I just saw the horror movie Sleepaway Camp (1983) for the first time ever last night directed by Robert Hiltzik. First off, I don't want to give away too much about the movie... but the ending/last scene is EVERYTHING. It makes the whole movie worth it and it's makes you re-think the whole movie in a matter of seconds.
At first I thought, this is just another one of your slasher camp movies from the 80s probably trying to bite off the whole 'Friday The 13th' vibe. Seems like making horror movies in the 80s was a quick way to make a buck, but this is just... different?
Felissa Rose gave an excellent performance as Angela... but the whole movie was fucking bizarre (I just can't seem to stop saying it). Seriously, I really mean bizarre. You're either going to love it or hate it. To make a long story short... Camp Arawak is a place you don't want to be. Before I keep ranting, let me give you a brief summary via IMDB.
"Slightly traumatized and painfully shy Angela Baker is sent away to summer camp with her cousin. Not long after Angela's arrival, things start to go horribly wrong for anyone with sinister or less than honorable intentions."
You may think this movie sounds utterly predictable but it's not, I promise. It's an 80s horror flick with a massive twist unlike any I've seen.
Funny how horror movies in the 80s have similar qualities right? Massive cursing from teenagers, story lines about sexual repression/sexual molestation and harasment, being picked on and being the outsider, terrible parent or family members who fuck up your whole brain and make you want to wreak havoc, the worst camp counselors in the world... This were all qualities seen time after time in horror movies in the 80's... You don't really see them displayed the same way in movies now-a-days...
I think everyone should see this movie 100%. Even if you hate it, it's a life experience. That last scene is definitely the pay off, but you have to sit through the whole thing to feel rewarded. The last scene is so horrific, so way out of left field that you never see it coming.
It's some scary shit, you can watch the movie in it's entirety on YouTube HERE.
After you've seen this movie and have taken a moment to reflect on the madness, you can check out this rad podcast with Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, Jason Mantzoukas "Sleepaway Camp - How did this get made?". They literally tear the movie apart and do a very in depth analysis.
Enjoy kids, Let me know how it goes.
Xx Nubia
