Elliot is a shy, closeted young man who, when he starts to work for Corin, an out gay man, finds himself falling for him. But, coming from a severely homophobic upbringing, Elliot is ultimately conflicted about his feelings — to the point wherein it drives him to madness. Consider it "Gaytal Attraction." OCTOBER MOON is a great scare film that transcends all boundaries."

Louis Fowler, Colorado Springs Independent

OCTOBER MOON is not for you if you are looking for a dumb horror movie with no story but a ton of blood and boobs. This is instead the increasingly more rare type of horror film that creates characters instead of caricatures, weaves these characters together into a truly intriguing tale, and makes the viewer think. The film's plot centers around Elliot (Jerod Howard) who shortly after beginning to work as the assistant of the very attractive Corin (Sean Michael Lambrecht) begins to spend a lot of time with Corin and his boyfriend. Soon Elliot is very confused and realizes he is gay, himself, which is made no easier by his engagement to Marti (Paukstelis) and his puritanical mother (Judith O'Dea of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD fame). Tragically Elliot also develops a dangerous obsession with Corin... From here you can probably fill in the rest.

OCTOBER MOON is benefitted by a very strong script (Collum) which is believable and helps the audience be able to empathize with pretty much the whole cast. In addition to a strong script the film is elevated by several strong performances, most exceptionally was the Jerod Howard's Elliot. He performs the part with such believability. His angst, confusion, and obsession are so real that it is almost unfathomable that this is his FIRST film.

I will say sometimes the way the film was shot was maybe to straightforward, occasionally focusing so heavily on soap opera style close focus on characters in dialogue that some of Jason Paul Collum's bizarre horrific feel from past efforts such as the ultra-cult 5 DARK SOULS are missed. However, the progression in his script, actors, and pacing of the film help cover for this, I just hope to see a little more exploration behind the camera, not simply on the script page from his next film. OCTOBER MOON, though by no means unmitigated horror, is definitely a film to be seen and one that will grab you and really make you think about the issues of the film (homosexuality, tolerance, obsession, et cetera).

HORRORS D'VORES: Audio commentary with the cast & crew, Making-of featurette, Production still gallery, Tempe DVD trailers

From HORREUR WEB*:

3 stars out of 5
Elliot is a very introverted young man who lives with his mother and his fiancée. Recently having obtained a new job, Elliot quickly secures himself a friendship with Corin, his employer, who is homosexual. Corin thinks Elliot is a repressed homosexual. He decides to open his eyes to his real sexual identity. Elliot falls for Corin. The problem is that Corin already has a partner. Feeling rejected, Elliot goes for broke and decides to do anything it takes to obtain this that he wants.

October Moon is a good film. On the other hand, liking it depends a lot on your convictions. The film unfolds itself in a universe that is a majority homosexual. Guys kiss, and I know that there are a lot of people who are not very open to that and will be disgusted by this thing kind. But we are in the 2000s, and it is necessary to recognize that homosexuality is part of our world. I found it very refreshing that a film draft of this subject didn’t fall into vulgar clichés. Jason Paul Collum’s film is not homosexual propaganda, but a film treating a love triangle that turns poorly. Homosexual characters are rare in the horror films. I was happy to learn that a film director decided of to explore the gay universe. I also found very funny that director shoots some arrows at the stereotypes that heteros have the gays. For example, when Elliot announces to his fiancée that they are invited to eat with Corin, she retorts: "I hope there won’t be any condoms lying around!"

Let us take the homosexual angle out of the film. For the major party of its sequence, October Moon is a drama on the rejection of love. For 90 minutes, there is no sign of horror; it is necessary therefore to be patient. This was not a problem for me, for I found the dramatic parts of the film very interesting. The evolution of the Elliot character is fascinating. As Elliot passes from shy man to gay, he becomes completely crazy! Elliot reminds me of the character of Willard in the film of the same name. He is so shy that one quickly takes pity on him. His transformation from kind boy to psychopath is very interesting to look at. It is necessary to see the poor Elliot character progress through his secret obsession with Corin!! This is almost more frightful than a fanatic with a knife. ... The twenty last minutes of the film are very excessive and the true horror begins. It can’t compete with films as Hostel or Saw 2 in the matter of gore, October Moon succeeds with having its good impact thanks to realism.

At the start, October Moon was for me a curiosity of what a gay horror film could bring. I was greatly surprised to note that after several minutes, I did could see that the film was "different". If you are patient and you like horror films that take their time to define the characters,October Moon will please you.

For original French text, please go to: http://www.horreur-web.com/octobermoon.html
(*Please note: This review has been translated from its original French text.)

From BAY WINDOWS

Most of the time, I’m fairly skeptical of low budget, gay-themed B-movies, and horror just isn’t my genre (I’m sort of a nelly). So October Moon, directed by horror-guru Jason Paul Collum, already had three strikes against it. After popping it in, though, I couldn’t not watch it. Its sharp dialogue, interesting drama-like story and good acting went completely against how I perceived the genre to be. Was this the new face of gay B-movies? It was good. No, it was really good, and I became obsessed in talking with Wisconsin-based Collum and lead actor, Sean Michael Lambrecht.

Lambrecht portrays Corin, the perfect boyfriend struggling to keep his long-term relationship with Jake (Jeff Dylan Graham) alive and kicking. That proves to be difficult when Corin’s new assistant, Elliot (Jerod Howard), realizes his own homo-ness and becomes obsessed with Corin. The dual plot — Corin’s relationships with Jake and Elliot, and Elliot’s with fiancée Marti (Tina Ona Paukstelis) and his homophobic mother (original Night of the Living Dead actress Judith O’Dea) — intertwine expertly to give the film depth and complexity. Taken from real-life situations (except, of course the gore), Collum’s script and dialogue was extremely well tuned and precise. “I tend to think that a lot of gay movies have very dull, matter of fact dialogue. I wanted the dialogue to liven up the characters,” he says.

The movie also stands out with Collum’s use of many genres. “It’s horror, it’s drama, it’s thriller, it’s comedy,” Collum says. It works well. Intentionally structured like the classic Carrie, Collum says it “starts out as a drama, evolves into a thriller, and ultimately becomes a horror film. I wanted it to take its time.” Collum’s been in the horror genre for over 10 years, shooting and writing about the film industry in L.A., Chicago and Wisconsin as well as editing Femme Fatales and Cinefantastique magazines, so he should know.

Seeds for the film came about after being told that no one would be interested in watching a horror movie with gay male leads. “It was a very uphill battle,” he says. Not just with getting initial interest in the genre, either. Bad luck plagued Moon all the way up to its initial shoot date, too. When the original actor to play Corin bowed out, Collum was forced to find a replacement, and fast. After frantic casting calls and a barrage of flyers, Collum ran into longtime acquaintance Lambrecht at a local bar just a week and a half before shooting was to start. Thinking he was only helping with some lines, Lambrecht read through some dialogue with Collum that night. In fact, Collum was secretly auditioning him. “It just sort of hit me. He [Lambrecht] has the coolness, the laid-back attitude that I wanted in the movie,” Collum says.

Lambrecht was shocked when he was offered the part, but after taking a night to sleep on it, says he had “no hesitation about saying yes.” Lambrecht doesn’t consider himself an actor, and doesn’t really want to pursue it. When I asked about any previous acting experience, he coyly said “I’ve dated a little.” He must be a pretty good date because he’s an excellent actor. Lambrecht steals the show, and Collum’s bad luck in casting turned into a highlight for the film. Lambrecht is convincing and unforced. He’s charming on screen, and a plays the perfect “ultimate dream guy,” in Collum’s words.

Music is Lambrecht’s main passion, though, and he focuses mainly on classical and film scores. If October Moon is any indication of Collum or Lambrecht’s futures consider me converted.

By Anthony King

In what is possibly the first gay horror film (well, "thriller" more than horror), October Moon is not your usual creepy fare. What is essentially a love triangle gets a bit of a twist in that the triangle involves three gay men (not your typical mainstream release) and the horror is much more psychological and creepy, as opposed to full on blood and gore. You may be more familiar with Tempe in the latter category, but this release demonstrates that the little company J.R. Bookwalter built is full of surprises and is not to be typecasted.

October Moon itself is a well-crafted independent film, with an engaging story, top-notch acting and some unexpected twists. I was particularly impressed by the editing and how the filmmaker(s) crafted a top-notch production with their limited funds. Again - not your usual horror fare, but well worth checking out for a change of pace.

Video: How's it look?
The fullframe (1.33:1 transfer) is nice and clean, with the well-shot cinematography well-presented on the disc. Even the lower-light scenes still present detail nicely, despite the film's low-budget nature. Nice job.

Audio: How's it sound?
Dolby stereo mix is solid - good, clean, audible. Thumbs up.

For complete page go to http://calgarymovies.com/DVD/reviews/OctoberMoon.asp

From www.monstersatplay.com:

From writer/director Jason Paul Collum comes a movie that may just be the genre's first true gay horror film. OCTOBER MOON is a tale of boys becoming men and facing the truth inside; of realizing who they really are and what they truly want - and of the madness of obsession. Sometimes the best intentions can go horribly wrong...

Successful, gay, but middle-aged Corin is having trouble with his younger boyfriend Jake. The generation gap is playing havoc with their relationship, as Corin wants to stay at home while Jake is still the party guy. Jake even admits to thinking about other guys, but Corin confirms he'll still love Jake no matter what. Meanwhile, thirty-something Elliot (who still lives with Mom) gets a new job so he finally proposes to his long-time girlfriend Marty. The next day, after an earful from his over-protective mother, Elliot goes to his new job - as Corin's assistant. Corin freely admits his lifestyle, which makes Elliot a bit curious. Later, when co-worker Nancy asks Corin if Elliot's gay. He is positive, but feels Elliot must come to that self-realization on his own....

Well, Elliot adapts readily to his new job and new boss. He asks Corin if he and Jake would go to a local pub with him and Marty. Corin agrees - if Elliot and his beau will then go to a gay bar. So they do. Jake and Corin hold their own at the pub, and are amused when a guy pretends to be gay as a ploy to get laid. At the gay hang out; however, Elliot and Marty are more out of place. Elliot keeps telling everyone he's not gay, but when he winds up dancing with Corin, Marty eyes him suspiciously. Elliot starts to explore gay web sites - and some fetish ones as well. He also starts hanging out with Corin and Jake, watching movies and such, at the expense of Marty. Elliot even takes some candid photos of Corin, which he looks at when alone in bed at night...

Elliot starts to make any excuse to be near Corin, either at work (always 'popping in'), or at home; poor Marty never sees him anymore, and when she does, all Elliot talks about is Corin. Corin and Jake are having a few bumps in their relationship, so they decide to get away for the weekend to 'be alone together'. Sure enough, Elliot weasels his way into going with them. Now things start to slide down the razor blade of life as Elliot comes to the truth - and finds it's not what he wants. And when Elliot doesn't get what he wants....

Now this synopsis barely scratches the complexity of OCTOBER MOON. Jason Paul Collum develops a drama that is totally honest with its homosexual characters. The gay relationships are just like straights; it can be a turbulent trip finding the love of your life. Whatever your personal lifestyle, OCTOBER MOON speaks with a universal candor that makes us connect with the characters and their situations. This is truly a fine dramatic film.... and then the horror begins when obsession becomes overwhelming. Since we've been so taken in with the characters, the suspense builds with a maddening intensity to an extreme climax (but I'm not gonna tell ya what happens - watch the movie!). All the actors give fabulous performances; we really become entwined in their lives. Special kudos go to novice Sean Michael Lambrecht in the demanding role of Corin. On the other side of the camera, OCTOBER MOON is a very well made production. Using various local settings instead of sets add much to the realism of the film. Usually a fault in indie films, the crew does a fine job ensuring that there's enough light in every scene. While there is a substantial bit of dialogue, the editing keeps the pace moving; it's not a lot of 'talking heads'. Director Collum stages his scenes very well. Since there are only a few film locations, he changes perspective each time a set is revisited to keep the scenes fresh. The musical score complements the film very nicely.

OCTOBER MOON has been released on DVD with some good extras included (but no chapter search menu). There's a short making of featurette with Collum highlighting some of his trial and tribulations in not only getting the film done, but also finding a place to show it. A host of production, image, and behind the scenes stills are included, as well as the traditional trailer and previews. Definitely worth listening to is a full-length audio commentary by Collum and the cast; their reflections on the movie making process simply reinforce their passion and commitment to the art. The anecdotes and insights are why commentaries have become so vital to DVD aficionados; we learn so much more about the film and its creation, which makes the film that much of a better experience.

Now watching two guys kiss is not really my cup of tea, but that doesn't matter because OCTOBER MOON is not only one of the most honest dramas I've ever seen, but becomes a pretty darn suspenseful horror film as well. So keep an open mind and enjoy a trip along the downward spiral as a young man finds the truth about himself. Just don't make Elliot angry. You wouldn't like him when he's angry....

written by J. Reed

From www.slasherpool.com:

4 out of 5 * (stars)
"I'm in love with this film! Never did I ever think that I could like a Tempe Entertainment film this much. After just having finished watching the dismal slasher flick FINAL CURTAIN, which was produced by Tempe Entertainment, I wasn't exactly thrilled heading into this film but what I got was something so excellent that it even brought a tear to my eye in the end... I was expecting a low rent slasher movie from OCTOBER MOON, but what I got was a psycho drama thriller in the vein of "Single White Female" about a psychotic man in his 30s who's just realizing that he's got a crush on his male boss. With a very unsupportive mother and girlfriend, he finds himself lost in despair.

The creepiest thing about OCTOBER MOON is that I've been in a similar situation (very similar
actually) as Corin (played brilliantly by Sean Michael Lambrecht), so I could really relate to what he was going through. Still, it was hard to dislike shy (but very disturbed) Elliot who's got a fatal crush on Corin. The characters were all so real and alive, not cardboard stereotypes at all. This is without a doubt the best gay film I've ever seen, though I have yet to see BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, which really doesn't look to be my kind of film anyway.

Now, the acting was brilliant from everyone in this movie, but a special mention goes out to
Brinke Stevens as this movie gave me a whole new respect for her...in OCTOBER MOON she just blew me away. She really came through as a wonderful human being in this movie and proved to me that she's got a whole lot left to give as an actress.

OCTOBER MOON might be most entertaining for gay guys, so I'm going to strongly recommend this to all gay horror fans out there... this is a seriously great psycho drama that you need to see. But I also think that many straight people will enjoy this as well. This is not a bunch of fruity gay guys running around having sex, getting slashed etc. for an hour and a half (a la HELLBENT?). This is so much more than that, so give this one a chance, you might end up liking it as much as I did."

written by: Fredrik Nordström

From www.rottentomatoes.com:

"Creative, haunting..."
3.5 stars out of 5
From the creative mind of writer/director Jason Paul Collum comes the complicated and twisted tale of Elliot. Played by Jerod Howard, Elliot is a disturbed young man who is struggling to come to terms with his homosexuality.When Elliot finally decides to come out, the reaction from the people he loves is harsh. He infuriates his mother (played by "Night of the Living Dead"'s Judith O'Dea) and alienates himself from his would-be-fiancee. On Elliot's path to self discovery, he finds himself falling in love with his boss, Corin Buckman, played by Sean Michael Lambrecht. However, Corin is already in a committed relationship of five years with his boyfriend Jake.

Corin's rebuff, as well as the reaction of his mother and his fiancee, drives Elliot into a deep depression and eventually his rage turns into vengeance. We see the transformation of Elliot turning from a mild-mannered man into a crazed killer.

Written by Michael Szymanski, INTERNATIONAL PRESS ACADEMY

From http://www.queerhorror.com:

Qvamp says:  "An unusual twist to the gay obsession genre when a supposedly straight man develops an unhealthy obsession with an openly gay one.
The gay man is relatively moral and upstanding, just wanting to help someone go through the coming out process. But when the other man's obsession affects his own relationship, he begins to withdraw, leading to a tragic finale."

From http://fishcomcollective.net:

There are almost two different, but connected, films at work here. Oddly, especially given the film's release on a microbudget horror label, it's not the thriller side of the film that works best.
What we start out with is a surprisingly compelling melodrama about gay dynamics and coming out of the closet. What we end with is an alternate lifestyle fatal attraction.
The first half of the movie works so well because the characters are believable and people for whom we can feel sympathy, with whom we can relate, sexual orientation aside. The characters are well-drawn and the dialogue is realistic and plausible. The acting - for a microbudgeter - is even good.
But what is an engaging exploration of a gay couple whose relationship is on the rocks getting even more confused by the addition of a so-in-the-closet-even-the-one-in-the-closet-doesn't-realize-it to the ebb and flow of character dynamics becomes a rather pedestrial thriller whose only distinction is that it happens to be three-dimensional gay characters caught in a two-dimensional suspenser.
It's also worth noting that the film is a little too long. Tightening at the script level would have helped tremendously.
However, the strengths of the movie overall outweigh the weaknesses and I am unable to deny the hook the story has. I am also compelled to admit that the weakish thriller section of the film is sandwiched between a first half whose drama works so well you can't abandon the characters, even in a second tier thriller motif, and a denouement that is ambiguous but powerful.
All told, October Moon is a must see for the microbudget world, flaws aside.
Visit www.tempevideo.com.

article written by: Upchuck Undergrind