The Final Girls

Rating 4/5

Though this movie isn't technically a straight horror movie, I have chosen to put it in the "Silver Scream" category based on the fact that it is a comedy trapped inside a horror movie.

Max, played by Taissa Farmiga, is the daughter of Amanda Cartwright, a struggling actress who's only claim to fame is from the 80s slasher flick Camp Bloodbath. After another audition rejection, Amanda and Max are driving home when tragedy strikes and they get in a deadly car crash.

Three years later, Max is still fiercely grieving from the loss of her mother. While trying to cope with her emotions, she is asked by her friend Duncan to come and be a celebrity presence at the double feature showing of Camp Bloodbath. Initially Max refuses, but after an offer she can't refuse, she decides to attend. During the showing, an unexpected fire breaks out, and in an attempt to escape, Max and four of her friends go cut through the movie screen, and find themselves trapped inside Camp Bloodbath.

The Final Girls is very similar to movies like Cabin in the Woods and Scream because the main idea of the plot is to poke fun at the many cliches that horror movies tend to fall into. However, what makes the Final Girls stand out is how it recreates the typical 80s slasher flick. Of course the fake movie Camp Bloodbath is an over the top tribute to movies such as Friday the 13th and Sleepaway Camp. However it does a great job at pinpointing the many character, plot, and dialogue flaws that those 80s slashers fell victim to. Most notably being Adam Devine's portrayal of the typical camp counselor horn-dog. It is also incredibly fun to watch Max and her other millennial friends trying to figure out how to navigate their way out of the movie, when titles, run time, and pre-written scenarios are all getting in their way.

As I was watching this movie I found myself laughing from beginning to end, but as I was watching I thought to myself, what is that other emotion I'm experiencing? Sadness? Compassion? Yes, this movie has it all. Not only does it live up to the comedy-horror genre description, it also makes you rethink the way you look at those body count movies. It humanizes the characters and makes the movie all the more compelling.

The Final Girls is a creative blast, and the actors do a great job at sticking to their movie stereotypes. There were a few times where I found the sentiment to feel a little forced, but overall I absolutely loved it. Seriously, if you are a fan of campy horror movies, you need to check it out, it's worth it for the nostalgia factor alone.