"POPEYE THE SLAYER MAN" (2025) Crushes Heads And Cans Of Contaminated Spinach (REVIEW)
We are only into March and we already have at least 4 public-domain horror movies that have been released, and if the last few years have been any indication we are going to get even more each year. Some will groan and talk about how “Hollywood is creatively bankrupt” or “Why don’t they make ‘original’ horror movies?” We can understand the frustration, to an extent, but much of this criticism ignores the fact that there is space for more than one thing. We have plenty of non-IP-driven horror (have you checked Shudder, Screambox, or Found TV lately?) and there is enough space within the genre to accommodate this new sub-genre that dares to take characters we all know and love and give them murderous intentions that would make Ted Bundy look tame. The latest is “Popeye the Slayer Man,” from Director and Co-Writer Robert Michael Ryan from VMI Worldwide and Salem House Films. You’ve seen us promote the film for the last two weeks, but now we see if the spinach is all that’s rotten in Popeye’s last escapades.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
A curious group of friends sneak into an abandoned spinach canning factory to investigate the legend of the "Sailor Man," who is said to haunt the factory and local docks.
HOW IS IT?
We know some of you have already written this film off even before seeing it, and to that, we say, “for shame.” We don’t divert the discussion toward the ire that public-domain horror films unfairly receive. Still, as part of the horror community, we shouldn’t be so quick to cast our hate at filmmakers trying to reinvent characters in ways that should appeal to genre folk because you may miss out on something that will entertain you, and the worst thing you have to lose is 90-minutes of your time. Thankfully, “Popeye The Slayer Man” isn’t a waste of anyone's time and for slasher fans, it should be something they seek out sooner rather than later. It’s not going to redefine the genre, as few films ever do, but it delivers what slasher fans want; great practical effects, a captivating killer, and uses the IP in fun ways that feel germane to the character’s tropes.
In the first 5 minutes of “Popeye The Slayer Man,” it’s clear that you’re in for a bloody good time as the titular character, played perfectly by Jason Stephens, is busting heads (literally) and chewing scenery while spouting his signature one-liner, “I am, what I am” as he sprays blood all over Scream Queen Sarah Nicklin. After this blood-tastic beginning, we get introduced to the cast of characters that resemble the same kinds of slasher fodder we’ve seen before, and while these are familiar archetypes each actor carries their own and brings authenticity to their respective parts and it never veers into cringe territory. It doesn’t take long for the killing to start once the gang arrives at the spinach factory and director Robert Michael Ryan skillfully ensures that the body count steadily rises throughout so the film doesn’t suffer the dreaded second-act slog. Popeye’s bulging forearms and caricature-like head never run into parody, and while he’s certainly not going to linger in your nightmares, this sailor slayer is menacing enough to garner our admiration by not talking too much, but his guttural grunts are perfectly suited for the character and the film.
A good slasher lives or dies on two things; a great killer and solid practical effects and “Popeye The Slayer Man” delivers the goods on both fronts. We’ve already covered Popeye’s killer new look and sound, but the kills and effects work here are superb. Multiple head-crushes, impalements, and dismemberments are just some of the glorious gore work on display here and even if you’re not completely bought into the premise, you can’t deny how fun and good the kills look here. We have a lot of positive things to say about “Popeye The Slayer Man,” but we should acknowledge a few things that didn’t work as well for us. Mainly, the plot twist at the end regarding Oliva’s (Elena Juliano) history. We could see it coming in the first act, and it’s a little hammy for something that is so gleefully violent. It’s the kinda thing that feels like it tries too hard to connect the IP to this new version and use as much of it as possible, but it certainly doesn’t ruin the film either. That said, there is one callback character who shows up in the first act on the hunt for a hamburger which had us cackling, IYKYK.
LAST RITES
“Popeye The Slayer Man” is a bloody, fun, and solid slasher film that uses the IP effectively without ever veering into parody while understanding what makes public-domain horror fun is not taking itself too seriously.
THE GORY DETAILS
Directed By
Written By
E.C. SEGAR (based on characters by)
Starring
Where can you watch it?
“Popeye The Slayer” is available NOW on all major VOD platforms including Apple TVandFandango @ Home
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