5AM StoryTalk Double Feature: When Consumerism Kills
5AM StoryTalk Double Feature: When Consumerism Kills
These two films turn the American mall into a blood-soaked metaphor for the spiritual bankruptcy of capitalism
On the third Saturday of every month, 5AM StoryTalk curates a double feature for you to watch. The goal, as always, is to get us to look at and consider art and culture in new ways.
The philosophy of this double-feature series is primarily juxtaposition. Films are selected based on how they complement each other and reveal deeper truths about the other, but most often about filmmaking, culture, and the world we live in. Very little is offered in the way of explanation, as the process of discovery should be yours. We can discuss the films in the comments section, whether you’ve watched them or not, similar to how I operate this newsletter’s weekly question threads.
You’ll find this month’s double feature below…
DOUBLE FEATURE: LET’S GO SHOPPING!
Malls killed main streets across America and turned once-thriving city downtowns into ghost towns. Now, you’re next - run!
Feature #1: DAWN OF THE DEAD (1978)
Written and directed by George A. Romero
“They're after us. They know we're still in here.”
“They're after the place. They don't know why; they just remember. Remember that they want to be in here.”
Feature #2: CHOPPING MALL (1986)
Written by Jim Wynorski and Steve Mitchell; directed by Jim Wynorski
“I guess I'm just not used to being chased around a mall in the middle of the night by killer robots.”
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I do love both of these films (though I do wish Chopping Mall gave Dick Miller's character more screen time). My own personal recommendation for mall horror is Thanksgiving (2023), for the opening Black Friday riot. It's a great mix of pitch-black comedy and brutal violence that encapsulates everything wrong with holiday shopping.
Dawn of the Dead was one of those VHS tapes I played to exhaustion in my youth. It was such a captivating film. Really touched that side of my soon to be a teenager self that wanted to break out, face the world out there and build myself. I fantasized about having a mall full of zombies to romp around in and defend. I need to re-watch it. It has been years.