In a surprisingly robust slate of 2021 slashers (Halloween Kills, the Fear Street trilogy, Chucky TV show), the one that proves the most delightful of surprises is Slumber Party Massacre. A remake/sort-of sequel to the 1982 original, it shouldn’t prove such a shock that this new installment works as much as it does. Standing out in a sea of problematic 80s fare, the original were charming feminists interpretations of the Final Girl. Whilst adopting many of the tropes of the subgenre, Slumber Party Massacre (and a pair of sequels) proved, in retrospect, a clever take-down of the films around them.
Flash forward to today and this knowingness is present in this year’s installment. On paper the set-up of a sorority girls in a cabin in the wood being attacked by a maniac with a ridiculously large electric drill feels done-and-dusted. But it is how the narrative weaves itself that will thrill audiences the most, with a series of rug pulls effectively resetting the rules of the slasher game that is being played. Although never quite as compelling as the first reveal, Slumber Party Massacre is particularly enjoyable in its willingness to wrong-foot audiences.
Suzanne Keilly’s script is witty and knowing, with a roster of appealing characters that skew away from the unlikeable victims that have plagued slashers in the past. And this is all delicately played by director Danishka Esterhazy. It’s refreshing to get some female gaze in a subgenre so often taken from the male perspective, and Esterhazy’s direction deftly balances tension with comedy. This reviewer would love to see her handed the keys to any number of beloved horror franchises and will be keeping an eye on her name going forward. Slumber Party Massacre is an exceptional breakout for her, even after festival hits like the Banana Splits Movie and Level 16.
It helps that the cast are all terrific, gamely playing their parts and managing to sell each twist and turn as the story goes on. Hannah Gonera leads the way, bringing a wickedly entertaining quality to her final girl role, whilst Rob van Vuuren makes a suitably loopy killer. But impressively there is not a single poor note in the mix.
To say this reviewer loved 2021’s Slumber Party Massacre is an understatement. It’s an uproariously enjoyable take down of the slasher movie, with any parody handled with a loving hand. Whilst the last act suffers from a reveal too many, it can’t diminish how good this horror is, and this proves to be the best of the recent roster of slashers.
Bring some cookies and your PJs and tune in for a party you’ll not want to end.
Flash forward to today and this knowingness is present in this year’s installment. On paper the set-up of a sorority girls in a cabin in the wood being attacked by a maniac with a ridiculously large electric drill feels done-and-dusted. But it is how the narrative weaves itself that will thrill audiences the most, with a series of rug pulls effectively resetting the rules of the slasher game that is being played. Although never quite as compelling as the first reveal, Slumber Party Massacre is particularly enjoyable in its willingness to wrong-foot audiences.
Suzanne Keilly’s script is witty and knowing, with a roster of appealing characters that skew away from the unlikeable victims that have plagued slashers in the past. And this is all delicately played by director Danishka Esterhazy. It’s refreshing to get some female gaze in a subgenre so often taken from the male perspective, and Esterhazy’s direction deftly balances tension with comedy. This reviewer would love to see her handed the keys to any number of beloved horror franchises and will be keeping an eye on her name going forward. Slumber Party Massacre is an exceptional breakout for her, even after festival hits like the Banana Splits Movie and Level 16.
It helps that the cast are all terrific, gamely playing their parts and managing to sell each twist and turn as the story goes on. Hannah Gonera leads the way, bringing a wickedly entertaining quality to her final girl role, whilst Rob van Vuuren makes a suitably loopy killer. But impressively there is not a single poor note in the mix.
To say this reviewer loved 2021’s Slumber Party Massacre is an understatement. It’s an uproariously enjoyable take down of the slasher movie, with any parody handled with a loving hand. Whilst the last act suffers from a reveal too many, it can’t diminish how good this horror is, and this proves to be the best of the recent roster of slashers.
Bring some cookies and your PJs and tune in for a party you’ll not want to end.