Get This Revenge Party Started With "GUYS AT PARTIES LIKE IT"
The modern horror movie formula is forever changing to meet more ways to terrify us and think. One way is finding ways to add real-world messages to the plot. One way they are doing this is by cleverly and skillfully intertwining the #MeToo message with chilling narratives, transforming classic horror movie tropes into platforms for female empowerment. Imagine a horror film where the usual title of the "final girl" isn't just surviving by sheer luck but strategically takes on a villain that possibly mirrors real-world abuses that threaten women every day. This savvy blending of social commentary with the horrifying suspense offers not only nail-biting tension but also a purifying victory against modern oppression. With razor-sharp wit, some horror movies are subverting clichés by turning the “damsel in distress” into a mastermind of her own rescue. Such stories not only keep horror viewers on the edge of their seats but also provide a satisfying punch to the gut of outdated norms. They are proving that horror movies can be both terrifying and triumphantly progressive, expanding their audiences to gather for a scary yet informative take on cinema.
Recently we here at Macabre Daily got a chance to not only be terrified but follow a modern-day final girl’s bloody rampage with Terror Films Releasing’s newest revenge horror movie “Guys at Parties Like It”. This movie stars Monica Garcia Bradley, Pablo Sandstrom, Anthony Notarile, and Yuhua Hamasaki. It is written/directed by Micah & Colton Coate, as well as produced by AJ Mattioli. The synopsis for this movie is as follows:
“A sorority girl Mary finds herself engrossed in a dangerous game of survival when a ritualistic frat party spins out of control.”
There are a lot of things that can be said about how this new addition to the Terror Films Releasing horror library. This movie skillfully blends a great horror story, enjoyably bloody amounts of gore with its kills, and even an element of comedy with its talented writing/directing. It is very well performed by an excellent cast that keeps you wanting more, thanks to the foundation and depth of the story being executed by a group of very talented actors. This movie revolves around Mary (portrayed by Monica Garcia Bradley), a college woman who loves life and a good party but ends up regretting her recent night out at a popular frat’s pledge night party. There is also the side plot with Brad (portrayed by Anthony Nortalie) who is a pledge at a frat trying to prove his worth by losing his virginity before a mysterious ritual takes place. There are a lot of moments that allude to this ritual throughout the entire movie, but it won’t be what you expect.
The strength of this movie’s story lies in its subversive take on the familiar tropes of the modern-day horror genre while making some unexpected ones of its own for its viewers. It does this so well by making you feel entertained by the slow-burn build-up that when the horror starts, it will hit you out of nowhere. This is due to the comedic acting and timing of the entire cast, helping the story move along to intense moments. It doesn’t just aim to scare the audience watching it but entertain as well as enlighten us to some real terror. It holds up a mirror to the dark side of social dynamics and the consequences of unchecked male privilege. The performance of the last woman standing is strong, with Monica Grace Bradley delivering a performance that swings between vulnerability and unbridled vengeful fury. Producer AJ Mattioli had this to say about the movie during a recent press release:
“What makes “Guys at Parties Like It’” particularly scary is the fact that the events depicted in the film could happen at any time, in any frat house, to any girl. The monsters in this film are not supernatural beings or creatures from another realm, but rather human beings capable of horrific acts. This sense of realism and relatability adds a layer of personal and visceral fear to the film, as viewers are forced to confront the dark and twisted nature of humanity. The fight for survival becomes all the more intense and gripping when the monsters are human, as it blurs the lines between fiction and reality.”
Not only did producer AJ Mattioli make some excellent points about this movie, but the writing/directing team The Coates also added to the press conference their thoughts:
“Despite its weighty themes, ‘Guys at Parties Like It’ is a comical and entertaining evisceration of rape culture, misogyny, and all of their counterparts.”
While the story of this movie is quite incredible, the look of it is just as good. Visually, “Guys at Parties Like It” makes excellent use of its setting, transforming the ordinary college party scenes that are fueled by all the usual substances, into claustrophobic nightmares when jumping into the second and third acts. The cinematography enhances the sense of dread, using tight angles and shadowy lighting to keep viewers on edge with the low lighting and occasional bright lights during the party scenes that can get you pumped up for more. The sound design, too, deserves a great deal of recognition as well for its role in building an atmosphere thick with tension with a great score that seamlessly transfers from the great music to dance, right into moments of terrifying anxiety. One of the best things about this movie is how the blood, gore, and deaths continue to escalate to more extreme measures as things progress.
There is a lot of gore in this movie, and it is done right in a way that never feels rushed or out of place. Some of it will catch you out of nowhere with people getting killed seemingly for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, to our heroine dropping down her hammer of vengeance with a perfect strike of attack. One of the best kills in our option is towards the end of the film when Mary’s efforts of survival culminate in one final act of true revenge. It is so gory, realistic, and gruesome that it will stay with you well into the end of the credits rolling. While the gore is wonderfully done and the scares are well-executed, the film’s real horror lies in its plausibility of happening right in your own town.
‘Guys at Parties Like It’ is not just a horror movie; it’s a societal critique wrapped in a bloody, revenge-fueled package. If you can handle its unflinching gaze into the abyss of human behavior, as well as a gore-filled third act, it’s a must-watch that will leave you thinking twice about your next party invitation. TFR will premiere the film on their YouTube Terror Channel on July 5th, 2024, including a live chat with the filmmaker. The film will then roll out across multiple platforms on July 12th, 2024, including Chilling, Tubi TV, PlayNow Media, UDU TV, Kings of Horror, and many more. For more terrifyingly gripping horror movie reviews, stay tuned to Macabre Daily.
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