One morning, on their way to class, China Webster (Michelle Johnson) and Sarah Brightman (Deborah Foreman) see a sign on a house that ways “Waxworks”. At first they think it strange that a waxworks is in a suburban mansion. A man (David Warner) appears. He tells them that he is the owner of the establishment. He invites them to the opening of the Waxworks that night at midnight. He then tells them that they can invite some friends to accompany them if they wish, but not more than six people.
Later, while watching the football team practice, China mentions the opening to their friends, Mark Loftmore (Zack Galligan), Tony (Dana Ashbrook), Gemma (Clare Carey) and James (Eric Brown). All agree to visit the waxworks. That night, as they stand in front of the waxworks, James and Gemma chicken out and leave. Mark, Tony, China and Sarah walk up the path to the building.
The door is opened by a little person. He says his name is Hans (Mihay ‘Michu’ Meszaros) and welcomes them in. Also in the lobby is a tall thin creepy man named Junior (Jack David Walker). Hans tells them to have a seat in the lobby. He leaves and the owner of the waxworks opens a curtain and invites the students to wander around the exhibits.
Tony walks over to the werewolf exhibit. He drops his lighter. When he steps over the velvet rope barrier he is transported into a creepy forest scene where he ends up attacked by a werewolf (John Rhys-Davies). China is standing in front of the vampire display. Suddenly the velvet rope in front of it drops and China walks through a portal into a dingy castle where she ends up bitten by a vampire (Miles O’Keeffe). Mark begins to wonder what happened to his comrades. He finds Sarah in front of the Marquis de Sade’s (J. Kenneth Campbell) display staring at the waxwork. Mark ends up spooked and he and Sarah leave.
Mark notifies the police about his missing friends. Inspector Roberts (Charles McCaughan) investigates the waxworks but doesn’t find anything wrong. Later, when the inspector checks the waxworks on his own, he ends up sucked into the Mummy exhibit. Eventually, Mark talks to an old friend of his grandfather, Sir Wilfred (Patrick Macnee). Wilfred tells him that he and Mark’s grandfather collected trinkets from the 18 most ruthless people to ever live. Another friend, David Lincoln (David Warner) stole the items and using them, sold his soul to the devil. He also tells Mark that unless Lincoln is stopped, he plans on feeding them human souls, bringing them back to life, in order to destroy the world.
“Waxwork” was released in 1988 and was written and directed by Anthony Hickox. It is an American, British and West German horror comedy. A sequel, Waxwork II: Lost in Time was released in 1992.
The movie features some interesting horror scenarios and some silliness. It has a bit of a portmanteau touch to it but the vignettes are short and not all of the creatures have their story told out. It’s basically fun, but a bit watery. The pacing is a little slow at times but all in all a nice little time-passer.
The 18 “evil beings” referenced in the film are from various horror, science fiction and folklore stories. They are: The Marquis de Sade, werewolf, vampire, golem, Phantom of the Opera, mummy, zombies, Frankenstein's monster, Jack the Ripper, Invisible Man, Voodoo shaman, witch, snake man, demonic baby, axe murderer, alien, alien pod person, and Mr. Hyde.