The Meateater (1979) | Merits of Sin | Region-Free (DVD)

Title: The Meateater (1979)

Genre: Horror

Plot Synopsis:
Mitford Webster, a weary traveling shoe salesman, uproots his family to a small town after purchasing a dilapidated movie theater called The Crest. Hoping to breathe new life into it, he reopens the venue—but unbeknownst to him, a deranged killer has taken up residence in the rafters. As teens start turning up dead, Mitford must uncover the truth before it’s too late.

Cast and Crew

• Director: Derek Savage

• Writers: George Caldwell, Damon Fuller, Derek Savage

• Cast:

  • Arch Joboulian as Mitford Webster

  • Dianne Davis as Jill Webster

  • Peter Spitzer as Toby

  • Emily Spindler as Susan Webster

  • James Smiley as Joe

IMDb Link: Phantom of the Theatre (1979)

Reviews from Letterboxd:

1. JohnnyRed77 – ★☆☆☆☆
   “Actually, this is about a few nobodies getting killed in some theater where people watch the same dumbass safari movie on repeat by a mentally disabled weird guy who lives in the attic.”

2. coreypierceart – ★★☆☆☆
   “The ‘meateater’ motif seems like it was trying to say something but the execution is laughable. So many awkward close-ups. Still, I admire the grind.”

3. SamhainSlasher – ★★☆☆☆
   “It tries to blend family drama with slasher horror and doesn’t quite pull off either. Some decent moments if you’re into ‘70s oddities.”

4. peepingtom69 – ★☆☆☆☆
   “This felt like one long PSA about not buying old theaters. Weird pacing, bad kills, and what even was the soundtrack doing?”

5. tripleburger – ★★☆☆☆
   “It has a few creepy bits but overall it just plods. I was more scared of the upholstery than the killer.”

Meta Description:
A low-budget 1979 horror film about a family reopening an abandoned theater, only to face a killer lurking in the shadows. The Meateater is a forgotten grindhouse gem full of eerie vibes, awkward performances, and cult slasher appeal.