Things (1989)

Things is a 1989 Canadian independent direct-to-video horror film, directed by Andrew Jordan and written by Jordan and Barry J. Gillis.

Plot
A horror fan (Barry J. Gillis) gets more than he can handle, thanks to a scientist's monsters.

Production
Things is reportedly the "first Canadian shot-on-Super 8 gore shocker commercially released on VHS." Shot in the Toronto suburb of Scarborough, Ontario, the cast consisted of co-writer Barry J. Gillis and pornographic film star Amber Lynn. The plot follows two friends in a remote cabin who "discover a womb of monstrous horror that demands graphic dismemberment".

Release
In 1989, Things was released direct-to-video. It was released on DVD in 2008, and was re-released on home media in 2011. It has also been featured at film festivals.

Reception and legacy
Since its release, Things has gained a reputation as being one of the worst films ever made. Critics from The Beachwood Reporter, Dread Central and Cinema Sewer each described it as being the worst film ever made. Adam Symchuk of Screen Rant writes: "While films like The Room and Birdemic seem to be constant contenders for the best 'so bad it's good' movie, [Things] is the true unheralded champion among many cinephiles." Likewise, a review from DVD Verdict wrote that the film was "a treasure for those who like to revel in the worst of the worst." Meanwhile, J Hurtado of Screen Anarchy described it as "critically unassailable" and Will Pfeifer opined that "It's so terrible I can’t think of another movie that even comes close."

Caelum Vatnsdal, author of They Came From Within: A History of Canadian Horror Cinema, wrote that Things is "the worst Canadian horror film ever made". In his book Spinegrinder: The Movies Most Critics Won't Write About, Clive Davies stated that, while Things was a strong contender for the title of "best worst movie", it is not well known outside of its cult following. Mike Stoklasa and Jay Bauman of Red Letter Media also reviewed Things in an episode of Half in the Bag.

RiffTrax spoofed it on March 4, 2022.