"Pillow Party Massacre" (2023)

by Mike Imboden

Normally here at “The Good, the Bad, and the Verdict'', both Joseph and Mike give their thoughts on a slice of cinema. However, here and there they will be taking the reins in a solo outing. For this installment, it’s Mike with a solo review of Pillow Party Massacre, a "devilishly wicked throwback to classic '80s slasher films" by Calvin McCarthy and Breaking Glass Pictures.

Synopsis

Two years after a tragic April Fools prank, a group of friends return to their childhood vacation home to reconnect and heal old wounds. As strange things begin to happen, and girls turn up missing, it's clear that someone or something is out for revenge.

The Good

Right out of the gate let me say that the name - Pillow Party Massacre - is not what this movie should be judged by. With the plethora of “...Massacre” horror movies it’s easier to mistake one for another than it is to fall out of a canoe while trying to do cartwheels. Rather than make that mistake here, look at it as a sign that what you’re getting here is a nice throwback to old-school slasher flicks, complete with a “whodunnit” plot and a killer whose breathing doesn’t let you forget that they’re wearing a mask.

The acting by Laura Welsh, Jax Kellington, Chyna Rae Shurts, Allegra Sweeney and Nicolette Pullen as Sam, Alana, Barbra, Miles, and Mikki is adequate and each brings enough to their character that they all seem like realistic individuals who you hope have what it takes to make it through the night. It’s also nice to see women who have realistic body types and that look the age they are portraying - or maybe I’m just so old that anyone under the age of thirty looks like a second year college kid.

Also, while there is some CGI, there’s plenty of practical effects which are always nice to see, especially when there are some pretty grisly kills to showcase them with.

The Bad

Like the coin that Harvey Dent flips to make decisions, Pillow Party Massacre has its flawed side. While the plot may be steeped in old-school vibes, the identity of the killer was far too easy to correctly guess which - upon reveal - makes some of the killer’s actions and abilities a bit hard to accept without a massive suspension of disbelief. Despite the use of ample practical effects that are, sadly, a mixed bag of hits and glaring misses, the CGI that is employed is, honestly, fairly horrendous - most glaring in that blood spray should follow the laws of physics and not be bound to where the edges of the screen are.

One of the biggest “bad” aspects of the film is its laborious second act. Too much time is spent on elements that are inconsequential to the overall story - time that would have been more efficiently spent in the opening act to better set up the April Fool’s prank that sets everything in motion.

The Verdict

I’ve gotta say, I’m on the fence with this. Part of me appreciates the old-school style plot and the whodunnit element of the killer, but I’m also a bit disappointed that the decision to use a lot of practical effects didn’t pay off because they were just done rather poorly which only made the bad CGI look even worse.

If you’re a diehard fan of slasher movies like me you’ll probably walk away from Pillow Party Massacre with an overall positive experience, despite some of the flaws being in the areas that matter most in the subgenre.

Pillow Party Massacre, from Breaking Glass Pictures, is in theaters now.

Pillow Party Massacre