Technical Specs

Director: Chris Walas

Writer: Jeri Barchilon

Cast: D.W. Moffett, Pamela Gien, Aubrey Morris, John Kassir, Janet Hubert, Jeris Lee Poindexter, and Charles Hutchins

Composer: Nicholas Pike

Air Date: 4/24/1990

Overview

Hoping to marry the attractive but snobbish Margaret Richardson (Pamela Gien) and use her fortune to finance a development project, Haitian land owner Logan Andrews (D.W. Moffett) borrows a love potion from a local voodoo witch named Psyche (Janet Hubert). While the potion works as intended, Logan learns the hard way that not following directions can have “grave” consequences.

A predictable episode, “’Til Death” ventures into absurd territory at times. Nevertheless, Jeri Barchilon’s narrative will appeal to Tales from the Crypt fans with its genuinely frightening, albeit unoriginal, subject matter.

Pros

Perceptive horror fans will notice that this episode bears a number of similarities to “The Hitch-hiker” segment from Creepshow 2. Though an individual rising from the dead to haunt someone for his or her past mistakes is hardly a unique concept, “’Til Death” combines this trope with an atmospheric setting and horrifying make-up effects, while these chilling elements are further enhanced by Nicholas Pike’s eerie composition.

Cons

(Spoilers beyond this point)

When Psyche tells Logan to administer only one drop of love serum to Margaret, viewers can easily predict how the ending will play out. An obvious conclusion might not have been a negative factor given the simple nature of this show; however, many logical problems are also present. For instance, zombie Margaret begins decomposing even before Logan sets fire to her body and pushes it into a pool of quicksand (accelerated putrefaction could be a side effect of the drug that killed her, though this is never confirmed). Also confusing is a bizarre sequence in which Margaret chops off a doctor’s head, only for it to be resurrected by Psyche at a later time. Though the island doctor deserved to be punished for his actions, his murder and subsequent revival seem like superfluous additions to an already suspenseful horror narrative.

Analysis

Always be careful what you wish for. Otherwise, you might end up with a rotting corpse for a wife and a vengeful voodoo priestess deriving pleasure from your misfortune.

Concluding Comments

“’Til Death” might have benefited from several minor rewrites to correct the aforementioned issues involving internal consistency. That being said, Tales from the Crypt fans should appreciate the disgusting make-up effects that were applied to actress Pamela Gien, while those who enjoy zombie stories based upon Haitian folklore are likewise advised to view this episode for its occult themes.

Overall Quality: 6/10

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