Ghoulies IV is a 1994 American supernatural comedy horror film directed by Jim Wynorski from a screenplay by Mark Sevi (Pterodactyl; Arachnid; Scanner Cop II). The film was produced by CineTel Films and, in the US, released straight-to-video by Columbia TriStar Home Video. It was released on DVD in 2007 by Echo Bridge Home Entertainment.
It has been criticized by the fans of the series because the ‘ghoulies’ in this film are completely different; two dwarf actors in costumes played the ghoulies.
The 1994 UK release was cut by 9 seconds to achieve a ’15’ rating. The 2004 release was uncut for a ’12’ rating. despite sexual references to bondage with handcuffs and a used condom being hurled from a moving vehicle.
Main cast:
Peter Liapis, Barbara Alyn Woods (The Terror Within II), Stacie Randall (From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money; Puppet Master 4), Raquel Krelle, Bobby Di Cicco, Tony Cox, Arturo Gil, Andrew Craig, John Cann, Michael Chieffo, Lynn Danielson-Rosenthal, Antonia Dorian, Nathan Jung, Tony March, Ace Mask (976-Evil II; Transylvania Twist; Not of This Earth).
Plot:
While in pursuit of cop Jonathan Graves (Peter Liapis), his demonic nemesis, Faust, sends his disciple Alexandria (Stacie Randall) to hunt down the amulet that will set him free. Meanwhile, the Ghoulies find their way through an open porthole and onto the streets of Los Angeles, creating madness and mayhem as they search for a way to get back home. As the body count rises, it becomes an ultimate battle between a demonic killer, a rule-breaking cop, and our favorite creatures from the netherworld…
Reviews:
“Ghoulies IV was slammed by critics and fans alike. I really can’t understand why, especially if the gripes are coming from people who liked the previous installments. I thought it was one of the more better-acted films of the genre I’ve seen, with truly likable characters and a story, while stupid, that managed to hold my attention the whole way through. Can’t ask for much more than that. I kind of wish the trolls would’ve exploded, though.” Matt, X-Entertainment
“The Ghoulies movies were always threadbare, never budgeted high enough for name actors or seamless effects, but this is where they bottom out. It’s pocked with gratuitous footage from the (superior) first movie; marred by stage lighting out of a high school theater production; full of conviction-free line readings. I hope, at least, that everyone involved with its making had an OK time on set and felt adequately compensated for their labor.” Alice Stoehr, Letterboxd.com
“The only ghoulies (Tony Cox as “Ghoulie Dark” and Arturo Gil as “Ghoulie Lite”) are almost afterthoughts, contributing little to a plot that really doesn’t need them. You could say Mark Sevi’s script is all backwards. Producer Gary Schmoeller is capable of better stuff than this messy, oft-demeaning movie.” John Stanley, Creature Features
Filming locations:
Chateau Bradbury Estate – 2232 S. California Avenue, Duarte, California
