiere on the horror channel. Make sure you’re signed up. This is one you can’t miss!

I was able to watch the first episode of Shudder’s highly-anticipated new series, Creepshow. If the name sounds familiar, yes, it is a reboot of the original Creepshow movies! Each episode of this new horror anthology contains two stories. Some will be familiar and some are brand-new and written for the show.

In the first episode, we see the two stories “Gray Matter” and “The House of the Head.” “Gray Matter” is an adaptation of the original Stephen King story. “The House of the Head” was written by Josh Malerman (Bird Box).

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I preferred the first segment, “Gray Matter,” to the second. The story follows a son desperate to help his father, who suffers from a drinking problem that is only getting worse. If you’re a King fan, then you’ll be glad this is a show airing on a streaming service and not live. You’ll probably be pausing or rewinding the episode multiple times to catch all the King Easter Eggs. I know I was.

Actually, there are several moments in the 45-minute episode you may pause to read something or look closer at a moment. Creepshow does a great job of paying homage to the original movie with the inclusion of the familiar Creepshow Creep, who returns to host and jest.

The show also employs the usage of comic panels to take you into each story world as if you’re truly being told a story, minus the narration. Many of these moments will be a fun dose of nostalgia for fans of the original. If you haven’t seen the films, they are available on Shudder, and the style of the show will add flair that sets it apart from other horror anthologies.

I also appreciated that both stories in the opening hour were both stylistically different. The first segment is body horror while the second is more about suspense. Each story is a unique concept but “Gray Matter” feels more realized and self-aware. Plus, there are some genuinely horrifying moments. You can feel the artistic touch of special effects-master, Greg Nicotero, who also directed “Gray Matter.”

However, I will admit there were a few moments while I was watching both episodes, I felt bored. The story drags in places. Despite being only about 22 minutes long, the pacing felt off. It didn’t hinder my enjoyment, particularly in “Gray Matter” which does get much better as it goes along, but it feels like the show is still finding its footing.

It’s to be expected, considering this is the premiere. But I wish there was more confidence in the writing and directing style. All the right elements are there, they just don’t gel together as well as they should quite yet. I have high hopes we’ll see some of those kinks smoothed out in the upcoming episodes.

As far as Shudder Originals go, I think Creepshow could be a hit for the horror streaming service which has grown in an abundance over the last year.

Tobin Bell, Adrienne Barbeau, and Giancarlo Esposito star in the first episode.

Are you planning to check out Creepshow? Did you watch the original films? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Creepshow officially premieres on Sept. 26 on Shudder.