The sub-genre of dark horror comedies is small enough that
it gets little notice but when done right can yield some truly inventive
movies. EVIL DEAD and KRAMPUS are two movies that got it perfectly correct. Now
with MONSTER PARTY we have another movie that comes close.
Casper (Sam Strike), Iris (Virginia Gardner) and Dodge
(Brandon Michael Hall) are three friends who make a living pulling off small
breaking and entering gigs. With Casper the third wheel and Iris and Dodge the
couple, they live a carefree life for the most part. That changes when Casper’s
father, an addictive gambler, finds himself in deep debt to one of the nastiest
of loan sharks. He gives Casper until the next day to come up with the cash.
The three discuss how they can come up with the money when
Iris suggests that they accompany her to a party she’s working as a waitress.
Having worked the house before she knows there must be some heavy cash on hand.
They agree and off they go to work as help for the party with the intent of
finding a home safe to crack when time permits.
The party is hosted by Roxanne (Robin Tunney) and Patrick
(Julian McMahon) Dawson. Living in a gated mansion they meet the two new
helpers and set about preparing for the party. The guests begin arriving, each
in an expensive car and dressed well. The party goes along fine and it isn’t
long before we learn that the man in charge is Milo (Lance Reddick). The
gathering is a celebration and each member in the group is actually an addict.
Along with the couple there is their children Elliot and Alexis, two of Elliot’s
friends Cameron and Jeremy and Ollie.
It isn’t until later that we learn what their addiction is.
As Casper and Dodge attempt the break in Elliott finds Dodge in the wrong room.
Escorting him to the bathroom he claimed to be looking for he instead kills
Dodge with a cleaver. The addiction becomes evident and was dropped in the
trailer for the film. The gathering is for a group of serial killers who have
remained clean. With Elliot falling off the wagon the urge once more creeps
over the entire group. Will they satisfy their urge or will they find another
solution that allows Iris and Casper a chance to escape?
Most horror movies begin with a bit of gore tossed out for
the fans of that to be satisfied. While the beating of Casper’s father is
brutal it won’t be what satisfies that type of fan. But trust me when I say
that there is still plenty of gore infused humor that will keep them happy once
things begin moving along.
This is not to say that the film doesn’t have a story to it.
In fact it presents more story than most movies of this type. The entire
concept is actually a pretty good one with small time thieves caught up in a
bigger problem. While they technically are bad guys you still feel for them and
want the best for them. You have an emotional interest in them. And the bad
guys are so elite and smarmy that you want the worst to happen to them.
But the movie isn’t about class distinction or class
warfare. It’s about insane murderers and young people just trying to get way.
On that level it works very well. It takes a while to get rolling but that’s
okay because the set up gives those with no clue of what to come a chance to
soak in the characters. And the more you know them the more you love/hate them
depending on which side you’re rooting for.
Well made, well written with a tad few clichéd items
involved the movie still comes off as more original than most horror films made
these days. And the acting ranges from okay to well done. On the whole the
movie is fun for horror fans and for those who enjoy a bit of a thriller now
and then. It was nice to see Tunney acting again since she’s done very little
since the show THE MENTALIST was canceled. This one is worth a watch unless you’re
squeamish.
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