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Horror film

Johnny Gruesome (2018): Cast & Ratings

Johnny Gruesome (2018) movie poster

Johnny Gruesome is a 2018 horror film directed by Greg Lamberson, starring Anthony De La Torre as Johnny Grissom, Michael DeLorenzo and Byron Brown II. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes and was made on a reported $240,000 budget. Its Echo Score is 54/100.

Echo Score
54
budget
$240K
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Johnny Gruesome (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 30m (90 min)
Director
Greg Lamberson
Genre
Horror
Original language
English
Budget
$240K
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Johnny Gruesome About?

The premise of Johnny Gruesome without spoilers.

Rebellious high school senior Johnny Grissom is killed in a reckless accident. As his classmates begin to die, each murder echoing Johnny’s own demise, his best friend Eric becomes increasingly convinced that Johnny has returned from beyond the grave. Haunted by suspicion and fear, Eric must uncover the truth behind the vengeful killings before he becomes the next victim.

Johnny Gruesome Themes & Keywords

· 1 tag
  • zombie
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Cast & crew

Johnny Gruesome Cast & Characters

Anthony De La Torre leads the cast as Johnny Grissom, with Michael DeLorenzo as Charlie Grissom and Byron Brown II as Eric Carter. Directed by Greg Lamberson; 15 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Johnny Gruesome

· 11 more
From the director

More from Greg Lamberson

More films directed by Greg Lamberson: Widow’s Point, Killer Rack, Dry Bones and Slime City Massacre.

Full filmography
Ratings

Johnny Gruesome Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 54/100, strongest in story & flow (60) and weakest in character & emotion (35).

54 /100

Johnny Gruesome Echo Score Breakdown

Johnny Gruesome presents a mixed cinematic experience that leans toward the low‑budget indie end of the spectrum. Critics and viewers note that the film's ambition to blend adolescent drama with horror is uneven, with notable strengths in its inventive revenge premise and occasional effective soundtrack moments. However, pervasive issues such as weak performances, inconsistent sound design, and a meandering plot undermine its overall impact. The net impression is that the film offers niche appeal for irony‑savvy audiences but falls short for broader viewers.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 55

    In terms of art and craft, the film exhibits a blend of competent and subpar elements. Reviewers acknowledge moments of decent cinematography and professional editing, yet repeatedly cite hollow audio, low‑budget makeup, and uneven visual cohesion. The limited resources are evident in the special effects, which some describe as passable while others find them weak. Overall, the technical execution hovers around an average level, reflecting both modest strengths and noticeable shortcomings.

  • Character & Emotion 35

    When examining character and emotion, the consensus points to largely ineffective acting and weak character depth. Multiple reviewers label performances as forced, amateurish, and detrimental to audience investment. A minority view the over‑the‑top style as intentional irony, yet this perspective is not widely shared. Consequently, the film's emotional resonance suffers, resulting in a low character score that mirrors the general dissatisfaction with the cast's capabilities.

  • Story & Flow 60

    The story and flow receive mixed feedback, with some praising its unique revenant premise and engaging revenge arc. Critics note occasional solid pacing and inventive dialogue, whereas others highlight plot holes, meandering pacing, and a lack of cohesion. The divergence suggests that while the narrative has a core appeal, its execution is inconsistent. This balance of strengths and weaknesses places the story score in the moderate range.

  • Sensory Experience 55

    Sensory experience, encompassing soundtrack and sound design, is polarized. Positive comments emphasize a brilliant, ironic soundtrack with effective musical motifs, while negative remarks point to hollow audio, amateurish sound effects, and inconsistent cinematography. Visual style suffers from budget constraints, leading to occasional odd moments. The combined sentiments result in an average sensory rating that reflects both noteworthy musical aspects and evident technical flaws.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Rewatch factor appears modestly favorable among viewers who appreciate the film's campy, ironic humor. Several reviewers recommend it for casual group viewings, noting unintentional comedy and repeatable fun. Conversely, a portion of the audience advises against revisiting due to perceived boredom and low production values. The overall inclination toward repeat enjoyment, tempered by criticism, yields a slightly above‑average rewatch score.

Videos

Johnny Gruesome Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Johnny Gruesome.

JOHNNY GRUESOME Trailer #1

Seen Johnny Gruesome?

FAQ

Johnny Gruesome FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, budget and post-credit scenes of Johnny Gruesome, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Johnny Gruesome?

Johnny Gruesome runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).

When was Johnny Gruesome released?

Johnny Gruesome was released on October 16, 2018.

Who directed Johnny Gruesome?

Johnny Gruesome was directed by Greg Lamberson.

More films by Greg Lamberson

Who is in the cast of Johnny Gruesome?

Johnny Gruesome stars Anthony De La Torre as Johnny Grissom, Michael DeLorenzo as Charlie Grissom and Byron Brown II as Eric Carter, among 15 credited actors.

What was the budget of Johnny Gruesome?

Johnny Gruesome had a reported budget of $240,000.

Does Johnny Gruesome have a post-credit scene?

No. Johnny Gruesome has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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