Vicious Fun (2021)

Streaming Services: Shudder
Movie Name/Year: Vicious Fun (2021)
Genre: Comedy, Horror
Length: 96 minutes
Rating: Unrated
Production/Distribution: Particular Crowd, Black Fawn Films, Breakthrough Entertainment, Citizen Skull Productions, Radioactive Pictures, Shudder
Director: Cody Calahan
Writer:  Cody Calahan, James Villeneuve
Actors: Evan Marsh, Amber Goldfarb, Ari Millen, Julian Richings, Robert Maillet, Sean Baek, David Koechner, Alexa Rose Steele, Joe Bostick, Gord Rand
 
Blurb from IMDb: Joel, a caustic 1980s film critic for a national horror magazine, finds himself unwittingly trapped in a self-help group for serial killers. With no other choice, Joel attempts to blend in or risk becoming the next victim.
 

Selina’s Point of View:
Horror-comedy is my all-time favorite sub-genre. Don’t get me wrong, I can enjoy a hardcore – no safe moment – horror. Adding a little comedy, though, really takes it to the next level for me. There’s a kind of morbid fascination and discomfort involved in finding yourself laughing at a horror film. It almost makes the story feel interactive to me.
 
It’s just easier to relate to the protagonists when you’re actively feeling their situation.
 
Naturally, Vicious Fun spoke to me just based on genre. The description turned out to be a big draw, as well. It seemed like a very creative idea.
 
The film didn’t quite go the way I thought it would, but that’s not a bad thing. If it had gone the way I pictured, it would have been dreadfully slow. In reality, just about every moment was fast-paced, campy, perfection.
 
It felt like both a union of, and love letter to, the slasher flicks of the 80s. Being an 80s baby myself, it almost gave off an aura of nostalgia, while still feeling completely new.
 

There were tropes, sure, but it felt like the writers were well aware of them and poking fun.
 
After the last movie I saw, this was such a cinematic relief. I went from having some serious negative emotions toward film, to renewing my interest. What False Positive took away, Vicious Fun gave back. It was the best film we could have had scheduled for today.
 
Definitely one of the best horror-comedies of the year.
 
If you like campy, funny, gory horror; then you absolutely cannot miss Vicious Fun. It debuts on Shudder June 29.
 
If you don’t have access to Shudder, now’s the time to consider a subscription. Even if it’s just for one month.
 

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 91%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – None
Metascore – None
Metacritic User Score – None
IMDB Score – 6.6/10
 
Trust the Dice: Selina’s Rating – 5/5
 
Trust-the-Dice’s Parental Advisory Rating: R
 
P.S. Mid-credits scene
 
Movie Trailer: