Gale Stay Away from Oz (2023) User Reviews

Generic horror with Oz aspects

[mattdlegge · 6/10 · 21 September 2023]

Created an account just to give this review. I am a huge fan of Frank Baum's books and the Return to Oz film (I haven't even bothered to watch the 2013 film), so I think my opinion holds some weight.

This feels like it was made because the Oz universe recently came into the public domain, and there was a desire to capitalize on it.

It has many Oz references (thank god they got the *silver* slippers right) but fails to *feel* like a dark Oz film. Oz is fantastical, even fun, but has that creepy edge to it that taints everything. This was perfectly captured in the Return to Oz film.

This short film (runtime of 28 minutes) just feels like a bunch of horror tropes strung together with Oz theming. There is the makings of a great story here, but I feel like the screenplay needed more work. It's a short film with limited time, but if less time was spent on being 'creepy' and more time was spent on tying things together and telling a story, it would have been much better.

TL;DR You don't need all the creepy music and flashing lights, the Oz universe is *already* creepy. Just tell a compelling story with good characterization in this universe and it will turn out good.

Gimme more!

[nafreee · 7/10 · 19 September 2023]

It's only 27 minutes! You just get going and then "to be continued". So far it's got potential, it's definitely a pet project, not a major motion picture production. The story is there. The acting is better than ok, not great tho. The makeup spfx could use some refining... Even Mombi's "crazed" look is pretty pathetic makeup... The creatures are mediocre. The flying monkey looked like carved wood. However, the Wheelers are back so that's terrifying!! I appreciate that the slippers are back to silver. Let's see how this plays out. I just hope that it's all finished and it'll just be released in small chunks, this will be a great lunch break video if/when we get more.

This has a lot of potential - I'd love more

[FilmsCanChangeTheWorld · 7/10 · 1 October 2023]

I enjoyed it. It's ambitious and could be something great. This short film is a prototype for what could potentially be a groundbreaking way to experience Oz through the horror genre. It has legs and many of the elements needed to take this where it needs to be. From a scriptwriting perspective it needs a lot more work on things like pacing and dialogue, but considering it's got little in the way of a budget, it gives us a glimpse of what it could be with some more work. I applaud Daniel Alexander for seeing an opportunity in a much loved piece of work. I first saw the preview a while back on TikTok and can tell you now the most people already guessed what the twist/reveal was based on a casting choice, however if the story finds it's way into a feature film, hopefully there are more twists to be discovered.

Enchanting film, but needs to be longer

[LauraT1977 · 9/10 · 23 September 2023]

This is my inaugural review, but I've been eagerly anticipating this film for over a year and it did not let me down, except I wished it was longer. Despite its short duration, the film was ingeniously crafted. Ever since I caught a glimpse of the trailer last fall, I've been on tenterhooks for this movie. The characters are all meaningful, each with clear objectives, and the chilling tone reminded me of my first encounter with Return to Oz. The world they've built, the dreamy atmosphere, the rhythm, all of it has a unique allure. Seeing what they have done with the characters to bring them into the present day is a delight and surprisingly very believable considering their backgrounds.

My favorite moment *spoiler alert* was the reappearance of the wheelers, and the climactic revelations that beautifully transitioned the tone. The performances were solid, particularly the mature actress portraying Dorothy. The suspense leading up to her first appearance was incredibly potent and I'm eager to see this aspect developed in future installments.

Die-hard Oz fans may crave more, given the film's brief 27 minute runtime and its deviation from the usual Wizard of Oz cliches. However, as a horror enthusiast and an admirer of the Wizard of Oz, I found the film to be robust and a promising precursor to a larger project that I hope is in the pipeline. I'm thrilled to see how the narrative unfolds.

My only gripe is that I wished to see the contents of 'the book'. It's a fascinating addition to the Oz universe and I was captivated by the mystery of its contents, of which we only catch glimpses. Perhaps this was a deliberate choice, but my curiosity was certainly piqued.

As I've mentioned, for a short film, I found this to be exceptional and a smart way to lay the groundwork for a larger universe. It's clear that the creators have a distinct talent for the horror genre, with every element seeming intentional and skillfully designed. My only desire is that it could have been longer.

Just weird

[day-10589 · 3/10 · 6 January 2024]

I'm not entirely sure what this is meant to be? It's listed as a movie but it's under 30 minutes in duration. I watched it because I was intrigued. However, I have no idea what I just watched? It just seems to this girl with I assume some mental health problems who seems to be stuck in an endless loop of weird dreams relating to her possible grandmother who seems to be Dorothy from the wizard of Oz. She literally wakes from one dream/nightmare and seems to be in another. I didn't jump once even though the movie tries it's best to to make you jump and I have literally no idea what this movie/series is trying to do or where the plot is trying to take you? I'm not even sure there is a plot.

I've seen other reviews give this a decent rating although I generally have no idea why because its just weird.

Love it! I want more!

[quadrolaharen · 10/10 · 14 February 2024]

I love this so much! I must say that you won't understand it without seeing "return to oz" starring fairuza balk from 1985. It's a full length dark and twisted view of oz. Watch that first! I love that movie too..it's one of my favorites!

I love this so much! I must say that you won't understand it without seeing "return to oz" starring fairuza balk from 1985. It's a full length dark and twisted view of oz. Watch that first! I love that movie too..it's one of my favorites

I love this so much! I must say that you won't understand it without seeing "return to oz" starring fairuza balk from 1985. It's a full length dark and twisted view of oz. Watch that first! I love that movie too..it's one of my favorites.

Amazing for a start.

[angelasuematis · 10/10 · 30 October 2023]

It drew me in, I subscribe to the chilling app a month ago just for this show...now waiting still to see more of it. Was hoping when the app said now streaming it meant I could watch more than episode 1 over again. I love that it is staying based on the original oz movie, which I've watched since the 1970s. I always hoped it would take a sinister twist and now it has. Our adult children and three oldest grandchildren can not wait to be able to also watch it. They were a bit disappointed when I told them that it is only available on the chilling app, their phones do not support that app. Hope it's available on tv channels soon.