Slaxx (2020) Movie Drinking Game
Take a Drink: “Make a better tomorrow today.”
Take a Drink: for every corporate buzzword (“GMO-free,” “organic,” “ethically-sourced”)
Take a Drink: whenever a part of the logo (also, take a good look at that logo!) changes to red
Take a Drink: for every Peyton Jewels broadcast
Take a Drink: every time someone says “Super Shaper”
Take a Drink: whenever Craig says “What’s your twenty?”
Take a Drink: every time the song “Hamara India” plays or is sung
Do a Shot: for every kill
By: BabyRuth (Two Beers) –
I don’t know about you, but after five months of sweats and athleisure, the mere thought of pulling on and zipping up a pair of skinny jeans is horrifying on its own. But imagine if those jeans were killer jeans? Not “killer” in the way that they perfectly lift and slim, but in the way that they literally kill you?
Slaxx, directed by Elza Kephart, premiering at this year’s (virtual) Fantasia Film Festival, and soon to be seen on Shudder, presents this scenario.
The hottest clothing store is Canadian Cotton Clothiers, CCC for short, a business that prides itself on its ethically sourced, fair-trade, organic, and GMO-free materials. Their motto is “Make a better tomorrow today.” CCC doesn’t have departments, it has monochromatic “eco-systems.” The staff are not so much retail workers, but indoctrinated cult members, always ready to repeat the store’s mantras.
CCC’s flagship store’s employees are preparing for the reveal of the brand-new product: Super Shapers, the first gender-neutral jeans that automatically adapt to the wearer’s body (you know, like if Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants was a real thing!). Set to be released at the big “Monday Madness” sale, the store requires all hands on deck for the overnight turnaround. They’re so serious, the store is put on lockdown – no one gets in or out and any outside reception is disabled until Monday at 8 a.m., solving that pesky problem of anyone leaking any secret sneak-peeks at the new collection (and also the dilemma every horror film has faced since the invention of the internet and cellphones). They even got YouTube sensation Peyton Jules (Erica Anderson) to cover the unveiling!
It’s new hire Libby’s (Romane Denis) first day and she couldn’t be more enthusiastic about finally landing the job she’s dreamed about for years. She truly believes CCC is making a difference in the world and is thrilled to be a part of it.
Likewise, store manager Craig (Brett Donahue) is hoping the launch’s success will lead to his promotion to Regional Manager, a position he would do anything for, but his arch-rival Barb (Tianni Nori) has other plans. Star employees Hunter (Jessica B. Hill), Lord (Kenny Wong), and Jemma (Hanneke Talbot) can’t resist getting a first glimpse – or fit – of the Super Shapers, while Shruti (Sehar Bhojani) just wants to listen to her music and get through her shift unbothered.
But shortly after the lockdown starts, people begin to go missing…
A Toast
Independent, low-budget horror is sure having a moment in 2020. Films like Relic, The Beach House, Uncle Peckerhead, and of course, Host, are proving that an original concept, talent, and creativity go a long way. And Slaxx is a surprising addition to that ever-growing list.
I admit I was shocked at how much I enjoyed this movie. Kephart and crew have taken what appears on the surface to be a one-note gag and created an entertaining and imaginative treat with plenty of substance.
Slaxx poses the question: Just how many ways can a pair of jeans murder a person? Well, you’ll have to watch to find out the gruesome answer to that question (it’s more than you’d think!), and the kills are inventive, hilarious, and well-crafted. The visual effects team deserve a toast of their own for cleverly bringing the jeans to life. (Wait until you see them dance!)
There are some smart bits of comedy that effectively satirize fast fashion, influencer culture, and mass consumerism. The on-the-nose design of the store is a joke in itself (it brings to mind a similarly initialed store that actually has a collection called “Conscious”). My favorite bit is a sight gag involving two people communicating via headsets. It’s great.
The cast are all game and perfectly fit into the heightened, absurd world of the film. Roman Denis is easy to root for (at times she reminded me of Anna Faris’ Cindy in the Scary Movie franchise), and her character’s transition from a wide-eyed, naive newcomer to final girl is believable. Seher Bhojani is great as the jaded and sarcastic Shruti. Brett Donahue’s Craig is the perfect phony and conniving opportunist, while Erica Anderson nails the grating quirks of pretty much every self-important, but talentless social media influencer.
Something I’ve been noticing with the recent round of indie-films is the very welcome return of the 90 minute or less run-time. Slaxx clocks in at a short and sweet 77 minutes, long enough to accomplish everything it sets out to without overstaying its welcome.
The film takes on a darker tone once the killer jeans’ backstory (you read that correctly) and true motive is revealed and it is here where Slaxx pulls off an unexpected trick, transforming into something deeper. The reveal is well-done as the feel switches from campy horror-comedy to full-on horror with a message.
Beer Two
In hindsight, that message gets a little muddled. The victims are annoying and vapid, and sure, it’s a whole lot of fun to watch them meet their ends by denim, but aside from one who definitely deserved what they got, they were merely brainwashed cogs in a machine. If this were a straight-on slasher with a no-rhyme or reason killer, it wouldn’t be an issue, but the film asks the audience to sympathize with the killer to an extent and that makes it a little difficult (though this point is called out by Libby, which was appreciated).
The one person, introduced early in the film, who probably is the most deserving and evil of all, never gets their due, which I suppose is sadly realistic as the corrupt at the top never seem to be the ones that are held accountable, always letting others take the fall. Still, it would have been satisfying to see that person get mangled by cotton-spandex blend. (Maybe, hopefully, a sequel?)
Verdict
Slaxx quickly earns its spot among inanimate killer classics like Maximum Overdrive, The Refrigerator, and Death Bed…The Bed That Eats!, bringing the bloodshed and laughs, while mixing in a bit of social commentary. It also might just make you think twice about your next (masked) trip to the mall, for more than one reason.
Last Call: stick around for some fun clips during the credits that reveal how some of the effects were pulled off
