PopHorror Let's Get Scared
NOTE: This review was generated during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, this film wouldn’t exist. PopHorror fully supports the WGA and SAG-AFTRA and their efforts.
Trying to find new ways to spin off stylized slasher films is a common frustration among independent genre filmmakers in 2023. Murdercise is a fun new take on a horror slasher that never loses the charm of the films it pays homage to. So put on your headbands, get a good stretch in, and let’s get the blood pumping with a fast-paced indie horror flick.
Murdercise is written by Paul Ragsdale (Slashlorette Party 2020) and co-directed by Ragsdale and Angelica De Alba (Streets of Vengeance 2016). It stars Kansas Bowling (Christmas Bloody Christmas 2022), Nina Lanee Kent (Slashlorette Party 2020), and Jessa Flux (Shingles: The Movie 2023).
The plot revolves around a group of ladies making a sexy aerobics video in an attempt to achieve their big acting break, while they angle to out-maneuver each other in order to be the video’s standout star. The acting in this film can be over the top at times (by design) but allows for more depth than a lot of other low-budget film scripts. All of the leads nail their tropes and add a lot of extra spices to the broth.
Flux’s character plays like a cutthroat starlet, thirsty enough for fame that she has no problem using her sexuality to achieve it. Bowling’s character offers a staunch departure from the other women, as her more conservative nature strives to do things for the love of the craft. Kent’s character serves as a take-no-crap mob daughter who enjoys stirring the chaos and watching the studio burn around her. This film deserves a lot of credit for fleshing out these characters and giving almost everyone something meaningful to do.
Murdercise clearly has roots in classic horror, and the team of Ragsdale and De Alba infuses their love of the genre nicely. The studio makes for a claustrophobic location, while still giving the characters enough room and areas to have their asides before they become victims. It almost feels like Slumber Party Massacre, Chopping Mall (read our retro review here), or Intruder aside from the vibrant colors and pulsing personalities that add an extra layer to this movie.
But Murdercise is a lot more than just neon colors and cast chemistry. It gives a nod back to early 1970s horror when pornography and sex were the only real ways to break into the horror genre of filmmaking. Even top-notch directors like Wes Craven and Sean Cunningham got their start with skin flicks and graphic gore-revenge films, and that’s the motivation that’s written into the characters here. Every actor uses sex for money or connections in this movie in some way, so it feels very accurate to that time period.
Murdercise also manages to mix up the killings in a unique way. While it’s hard to delve into without any spoilers, the murders often come with a surprising tone, and a surprise assailant. That off-kilter writing is refreshing and is balanced by a lot of fan service for people that enjoy the local film scene.
On top of the lighting and 80’s style score, you get a lot of actors that are playing roles that fit them like a glove. The next time you’re in the mood for a horror workout, Murdercise should really get your blood pumping.
You can rent the movie now at New Village Video.
