We’ve seen our share of killer plants, but unlike Audrey II of Little Shop of Horrors, or the alien plant spores of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, the pumpkin creature of Carved is understandably out for revenge, with given that it’s been mutated by nuclear waste and surrounded by the disemboweled remains of its fellow kin. It’s more goofy than scary, with the play troupe bickering between themselves as they try to figure out what to do, and the spooky pumpkin comes to live through a pretty decent mix of practical and CGI effects, but the premise feels a bit overstretched even if it’s only around ninety minutes. Carved is a fun slasher flick for casual viewing, but viewers looking for a true scare might be better off looking elsewhere.

The pumpkin. The gnarly, spoiled fruit looks quite grisly, and the octopus-like use of its vines creates a unique look to this terrifying gourd.