Independent
cinema is the life blood of the medium. While blockbuster titans duel in
(now closed) multiplexes, it is the smaller, intimate pictures that form the
foundation of cinema. From highbrow art house to down and dirty grindhouse,
film continues to be one of the most malleable art forms and its via low budget
wizardry that the boundaries of creativity are constantly tested. Dustin
Mills’ irreverent odyssey Slaughterhouse Slumber Party is a benchmark in
exploitative horror. Featuring a hilarious ensemble cast, a delightfully
raunchy script, and a surprising amount of heart, this is an outstanding guilty
pleasure experience.
A
group of friends gather for an annual weekend of debauchery in which clothing
is optional and no boys are allowed. A newcomer to the event brings with
her a dark agenda, forcing the women to band together to fight unthinkable
terrors with iodized salt, true love, and bodily fluids. Mills’ script is
remarkable, both for its homage to the exploitation films of the 70s and in its
fearless supposition that being comfortable with yourself is perhaps the most
powerful weapon in existence. The entirely female cast is full of
intelligent actresses who understand comedy and the pure delight of loving your
craft. On the surface it would be easy to dismiss this as a late night Skinemax
throwback...there is nudity aplenty. However, the realization that most
of the cast spends the duration of the film naked shows not only their devotion
to the project, but also their fearlessness in expressing who they are.
This is the film's strength; these women know who they are and each of their
characters feel real to different extents.
Beyond
the satirical nature of the personas within the house there's several layers of
subtext. Themes of love, secrets, and dedication to the absurd abound,
though they are at times hard to find underneath the endless parade of breasts
and pubic hair and this most likely done with intent. Women have spent
centuries being judged by their appearances, and Mills double downs on this
conceit by filming his subjects at their most vulnerable, in a safe environment
in which finding pride in oneself ultimately becomes their salvation.
While the film never takes anything seriously for more than a handful of
seconds, the comedic constraints only reinforce the underlying theme. This
is a cast and crew who quite frankly don't care what your opinion is and their
strength resonates within every blood tinged frame.
The effects and cinematography combine 80s pastiches with perfectly cheesy CGI to create a madcap wonderland around the principals. While the bulk of the action is within the house, the single set comes to life as demons, ghosts, and other creatures stalk to party goers. Mills' cinematography is framed as a mockumentary/reality tv experience that splices fourth wall breaking monologues in between the action. The end result is an almost artificial ambiance that reminds the viewer that everyone involved (including them) is in on the joke.
The effects and cinematography combine 80s pastiches with perfectly cheesy CGI to create a madcap wonderland around the principals. While the bulk of the action is within the house, the single set comes to life as demons, ghosts, and other creatures stalk to party goers. Mills' cinematography is framed as a mockumentary/reality tv experience that splices fourth wall breaking monologues in between the action. The end result is an almost artificial ambiance that reminds the viewer that everyone involved (including them) is in on the joke.
Overall,
Slaughterhouse Slumber Party is the kind of film you would sneak into a
sleepover or hide under your mattress, but it has been reframed and repackaged
with modern sensibilities and a powerful message about being comfortable with
who you are. Girl Power is on display here, but unlike Hollywood cash
grabs attempting to profit from the latest trends, Mills and his cast do it
with soul and conviction.
--Kyle Jonathan
--Kyle Jonathan