Review: The Slumber Party Massacre (1982)

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Directed by Amy Holden Jones and written by Rita Mae Brown, the first installment of the namesake trilogy. Distributed by New World Pictures and produced by Santa Fe Productions. Released in September and November of 1982, the slasher flick had a budget of $220,000 and grossed $3.6 billion at the box office.

The cult classic commences with vibrant red font announcing the film's title, followed by the names of cast members, also presented in a rich red pigment. Organ music accompanies the introduction, immediately followed by the nudity 1980s splatter film enthusiasts cherish and have grown to expect.

Cinematographically, the film is crisp and balanced, with cinematographer Stephen L. Posey adequately preserving focus on the cast without disparaging the idyllic environment surrounding the characters.

Aside from the infrequent absurdities, the cast, comprised of Michelle Michaels, Robin Stille, Michael Villella, Debra Deliso, and Andree Honore, delivers a phenomenal performance, with the victims of "Russ" exquisitely conveying the life of teenage girls in an idyllic suburb.

The score leaves more to be desired and presents nothing unique. Utilizing the rinse-and-repeat method typical of 80s Slasher films, one can expect the same old organ and dissonant stringed compositions.

The killer, played by Michael Villella, only speaks to proclaim his love for his victims throughout the film; however, his demeanor and choice of weapon nonetheless make him a terrifying antagonist. The scenes of violence are plentiful; however, they are short and more humorous than horrifying. Nevertheless, resourceful, opportunistic, and vicious, Mr. Villella is the embodiment of a 1980s Slasher film villain.

In conclusion, the adored cult classic has no dull moments of stagnancy and will keep viewers engaged through the entire 76-minute run time. A must-see for slasher aficionandos.

As a result, we rate The Slumber Party Massacre a 9/10.