There’s something special about a horror-adjacent coming-of-age movie that doesn’t feel the need to go full horror. Grow Up, Tony Phillips walks that line. It’s a Halloween movie without a body count. A story about identity, nostalgia, and not wanting to grow up—without the usual genre crutches. And Graveface Film’s blu-ray release finally gives this underseen 2013 gem the proper treatment it’s always deserved. Fans of Joe Dante, Freaks and Geeks, and Halloween as a mood—not a threat—this one’s for you.
Directed by Emily Hagins (who, side note, her first feature Pathogen has a stellar AGFA release), Grow Up, Tony Phillips is a small-town Texas story about a high school senior who refuses to stop loving Halloween. His friends think he’s childish. His family wants him to get serious. But Tony? He just wants to make a cool costume, hand out candy, and vibe with October.
What makes the film work is its honesty. It’s not a spoof. It’s not ironic. It doesn’t wink at the audience or crank out fake scares. It plays the struggle of being out-of-step with your peers completely straight. That sincerity is rare—and kind of beautiful.
The cast is charmingly rough around the edges. Tony (played by Tony Vespe) brings an awkward, real-world likability to the role. No snark, no edge—just earnest Halloween love in a world that’s slowly giving up on it. The dialogue isn’t always tight, but the tone? Perfect. The cinematography makes suburban Texas feel weirdly cozy, and the score leans into synthy Halloween nostalgia without being obvious. This movie isn’t trying to be a cult classic—it already is one, if you’re wired the right way.
Graveface Films treat this release with the kind of affection most boutique labels save for forgotten gorefests or VHS-era slashers. And that’s what makes it cool—they’re elevating a film that’s gentle, weird, and very much outside the usual genre reissue circuit.
The transfer looks great. Shot digitally in 2012-ish on a modest budget, the original image was never going to be hyper-polished. But this disc gets the tone and texture right. Warm autumn colors, crisp nighttime scenes, and none of the overly aggressive DNR or compression you sometimes see on lower-tier indie releases. Dialogue stays clear, and the soundtrack (a mix of synth, indie rock, and ambient Halloween vibes) pops without overpowering the scene.
Extras:
This is where the disc shines:
- Commentary Track with Emily Hagins and Tony Vespe – Insightful, laid-back, and full of indie filmmaking war stories. You get a real sense of the passion behind the project.
- Making of Documentary – Homemade but endearing. Lots of handheld footage from the set and post-production. It captures the scrappy spirit of the whole operation.
- CD of the Soundtrack – There’s something undeniably special about extras like a soundtrack CD bundled with a release. For us physical media collectors, it’s those thoughtful touches that make every purchase feel like a celebration of the film. With prices creeping higher, getting tangible bonuses like this makes it all the more worth it — and let’s be honest, popping in a CD from a favorite movie is the kind of nostalgia hit that streaming just can’t touch.
This release isn’t flashy—it’s lovingly specific. Graveface FIlms clearly care about the film, and about building a catalog that’s more than just blood and guts (not that there’s anything wrong with that- look where you are). They’re archiving vibes. Grow Up, Tony Phillips is for the weirdos who miss trick-or-treating, who still walk through the Halloween aisle in August, and who don’t need a slasher to feel seen in October.
If you like your horror flavored with heart—and you love a boutique label that takes risks on the oddballs—this disc is an easy buy.
Rating: 4 out of 5 foam pumpkins.
Because Halloween doesn’t end when you turn 18, if you don’t let it.
