Connect with us

News

TRAGEDY GIRLS Perfectly Combines Gore, Horror and Good Times

Published

on

Tragedy

There has been a recent new wave of what I like to call “millennial-sploitation” films as of late. Its hard to tell if these films are being helmed by a card carrying, H&M clad, actual millennial or if they are being directed by an archaic hand who is trying to simultaneously understand and preach about a generation they don’t understand. I go into those films with the bar set low. The heavy handed-exploitative nature can be abrasive. Lucky for us, while Tragedy Girls does fit into the above mentioned sub-genre it manages to do everything spot on and refreshing in its approach.

Tragedy Girls follows Sadie Cunningham (Brianna Hildebrand) and McKayla Hooper (Alexandra Shipp), two social media obsessed high school students, who have some super macabre extra curriculars. See, they spend their time playing a dangerous game that toys with serial killers, incorporates murder and the inevitable posting of true-crimish manipulative material to social network channels. Like other students, they have goals, only difference is theirs seem to be more on the blood soaked side of the spectrum.

Almost anything said about this film can spoil it. I have to treat this synopsis with kid-gloves. So, I don’t want to say too much more about the plot. All I can say is that if you can skip the trailer and just go in blind to the experience, I definitely recommend it.

The film is gleefully, gory, stylish and self aware. But never gets heavy on the whole social commentary of, say, the dangers of social media usage. It isn’t a PSA, even though it could have quickly become that. It is refreshing to see a film that knows it is allowed to be fun and light – and Tragedy Girls absolutely revels in the fun and the gore.

Director, Tyler MacIntyre makes interesting choices in terms of the look and feel of the film itself. He chooses to use an overly-neat, crisp digital polish that is easily comparable to a Lifetime movie. I found it distracting at times but there there is reward to this method of madness. Once realized, it makes that aesthetic choice part of the experience in a smart subtle wink that doesn’t reveal itself until late in the movie.

Both Hildebrand and Shipp are great. They balance the right amounts of playfulness and sociopathic tendencies to make them a great new addition to the horror genre. Watching these two, its hard to not be silently praying that Tragedy Girls becomes a franchise. Cause dammit, these two could easily carry one.

I also, gotta give a shout out to actor Timothy V. Murphy who plays Sheriff Blane Welch. It took me a while to recognize him with the moustache and accent, but this is the dude from those adorable DirecTV ads, that featured an overly wealthy Russian guy kissing a tiny giraffe. I was a sucker for those ads and it made me happy to see him pop-up in this. Dude does great work and I hope to see him in a lot more stuff.

Also, keep your eye out for tons of small winks and easter eggs that will appeal to genre fans. From the two lead characters last names, to some of the kills in the film. This is ultimately a love letter to the things, people and places in horror that all us fanatics hold dear.

Tragedy Girls is smart about its nature. It takes the best of Heathers and Scream, mixes in social media obsession and works up some horror alchemy that reaches exciting heights. It is unrelenting in its ideals and semi-sociopathic in some of its choices, but choosing those paths helps to subvert tropes and keep you engaged and surprised from start to finish.

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

News

A24 Creating New Action Thriller “Onslaught” From ‘The Guest’ & ‘You’re Next’ Duo

Published

on

It’s always nice to see a reunion in the world of horror. Following a competitive bidding war, A24 has secured the rights to the new action thriller film Onslaught. Adam Wingard (Godzilla vs. Kong) will be directing the film. He will be joined by his longtime creative partner Simon Barret (You’re Next) as the scriptwriter.

For those unaware, Wingard and Barret made a name for themselves while working together on films such as You’re Next and The Guest. The two creatives are card carrying horror royalty. The pair have worked on films such as V/H/S, Blair Witch, The ABC’s of Death, and A Horrible Way to Die.

An exclusive article of out Deadline gives us the limited information we have on the topic. Although we don’t have much to go on, Deadline does offer the following information.

A24

“Plot details are being kept under wraps but the film is in the vein of Wingard and Barrett’s cult classics like The Guest and You’re Next. Lyrical Media and A24 will co-finance. A24 will handle worldwide releasing. Principal photography will begin in Fall 2024.”

A24 will be producing the film alongside Aaron Ryder and Andrew Swett for Ryder Picture Company, Alexander Black for Lyrical Media, Wingard and Jeremy Platt for Breakaway Civilization, and Simon Barret.

That’s all the information we have at this time. Make sure to check back here for more news and updates.

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Continue Reading

News

Director Louis Leterrier Creating New Sci-Fi Horror Film “11817”

Published

on

Louis Leterrier

According to an article from Deadline, Louis Leterrier (The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance) is about to shake things up with his new Sci-Fi horror film 11817. Leterrier is set to produce and direct the new Movie. 11817 is penned by the glorious Mathew Robinson (The Invention of Lying).

Rocket Science will be taking the film to Cannes in search of a buyer. While we don’t know much about what the film looks like, Deadline offers the following plot synopsis.

“The film watches as inexplicable forces trap a family of four inside their house indefinitely. As both modern luxuries and life or death essentials begin to run out, the family must learn how to be resourceful to survive and outsmart who — or what — is keeping them trapped…”

“Directing projects where the audience gets behind the characters has always been my focus. However complex, flawed, heroic, we identify with them as we live through their journey,” said Leterrier. “It’s what excites me about 11817‘s wholly original concept and the family at the heart of our story. This is an experience that movie audiences won’t forget.”

Leterrier has made a name for himself in the past for working on beloved franchises. His portfolio includes gems such as Now You See Me, The Incredible Hulk, Clash of The Titans, and The Transporter. He is currently attached to create the final Fast and the Furious film. However, it will be interesting to see what Leterrier can do working with some darker subject material.

That’s all the information we have for you at this time. As always, make sure to check back here for more news and updates.

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Continue Reading

Lists

New to Netflix (U.S.) This Month [May 2024]

Published

on

atlas movie Netflix starring Jennifer Lopez

Another month means fresh additions to Netflix. Although there aren’t many new horror titles this month, there are still some notable movies well worth your time. For instance, you can watch Karen Black try to land a 747 jet in Airport 1979, or Casper Van Dien kill giant insects in Paul Verhoeven’s bloody sci-fi opus Starship Troopers.

We are looking forward to the Jennifer Lopez sci-fi action movie Atlas. But let us know what you are going to watch. And if we have missed something, put it in the comments.

May 1:

Airport

A blizzard, a bomb, and a stowaway help create the perfect storm for the manager of a Midwestern airport and a pilot with a messy personal life.

Airport ’75

Airport ’75

When a Boeing 747 loses its pilots in a midair collision, a member of the cabin crew must take control with radio help from a flight instructor.

Airport ’77

A luxury 747 packed with VIPs and priceless art goes down in the Bermuda Triangle after being hijacked by thieves — and time for a rescue is running out.

Jumanji

Two siblings discover an enchanted board game that opens a door to a magical world — and unwittingly release a man who’s been trapped inside for years.

Hellboy

Hellboy

A half-demon paranormal investigator questions his defense of humans when a dismembered sorceress rejoins the living to wreak brutal vengeance.

Starship Troopers

When fire-spitting, brain-sucking bugs attack Earth and obliterate Buenos Aires, an infantry unit heads to the aliens’ planet for a showdown.

May 9

Bodkin

Bodkin

A ragtag crew of podcasters sets out to investigate mysterious disappearances from decades earlier in a charming Irish town with dark, dreadful secrets.

May 15

The Clovehitch Killer

The Clovehitch Killer

A teenager’s picture-perfect family is torn apart when he uncovers unnerving evidence of a serial killer close to home.

May 16

Upgrade

After a violent mugging leaves him paralyzed, a man receives a computer chip implant that allows him to control his body — and get his revenge.

Monster

Monster

After being abducted and taken to a desolate house, a girl sets out to rescue her friend and escape from their malicious kidnapper.

May 24

Atlas

Atlas

A brilliant counterterrorism analyst with a deep distrust of AI discovers it might be her only hope when a mission to capture a renegade robot goes awry.

Jurassic World: Chaos Theory

The Camp Cretaceous gang come together to unravel a mystery when they discover a global conspiracy that brings danger to dinosaurs — and to themselves.

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Continue Reading