Retro Blood 158: Amityville 4: The Evil Escapes

James Kline and J.H. Alison wrap up the Amityville Horror series of the 1980s with Amityville Horror 4: The Evil Escapes—a made-for-TV movie that truly tests their commitment to the haunted franchise. This week, they’re bringing the laughs and brutal honesty as they tackle this bizarre, low-energy entry with a possessed lamp as the film’s primary villain. 🕯️👻

The boys kick things off with a look back at the absurdity of staying in on a Friday night to catch a tame made-for-TV horror flick like The Evil Escapes. They share their thoughts on the strange premise: evil doesn’t stay in the Amityville house this time but follows a garish lamp purchased at a yard sale by an unsuspecting grandmother. That’s right—a killer lamp is terrorizing a family. They also muse on how Amityville 4 tried to reignite the horror of the original house but stumbled with a cast of bland characters and a plot that drags more than it scares.

As always, the Retro Blood team dives into history with a look at what was happening in pro wrestling and metal around the release date, May 12, 1989. In pro wrestling, they break down the showdown at WrestleWar ’89, particularly the battle between Sting and Iron Sheik, a clash that brought energy to the wrestling world despite the Sheik’s advanced years in the ring. In the metal corner, the boys pay tribute to Morbid Angel and their influential album Altars of Madness. They discuss how this album helped shape the death metal genre and the legendary impact Morbid Angel had on metal’s darker side.

On the production side, James and J.H. discuss the unusual circumstances that led to this film being made for television, stepping away from theatrical releases and diving into the lower stakes of TV horror. They chat about why this made-for-TV approach allowed for looser, more experimental horror projects (and sometimes more laughable ones) while still attempting to cash in on the Amityville name.

Then it’s on to the full review, where they pull no punches. From grandma’s haunted yard-sale finds to the cursed lamp that somehow manages to kill, the hosts take listeners through every campy twist and turn. They break down the weird priest who fails to actually help, the agonizingly boring family dynamics, and—of course—the ultimate showdown with not one, but three sinister lamp confrontations. 🕯️🕯️🕯️

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If you’re ready for a hilarious takedown of a haunted lamp and some spooky history along the way, tune in for this week’s Retro Blood and cap off Halloween month with a laugh. Now streaming on all platforms! 🎧 #RetroBlood #Amityville4 #EvilLamp #MadeForTVHorror #WrestleWar89 #MorbidAngel #AltarsOfMadness #HorrorPodcast #HalloweenMonth