Waxwork

Mark Loftmore, a wealthy but idle college student, pulls a late night stunt with his new girlfriend Sarah and a circle of friends. They are lured to a slickly sinister wax museum that promises a tour of history’s most monstrous figures. The attraction features 18 figures from history including rulers, scientists and tyrants. What begins as a wild thrill soon turns strange as the exhibits seem to react to the guests, and the group discovers that several people from their social circle have vanished. With trust fraying and paranoia mounting, Mark must figure out whether the museum is just a strange show or a trap from which there may be no escape. The tour runs late.

Waxwork was directed by Anthony Hickox and released in 1988 as an original screenplay blending horror with comedy. Made on a $3 million budget, the film relies on practical effects and set pieces rather than expensive visuals for film fans.

Laurels and critiques arrived in balance, with some reviewers praising the film for its concept and humor while others found the humor uneven. Core themes consider excess and spectacle, using a museum of living legends as a satire of fame and danger. It also leans into tempo and witty dialogue.

Over time Waxwork has built a cult following among 80s horror fans. Its mix of campy monsters, practical effects, and self aware humor inspired later genre blends and wax museum set pieces in horror comedies. Its visual gags and cameo homages are cited by fans in discussions of 80s zeitgeist.

Awards: Waxwork earned some genre recognition, including a Saturn Award nomination for Best Makeup and several niche festival nods. Critics noted the film's risks in tone and visuals, seeing the nominations as a real acknowledgment of its craftsmanship and its place in 80s horror.