History Film / WNUFHalloweenSpecial

* [[spoiler:ScoobyDooHoax: a darker take on it. The supposedly "supernatural" events of the broadcast are actually the work of a group of violent killers trying to ruin the show.]]

* DeliberateVHSQuality: The movie is full of VHS scratches and generally poor picture quality, as if it was taped direct from broadcast back in '87 and has sat on someone's shelf ever since.

* TheReveal: [[spoiler:There's no supernatural activity in the house (all evidence to the contrary was [[ScoobyDooHoax created or caused by the producers for ratings]], the "priest" was just an actor, and it's likely the Bergers were frauds), but there ''are'' two psychos killing people with [[AnAxeToGrind an axe]].]]

* MurdererPOV: On a metafictional level: [[spoiler: the ending of the movie implies that the video tape of the broadcast - the video tape we are watching - was made by the killers themselves, since it includes Phil being murdered on camera, yet the final sequence with the two news anchors shows that they don't know whether Phil is alive or dead, suggesting that Phil's death was not broadcast.]] On a more literal level, during the scene in question, a murderer is holding the camera.

* ShoutOut: An ad for a show about two vigilantes (called ''Armed to Strike'') features a character [[Film/TaxiDriver posing in front of a mirror with his gun]].

* {{Retraux}}: The movie is full of VHS scratches and generally poor picture quality, as if it was taped direct from broadcast back in '87 and has sat on someone's shelf ever since.

* CreepyBasement: The finale of the Halloween Special was supposed to have a live exorcism being performed in the house's basement, as the bodies of the Ouija Murders were found there.

* KitschyLocalCommercial: Tons of them, including one for a shop dedicated to rugs and a local petting zoo (with free pony rides!), which help to sell the "80s local TV station broadcast" angle.

* {{Retraux}}

The recording shows the (fictional) television channel WNUF [=TV28=] in full [[AllHallowsEve Halloween]] spirit, with its newscasters in costumes and reporting appropriate content. This segues into the titular special, which investigates a HauntedHouse which was the site of the infamous "[[OuijaBoard spirit board]] murders" 20 years earlier, with psychic and spiritual help to detect and exorcise whatever evil spirits may be lurking within.

The recording shows the (fictional) television channel WNUF [=TV28=] in full [[AllHallowsEve Halloween]] spirit, with its newscasters in costumes and reporting appropriate content. But this just paves way for the special about an investigation of a HauntedHouse which was the site of the infamous "[[OuijaBoard spirit board]] murders", with psychic and spiritual help.

!!This recording has the examples of:

* TheBadGuyWins: [[spoiler:Mrs. Harris and her partner apparently get away with murdering the camera crew and their guests]].
* BringMyBrownPants: [[spoiler:The actor who was hired to [[BadHabits play a priest]] wets himself as terror takes a hold on him in the basement]].
* ChainsawGood: The Special's producer Veronica gives its host Frank a scare by suddenly appearing before him in a ski mask and holding a running chainsaw.
* ChekhovsGunman: [[spoiler:HARVEST spokesperson Mrs. Harris and the random guy who jumped on Stewart outside the house prove to be significant later on, as they are the ones responsible for [[NeverFoundTheBody the disappearances of the crew]] at the end]].
* CreepyBasement: The finale of the Halloween Special is supposed to have a live exorcism being performed in the house's basement, as the bodies of Ouija Murders where found there.

* RealTrailerFakeMovie: There are various ads for [[ShowWithinAShow fictional shows and movies]], including a family picture ''Doggone It'', and a {{Mummy}} horror film ''Sarcophagus''.

* TheReveal: [[spoiler:There is no supernatural activity in the house (all the evidence of the contrary were [[ScoobyDooHoax caused by the producers to get ratings]]), but there are two psychos killing people with [[AnAxeToGrind an axe]]]].
* RougeAnglesOfSatin: The already-mentioned report of church vandalism includes a quick shot of a graffiti-covered church wall: The perpetrator misspelled "Satan" as "Satin".
* ShellshockedVeteran: One news segment is about the first anniversary of a tragic death on Halloween. A [[UsefulNotes/TheVietnamWar Vietnam veteran]] had a trick-or-treater come to his door dressed as a soldier and he mistook the boy for a Vietcong insurgent, and shot him.

* SpiritualSuccessor: For 1992's ''Film/{{Ghostwatch}}'', which was also a "live broadcast" of a HauntedHouse investigation, although this movie is more tongue-in-cheek, and doesn't pretend that it's real.

-->"You are watching the WNUF Halloween Special."
* TongueTrauma: [[spoiler:Mrs. Harris cuts off Stewart's tongue before the live feed from the camera disappears for good]].

* RougeAnglesOfSatin: A news segment about a supposed rash of satanic activity in the town includes a quick montage of graffiti as evidence: One such piece of vandalism spells "Satan" as "Satin".

* IncrediblyLamePun: The WNUF newscasters constantly trade Halloween-laden puns with each other.
-->'''Gavin:''' You know, I think I'm gonna stay in, grab a flashlight and read scary stories to my kids. What about you, Deb?
-->'''Deborah:''' I'll probably stay in and play with my cats.
-->'''Gavin:''' You know I hope they're not... ''scaredy cats''.

* VerySpecialEpisode: One ad is for a "very special episode" of a sitcom, where the [[CoolUncle fun uncle character]] has a drinking problem.

A 2013 {{Retraux}} horror film that takes a form of VHS recording from [[TheEighties 1987]].

The record shows the (fictional) television channel WNUF [=TV28=] in full [[AllHallowsEve Halloween]] spirit, with its newscasters in costumes, and reporting appropiate content. But this just paves way for the hour-long special about an investigation of a HauntedHouse which was the site of the infamous "[[OuijaBoard spirit board]] murders", with psychic and spiritual help. But the programme doesn't go exactly as planned....

* AttackOfThePoliticalAd: There are ads from two state governor election candidates attacking each other with accusations of infidelity, corruption and excessive gun control.
* TheBadGuyWins: [[spoiler:Mrs. Harris and her partner apparently get away with murdering the camera crew and their guests.]]

* EvilDetectingDog: Bergers' cat Shadow supposedly has clairvoyance, which enables it to sense supernatural things before Claire.
* FangThpeak: A costumed audience outside of the haunted house is being asked by Stewart about its history. A tall, scared-looking man in a vampire costume, complete with cheap plastic fangs, says, "Shomebody died in thish houshe?"
* HarsherInHindsight: Done intentionally in-universe with an ad for a flight company, which features the skyline of New York with Twin Towers (which were destroyed in 2001) in full display in its penultimate shot.

* HorrorDoesntSettleForSimpleTuesday: A live special goes wrong on Halloween, how appropiate.

* ShellshockedVeteran: One news segment is about the first anniversary of a tragic death on Halloween. A [[UsefulNotes/TheVietnamWar Vietnam veteran]] had a trick or treater come to his door dressed as a soldier and he mistook the boy for a Vietcong insurgent, and shot him.
* ShoutOut: An ad for a show about two vigilantes (called ''Armed to Strike) features a character [[Film/TaxiDriver posing on front of a mirror with his gun]].
* SpiritualSuccessor: For 1992's ''Film/{{Ghostwatch}}'', which was also a "live broadcast" of HauntedHouse investigation, although this movie is more tongue-in-cheek, and doesn't pretend that it's real.
* SpookySeance: Subverted. One segment of the Special is supposed to have audience calling a number and asking questions during a seance held by Claire Berger. They only get crank calls, and are soon interrupted with [[spoiler:the offscreen mutilation of the cat Shadow]].

-->You are watching the WNUF Halloween Special.
* TongueTrauma: [[spoiler:Mrs. Harris cuts off Stewart's tongue before the live feed from the camera disappears for good.]]

* [[spoiler:TheBadGuyWins: Mrs. Harris and her partner apparently get away with murdering the camera crew and their guests.]]

* SpiritualSuccessor: For 1992's ''Film/{{Ghostwatch}}'', which was also a "live broadcast" of HauntedHouse investigation, although this movie is more tongue-in-cheek.

The record shows the (fictional) television channel WNUF in full [[AllHallowsEve Halloween]] spirit, with its newscasters in costumes, and reporting appropiate content. But this just paves way for the hour-long special about an investigation of a HauntedHouse which was the site of the infamous "OuijaBoard murders", with psychic and spiritual help. But the programme doesn't go exactly as planned....

* AttackOfThePoliticalAd: There are ads from two state governor election candidates attacking each other with accusations of infidelity and corruption.
* BringMyBrownPants: [[spoiler:The actor who was hired to [[BadHabits play a priest]] wets himself as terror takes a hold on him in the basement]].
* ChainsawGood: The Special's producer pranks Frank by suddenly appearing before him and holding a running chainsaw.

* FangThpeak: A costumed audience outside of the haunted house is being asked by Stewart about its history. A tall, scared-looking man in a vampire costume, complete with cheap plastic fangs, says, "Shomebody died in thish houshe?"
%%* FunWithAcronyms: HARVEST
* HarsherInHindsight: Done intentionally in-universe with an ad for a flight company, as it features the skyline of New York with Twin Towers in full display in its penultimate shot.

* IncrediblyLamePun: The WNUF newscasters constantly trade halloween-laden puns with each other.
* KitschyLocalCommercial: Tons of them, which help to sell the "80s local TV station broadcast" angle.

* OffWithHisHead: The killer decapitated his parents with an axe, and their headless ghosts now allegedly haunt the place.
* RealTrailerFakeMovie: There are various ads for [[ShowWithinAShow fictional shows and movies]].

* ShellshockedVeteran: One news segment is about a Vietnam veteran who in the previous Halloween shot a little kid who was dressed as a soldier, mistaking him for a Vietcong insurgent.
* ShoutOut: An ad for a show about two vigilantes features a character [[Film/TaxiDriver posing on front of a mirror with his gun]].

* SpookySeance: Subverted. One segment of the Special is supposed to have audience calling a number and asking questions during a seance held by Claire Berger. They only get crank calls, and are soon interrupted with [[spoiler:the mutilation of the cat Shadow]].

-->You are watching WNUF Halloween Special.

* VerySpecialEpisode: One ad is for a "very special episode" of a sitcom, where the fun uncle character has a drinking problem.

* KitchyLocalCommercial: Tons of them, which help to sell the "80s local TV station broadcast" angle.

* CreepyBasement: The finale of the Halloween Special is supposed to have a live exorcism being performed in the house's basement, as the bodies where found there.

* HarsherInHindsight: Done intentionally in-universe with an ad for a flight company, as penultimate shot of which features a skyline of New York with Twin Towers in full display.

The record shows the (fictional) television channel WNUF in full [[AllHallowsEve Halloween]] spirit, with its newscasters in costumes, and reporting appropiate content. But this just paves way for the hour-long special about an investigation of an haunted house with psychic and spiritual help, which was the site of the infamous "OuijaBoard murders". But the programme doesn't go exactly as planned....

* RealTrailerFakeMovie: There are various ads for fictional shows and movies.