Studio 666

When we think of the Foo Fighters many of us think of not just their music, but their ability to create music videos that are able to tell a story along with the song. Some of my favorite moments are Dave Grohl with super spiky hair and a leather jacket with his expanding hand in “Everlong” or the way that Taylor Hawkins could pull off a female flight attendant outfit in “Learn to Fly.” So ,it would only be natural that the Fighters of Foo would be able to pull off their film debut in Studio 666—and give us the ideal amount of humor and terror all wrapped up in one. 

With the demand for a tenth album looming over their heads and manager Shill (Jeff Garlin) foaming at the mouth for results, Foo Fighters lead man Dave Grohl realizes that the band needs to find a new place to get the creative juices flowing and record the new album. With interest piqued by Dave’s request for a Led Zeppelin-esque experience, Shill enlists the help of a bit too perky realtor Barbara (Leslie Grossman) to provide them the perfect space…or so we think. Grohl and band members Pat Smear, Taylor Hawkins, Chris Shiflett, Nate Mendel and Rami Jaffee find themselves at an ominous mansion with a terrifying history and an even darker secret. As Grohl is lured into the darkness behind the walls, his band members take notice and learn that they must save their frontman from potentially losing his very soul to a home with a dark past and spectral caretaker (Marti Matulis) before their album is completed. 

Director BJ McDonnell’s work in music videos pairs perfectly into making a film based off a story from Dave Grohl. From the beginning you are immediately roped in by backstory, coupled with a strong soundtrack and plot to back it up. You get that the music is vital to driving the movie without being too over the top. As an added touch, the soundtrack would not be complete without John Carpenter, especially when you get him to not only compose the film’s theme but also make a cameo in the film!  And speaking of cameos, Will Forte as a wannabe rockstar/delivery man? Lionel Richie chastising Grohl for tinkering around on a Mellotron on his own rendition of “Hello?” Simply iconic. But, still, the best cameo was the ranch dressing—if you know, you know.  

Also, Studio 666 is proof that the Foo Fighters can act beyond just music videos. Dave Grohl’s prior acting chops as Satan in Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny was only a taste of what he could do with a role. In the earlier stage of Studio 666, Grohl executes the nuance in each line of dialogue with a bit of humor and enough self-deprecation. His exchange with tech Krueger (Kerry King), a/k/a “Krueg,” over the perfect placement of the drums was hilarious—because it’s true. By the latter portion of the film Grohl’s decline into darkness still carries the humor in a more horror-driven manner, especially when he floats into a room to whisper “L Sharp” before darting back out or casually eats raw meat while his bandmates uncomfortably look on.  

But enough about Grohl because, while his storyline was paramount to the movie, his bandmates really packed the much-needed punch – from Rami Jaffee’s sex-fueled advances towards quirky neighbor Samantha (Whitney Cummings) to Pat Smear’s uncanny ability to pop up silently in a scene randomly eating and occasionally providing quintessential horrified glances. I loved that Jaffee brought the horndog to a whole new level while Cummings gave it back in equal hilarity. They should work together more. Even the aloofness and reluctance from Taylor Hawkins seemed on-par, along with Nate Mendel’s rallying mentality over defeating the big bad and Chris Shiflett ‘s barbs over Grohl’s tendency to overkill barbecue. I couldn’t get enough of each character—each role was well written and well delivered.  

Studio 666 is the best balance of music, horror and comedy all rolled up into one film—and of course the only band that could pull it off. If you’re a Halloween fan and need a good scare with great music to get you through the next eight months or so, this is the movie for you.