“That’s a Wrap” (2023) [Popcorn Frights]

by Joseph Perry and Mike Imboden

In our “The Good, the Bad, and the Verdict” film reviews, Joseph and Mike give their thoughts on a slice of cinema. For this installment, it’s the giallo-flavored slasher, That’s a Wrap by Marcel Walz and Neon Noir.

Synopsis

In this giallo thriller, the cast of a film arrives at a wrap party, but someone has dressed up as the slasher in the movie and begins to stage their own kill scenes. One by one, the cast disappears until the true nature of the evening is revealed.

The Good

Joseph: That’s a Wrap looks terrific, with its giallo color palette and 1980s and 1990s B-movie aesthetics wonderfully realized by director Marcel Walz and cinematographer Marcus Friedlander. The performances range from great to scenery chewing, with Monique Parent and Sarah French leading the way with their charismatic performances.

Mike: There’s quite a lot to appreciate here. Creative kills, some wonderful lighting, a bit of humor, some decent acting, a little full frontal nudity, and an interesting looking killer for which, unlike a couple of recent films that we’ve done, there’s actually a rational reason why someone is dressed up in a creepy mask and outfit. A few of the kills are pretty gnarly and well done, and as a love letter to the giallo genre, That’s a Wrap features some really good lighting in certain scenes which gives them a nice and ominous atmosphere. Lump in a decent number of shout-outs to classic slashers and giallo flicks (honestly too many to count) with some decent performances, and we’ve got a rather fun whodunnit.

The Bad

Joseph: In my opinion, deliberate camp is rarely successful, and That’s a Wrap has a good share of it on hand. The film also wavers between camp moments like one of the least realistic oral sex performances I have ever seen in a film, to attempting serious messages regarding the treatment of women in the film industry, to having an extended full body nude scene with one of the actresses that includes some self-pleasuring in the shower. That’s a Wrap sends mixed messages and can’t seem to decide on a tone.

Mike: When I last saw Marcel Walz it was with his underwhelming Sarah French-starring Pretty Boy. The good news is that Walz is much better here, but the bad is that it’s still a bit of a mixed bag. Straight up horror jockeys for attention with campy scenes, clever tips of the cap, all juxtaposed with moments that lean towards parody instead of satire (the latter of which I feel is what he was going for). Some of the performances were a bit over the top which worked in some areas but felt out of place in some of the more serious scenes.

The Verdict

Joseph: Walz had a vision in mind and completely went for it with That’s a Wrap. The result is a colorful romp that doesn’t skimp on the red stuff, that embraces its cheese factor with glee, and that could provide a perfect dictionary example of the word lurid. Fans of whodunit slashers should find the film quite entertaining.

Mike: Without being told that That’s a Wrap is a homage to giallo films it would still be pretty easy to see that is what this is shooting for - however, just throwing some red lights and garish colors on some scenes isn’t enough. Some sketchy performances and see-sawing tones ding the overall quality a bit, but some great atmosphere, creative kills, a suitable creepy looking killer, and some meta-humor that works pretty well more than make up for the shortcomings. If the old school slashers with a mystery killer that is unmasked at the end are your jam, this will be worth a look. Bonus points for a cameo from legendary Tom Savini.

That’s a Wrap, from Neon Noir, is playing as part of the 2023 Popcorn Frights Film Festival, which runs August 10–20, 2023 with both in-person screenings and a virtual lineup available to viewers in the United States. For more information, visit https://popcornfrights.eventive.org/welcome.

Quiver Distribution presents That’s a Wrap on VOD platforms including Amazon, iTunes, and Vudu from October 25, 2023.

That’s a Wrap