‘Killher’ (2023) Is The Must-See Campy Horror Comedy That We Have All Been Waiting For
Female-driven horror movies are in high demand in a world that hungers for new content, new narratives, and fresh perspectives. They have emerged as a captivating and necessary force within the fandom that we all enjoy. These films, guided by powerful women in front of and behind the camera, have transcended the traditional horror movie genre. They are weaving tales that go beyond the macabre to explore the depths of the human experience in a terrifying scenario created for the entertainment of all horror fans.
Female-driven horror movies have become of profound significance in today’s world, where their influence stretches far beyond the silver screen. As our society embraces diversity and equality, these films become a poignant reflection of empowerment. They offer a unique lens through which to explore the fear, strength, and resilience in the modern age of horror. We all love a good story with a final girl, but we even more love a story with a group of final girls kicking ass and taking names.
Recently I had the chance to watch the female-driven and campy horror comedy ‘Killher’ from Dark Sky Films. This movie stars M.C. Huff, Emily Hall, Jenna Z. Alvarez, Nicole Lovince, Tom Kiesche, Harrison White, Jack Schumacher, and Ron Rogge. It was produced by Lan Kay, Ned Kisner, Tom Kiesche, and Ron Rogge. The movie is directed by Robyn August and written by Tom Kiesche. The synopsis for the movie is as follows:
“Mattie and her three besties Eddie, Jess, and Rae head into the woods for a weekend to plan Mattie’s upcoming wedding and bachelorette party. Eddie, Mattie’s roommate and friend who is an unrelenting practical joker, leads them to believe they will be setting up camp near Mattie’s hunk fiancé Jagger and his friends. They soon realize the tent they’ve instead snuggled up next to belongs to a mysterious recluse named Mr. Rogers, and this is definitely his neighborhood!”
With zero cell reception and only a literal pot to piss in, their weekend camping trip is beginning to look like a bad idea for these unhappy campers. But it only gets worse when people start to die and a terrible secret is revealed. All these girls wanted was a killer pre-bachelorette party……and that is exactly what they are going to get.”
Where to start with this film? First off the story. It has everything. It has comedy, it has heart, a good amount of gore, and a bit of a love story turned into one hell of a plot twist that is going to keep you wanting more. The movie centers around 4 friends Eddie (portrayed by M.C Huff), Jess (portrayed by Emily Hall), Rae (portrayed by Nicole Lovince), and the soon-to-be bride Mattie (portrayed by Jenna Z. Alvarez) who all go away for a weekend camping trip to celebrate Mattie’s wedding to her soon to be husband Jagger (portrayed by Jack Schumacher).
Eddie comes off as that friend in the group who clearly only has one fan (in this case her best friend Mattie) and the rest of the group clearly not interested in having her along for the ride. We have all had someone in our friend group who just doesn’t quite fit in yet has to come along on any fun adventure planned, right? Eddie definitely is the oddball of the group and does what she can to fit in, but clearly has a weird sense of humor that only Mattie seems to enjoy. Things of course seem like they are going to be a fun time in the great outdoors, but that soon changes with the sinister plan that slowly unfolds before the viewing audience.
There are a lot of twists, turns, and laughs that really make this movie on3 hell of a great time. As mentioned, it is a bit of a slow burn but really it is needed to build up each character and the impact they will have on the story. A lot of credit goes to director Robyn August’s attention to detail in transitioning this witty and well-written story from paper to the big screen. His directing style really intensifies the talented range of humor, creative storytelling, and all-out “edge of your seat” captivation that writer Tom Kiesche (who also played the character Mr. Rodgers in this movie with such perfection). Their partnership to make this movie the epically dark-humored horror ride that it is was due to the way they clearly worked well off of each other. It is rare that you see a partnership between writer and director exceed every expectation that you might have for a movie, especially a horror movie.
Not only was the cast, writing, and directing well done but the location for this movie was well used. Sure, the wooded areas of the outdoors are beautiful, but if you can find a space that can be the foundation for making every scene look pristine, then you have chosen wisely. Most of the movie takes place in the California wilderness. It is a horror movie centered around the main characters camping, so that shouldn’t be too much of a surprise. I really loved that it wasn’t just the run-of-the-mill spooky woods or generic areas of woods that horror movies tend to be shot in. It was an area that helped this movie and its characters take center stage in a way most movies don’t these days. It was a beautiful place that really helped the filming of this movie look amazing and highlighted every minute you watched it.
One thing that is not only enjoyable in a horror movie but is much needed is a great side character. This movie definitely had one of the most enjoyable side characters that I have seen on screen in a long time. The character of HXB (or Hot Crossed Buns) was portrayed so well by Harrison White. He was the kind of character who really shined every minute he was on screen. He was hilarious, charming, and a character I would love to see in another horror comedy. He was so well-written and also perfectly cast. HXB definitely is going to need his own horror comedy with him as the main character one day hopefully soon.
The best thing about this movie (besides the story, acting, and of course the much-appreciated practical effects with the gore) was how the dark humor in this movie was so well placed. Not spoiling anything of course but there is a scene where a character is playfully skipping from one cabin to another with cheerful music being played for the score. Each time this character goes to the cabin door they have a witty greeting right before they brutally murder the person who answers. It was so damn funny. I loved every minute of it. I am a big fan of comedy in horror movies. There are some greats out there like ‘Shaun of the Dead’, ‘Idle Hands’, ‘Happy Death Day’ etc but this movie is definitely one I would put up there as a classic that could be enjoyed for many years to come. There is also another really great montage of Mr. Rogers (portrayed by writer Tom Kiesche) gearing up to take on the movie’s villain that was so well done that it reminded me of those great Ash Williams moments in ‘Evil Dead’.
It has been a bit since I saw a movie that simultaneously made me laugh, put me on the edge of my seat, and made me love being a fan of horror movies that much more. This was a fantastically done movie and one you are going to want to enjoy for yourself. The movie has a lot of great things about it (even more than what is mentioned in this review) and has one hell of a badass soundtrack to it.
‘Killher’ from Dark Sky Films is now available in select theaters and for digital release. Be sure to add this well-made horror comedy classic to your watchlist and save a place for it on your shelf when a physical copy is available.
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