The Gathering

The Gathering is set up as a horror anthology containing half a dozen stories, aiming to bring together a host of high-profile horror actors led by Doug Bradley, Udo Kier and William Sadler. The pic's framing story, The Storytellers, is set on Halloween night with the devil bringing together Edgar Allan Poe, Bram Stoker, H.P. Lovecraft and Mary Shelley in a competition to tell the most frightening untold tale with the winner receiving the opportunity to leave purgatory forever. The anthology's other entries include stories centered on cemeteries, vampires, a possessed dummy, zombies, a runaway daughter and a horror-movie fanatic with a terminal disease.

Directed by Johnnyray Gasca, The Gathering leans on a strong ensemble — Al Leong, Isaac C. Singleton, Jr., Darryl 'DMC' McDaniels — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about action titles of 0.