10 Hilarious Horror Films That Weren't Supposed To Be Funny
2. Shocker
According to critic Michael J Weldon, Shocker left opening night audiences helpless with laughter when a cute little blonde girl attacked Peter Berg’s teenaged hero with a JCB digger. You see, the girl’s been possessed by the spirit of serial killer Horace Pinker (Mitch Pileggi) who thanks to a Faustian pact that involved battery cables and a TV (long story) can move between bodies.
He’s also able to transform himself into an armchair (with eyes), though he proves no match for the ghost of Berg’s late girlfriend, who can shoot laser beams from her cleavage. Come the finale, Berg follows the killer into a TV set, chasing him through news shows, old movies and a Leave It To Beaver re-run. “I’ve heard of audience participation,” says an outraged viewer, “but this is ridiculous.”
For all his powers, though, Pinker is defeated with surprising ease, brought to his knees by judicious use of a remote control. Watching his fast-forwarded pratfalls, it’s hard not to be reminded of Troll 2’s antagonist, who was vanquished by a double-decker Bologna sandwich. Shocker is brainier than that – but only just.