If you’re in the mood for a low-budget, high-gore horror anthology that leans hard into B-movie territory, Muerte: Tales of Horror might just scratch that itch. Directed and co-written by Christopher Ambriz, this Texas-shot feature delivers three macabre tales wrapped in a supernatural frame story involving a cursed comic book and an unsettling occult shopkeeper.
The movie opens with a seemingly ordinary theft: a teen named Zak is asked to swipe a mystical cloth but instead grabs a graphic novel called Muerte. From there, three loosely connected stories unfold. In The Date, a government-funded robot clashes with a trio of vampire women. Mirror follows a young woman whose new handheld mirror gradually possesses her, turning her dark. And El Cucuy warns of an urban legend that punishes the wicked, eventually catching up with a troubled young woman years later.
There’s a lot to admire here. The special effects and makeup are impressively gory, giving each story a visceral punch. The anthology format itself works well, providing clear structure and pacing that keeps the film moving even when the narratives themselves are a little unpolished. For fans of retro horror or campy B-movies, it’s clear that everyone involved had a blast making this, and that infectious enthusiasm comes through on screen.
That said, Muerte: Tales of Horror is far from perfect. Acting is uneven at best, with most performances ranging from awkward to outright amateurish. Storytelling often feels clumsy, particularly the wraparound plot, which serves more as a justification for the anthology than a compelling narrative on its own. Some of the tales, like The Date, stretch credulity to the point of comedy, and the punishment-versus-crime logic in El Cucuy leaves much to be desired.
Ultimately, this is a film that thrives on creativity and gore but falters in execution. If you’re looking for polished performances or tightly written horror, this won’t be your cup of tea. But if you can embrace the silliness, appreciate inventive story ideas, and enjoy practical effects that actually deliver some shocks, Muerte: Tales of Horror is an entertaining, if flawed, addition to the indie horror landscape. In short: it’s gloriously messy, unapologetically gory, and strangely fun—a perfect pick for fans of D-level horror with heart.
Jessie Hobson