VICIOUS FUN (2020)
It seems like every other day on social media, there’s a post where some bloodthirsty horror fan is seeking some good movie recommendations so they can hunker down and get spooked. It’s tough to sort the wheat from the chaff when it comes to good and bad horror movies. When we had video stores, you had to pick something and no matter if it was substandard, it’s what you were stuck with. Since there’s so many choices on so many services, it’s usually wise to keep a few good ones in your pocket for quick guidance. It’s equally advisable to keep different genres on hand, whether it be paranormal or found footage, or—as in the case of this week’s recommendation—slashers. One such movie that I always advocate for is the meta hack ‘n’ slash comedy VICIOUS FUN.
Directed by Cody Calahan, VICIOUS FUN is the story of Joel, a film critic for a horror magazine called Vicious Fanatics. After a particularly tough day on the clock, both personally and professionally, he retreats to a local bar to tie a few on and passes out. When he awakes, he discovers that he’s locked in with a group of serial killers who are attending a self-help seminar. What ensues is a cruelly bloody, funny as hell, body counter. It’s a little bit GREEN ROOM in the cat and mouse way that Joel and Carrie work to survive the myriad lunatics on their tail.
VICIOUS FUN is to slasher comedies what SHAUN OF THE DEAD is to humorous gut-munchers—it’s clever, it winks, but not in an off-putting manner. So many meta horror comedies don’t break the fourth wall so much as they jab your chest, screeching at you to catch the many, not-so subtle references. For example, though it takes place in the 1980s, there’s nary a pop culture reference or musical needle drop in sight. A lesser horror movie might make the magazine Joel writes for Fangoria or Rue Morgue, but not here. It also pokes gentle fun at horror fans, knowing that the fans are the ones who keep the genre alive, but can also risk alienating others with their immense knowledge and inflated sense of self.
Many modern horror films that want to emulate SCREAM took the wrong example from Wes Craven’s landmark classic. It isn’t so much the winkiness that folks like, it’s that it was paired with an excellent slasher—which is what a number of newer films fail to grasp. VICIOUS FUN does not make this mistake. It relishes being a slasher movie.
The script by James Villeneuve cuts through the opening beats quickly, getting to the good, gory stuff with the speed of a bolt of lightning.
It is worth noting that VICIOUS FUN is a gorgeously shot film (courtesy of cinematographer Jeff Maher), with all sorts of neon colors splashing around amidst the dark, rainy, and foggy photography. It’s an eye candy slasher with synthy chords (courtesy of Steph Copeland) that puts the fun smack dab in the title. The comedic aspects of the movie actually gel quite nicely with the slasher elements. There are solid running gags throughout like a bit about a killer taxicab driver or the lead’s inability to keep his gag reflex in check.
Each character, major or minor, has a wry sense of humor. Despite the comical aspect though, the violence tends to trend towards being more grounded and realistic, but after all, it is a horror movie. The gore is what we’re there for.
The character of Joel, could come off as unlikable (his behavior towards his roommate could grate on some viewers) and whiny, but Evan Marsh imbues him with a sense of affability that makes you hope that he’ll survive, rather than being knifed up by the frenzied maniacs. Marsh shares the lion’s den of the laughs in the movie, and handles it with aplomb.
Other great additions to the cast are Amber Goldfarb as Carrie—who plays both sides of the blade excellently—a cold, calculating killer, but one that might have a heart of gold. There’s David Koechner as his usual sleazy blowhard and Julian Ritchings playing against type (well, compared to his myriad roles in Canadian horror movies anyways).
The standout is Ari Millen as Bob, the psychopathic realtor, whose easy charisma makes it easy to believe why the madman hasn’t been caught in all this time. Millen’s subtle bits of menacing business are terrific and make Bob a remarkable villain.
Villeneuve’s screenplay also centers Carrie and Joel’s relationship as the cornerstone of the film and the actors have a strong chemistry and ability to sell their “buddy cop” roles.
They each have sharply defined character arcs throughout, whether it be Joel finding his special purpose and strengthening his relationship with his roommate.
Carrie’s half of the plotline has little seeds planted throughout of her backstory, which hint at a prequel or sequel, either of which would be welcomed by the film’s end.
VICIOUS FUN is one of those horror comedies that plays at a festival like Fantastic Fest, kills at a midnight screening, and then premieres to digital viewing, only to get lost in a sea of streaming. This title does not deserve to be underseen. It deserves to be screened by you, the reader and a gaggle of your friends.
VICIOUS FUN is currently streaming on Shudder and is available on home video.
