A murderer enters a theater for a showing on a rainy day
and starts to dispatch the attendees in gruesome fashion. HORROR
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The Last Matinee (2020)Directed by Maximiliano Contenti
Written by Manuel Facal Starring Ricardo Islas, Luciana Grasso, Franco Duran, Julieta Spinelli, Bruno Salvatti, Vladimir Knazevs, Pedro Duarte |
Not too long ago, popular horror website, Bloody Disgusting, decided to team up with Dark Star Pictures to release various low budget horror films. While I initially missed their first two releases together, I made sure to catch this one. My interest started with the catch this would take place in a movie theater and be a fusion of two of horror’s most popular subgenres, American slasher and giallo. Just that alone sold me on the idea of a super fun and gory film which would proudly wear its influences on its sleeves. And I wasn’t completely wrong. I got mostly what I asked for with just a bit of wanting once the credits rolled. A film which serves as a perfect rental but not something I’m rushing to add to the personal collection anytime soon.
Where The Last Matinee truly excels in in three categories: its setting, gore, and villain. The use of a movie theater as the location is always something I’m a sucker for and enjoy seeing in a horror film. In this case, they use it to their advantage with the staging of several kills and the sly commentary as the film being played is an American slasher. Which brings me to the next thing, the gore. Again, not hiding their influences, this is one gruesome, bloody good time with some twisted practical effects. The gorehounds won’t be disappointed. Finally, the villain, While initially serving well in the mold of classic giallos, once the mask comes off at the end, the killer quickly becomes one of the more sick and twisted characters to grace the screen. Where the film falls a bit is its lack of interesting characters to care for and odd editing moments where it jumps to a new scene rather quickly. The latter doesn’t happen often but it’s noticeable when it does. If you’re looking for something quick and easy to watch on a snowy or rainy day, you can’t go too wrong with this one. Featuring a cool setting, deliciously bloody kills and practical effects, and a genuinely creepy villain; it makes for a decently fun time. |