The Mortuary Collection (2019) is a stylish and clever horror anthology that breathes fresh life into the portmanteau format. Set in the eerie Raven's End Funeral Home, the film follows a young woman named Sam who applies for a job with the enigmatic mortician, Montgomery Dark. As part of her interview, Dark regales her with four distinct tales of terror, each showcasing a different flavor of macabre fate, from a pickpocket in a haunted bathroom to a frat boy's deadly encounter. The stories are woven together by the central framing narrative, which itself holds dark secrets.

Writer-director Ryan Spindell demonstrates a clear love for classic horror anthologies like 'Creepshow' and 'Tales from the Crypt,' but injects the film with a modern sensibility and impressive production value. Clancy Brown delivers a wonderfully theatrical and captivating performance as Montgomery Dark, perfectly balancing charm and menace. The individual segments are inventive, often blending horror with dark humor and a satisfying sense of poetic justice. The practical effects and creature designs are a standout, offering tangible scares in an age of over-reliance on CGI.

Viewers should watch The Mortuary Collection for its cohesive vision, strong performances, and its successful execution of the anthology structure. It’s a love letter to horror fans that manages to be both nostalgic and original, offering chills, chuckles, and a genuinely compelling wraparound story that pays off brilliantly in the final act. It's a must-watch for anyone seeking a well-crafted, imaginative horror experience.