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Sleepaway Camp Review

By Bryce Hanson on January 16, 2019 6

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This episode we review the cult classic Sleepaway Camp. This campy slasher combines the most horrifying elements of the eighties: over-the-top teen bullies, and casual pedophilia. Listen to Horror Movie Talk’s take on this fun thriller.

Poster for Sleepaway Camp, a horror movie being reviewed on Horror Movie Talk podcast

Sleepaway Camp is a 1983 teenage slasher that has become a bit of a cult classic. The film follows Angela Baker (played by Felissa Rose), a painfully shy girl recovering from the psychological trauma of a tragic boating accident as she attends a Summer Camp filled with 80’s teen movie villains. She is accompanied to camp with her cousin Ricky (played by Jonathan Tiersten) who at times is very protective towards her.

Pretty soon after camp starts, there are a series of murders. The camp owner Mel (played by Mike Kellin) does his best to keep the murders under wraps and becomes increasingly suspicious of Ricky as the victims seem to be people that have bullied Angela.

Sleepaway Camp Trailer

This movie is a lot of fun and maintains a great balance of passable quality, campiness, and tastelessness that is essential for being granted cult status. The film gets most of its cred from its surprising conclusion, but it isn’t defined by it. This is a great time capsule of eighties teen movies that have that “Should I be watching this” vibe. Too mature for young viewers, and too much teenage sexuality for adults to feel comfortable watching. It’s that elusive 80’s vibe that Stranger Things, IT, and other shows that attempt to exploit.

Check Out Our Review of Child’s Play (1988)

Child’s Play (1988) Review

The special effects sequences range from 50’s workplace safety videos to straight up graphic, gooey 80’s horror. The real charm of the movie comes from it’s non sequitur writing and acting. I found myself saying “What?!” or laughing out loud at unintentionally ridiculous moments.

My Rating

7/10

Sleepaway Camp

Watch it now or add it to your collection.

Rent/Buy on Amazon

What works well about this movie

This is a very campy movie, and as such, is tonally all over the place in a good way. Angela’s mother seems picked straight out of a 1930’s talkie. The teen villains are the kind only found in 80’s teen movies. Finally, Artie, the openly casual pedophile could only exist on film in the 80’s.

I particularly enjoyed the score of the film. It was repetative, but featured a full orchestral sound, with real orchestra stings to emphasize the horror. I wish more modern horror movies wouldn’t rely so much on ambient spooky soundscapes, and go back to full orchestras.

Check Out Our Review of The Dead Don’t Die

The Dead Don’t Die Review

What really steals the show is the abundance of cock outlines. If you can remember that one scene in Juno where she is ogling the cross country team in their runner shorts, imagine that stretching for about 80 minutes. It’s distracting, and dare I say… Immodest.

Who wears short shorts? Sleepaway Camp wears short shorts.
Sleepaway Camp features dick outlines pretty heavily.

Most of all, what makes this movie great is it’s charm.

What doesn’t work

This mustache:

Fakest Mustache in horror
Fakest mustache in horror

Spoilers for Sleepaway Camp

Angela from Sleepaway Camp

This is the rare occurrence where naming the killer is the least relevant spoiler in the movie. If you don’t know the “twist” at the end, I won’t spoil it here. But just look at Angela’s face. You know she’s hiding something.

That being said, Angela was definitely the killer even though they heavily alluded to her brother being guilty. The filmmakers went as far as to have the actor playing her brother appear as a silhouette wearing a wig during one killing.

Final Recommendation

I highly recommend Sleepaway Camp. It proves that in many very important ways, you can’t recreate 80’s horror. This movie might not be for everyone, but if you are a fan of campy horror, or even just cult classics in general, you should enjoy this one as much as I did.

Sleepaway Camp as of the publish date of this episode is available on Shudder. Use “HMT” at checkout to get a 30 day free trial.

About Bryce Hanson

I'm a big fan of horror movies because it's rare that they aren't interesting. Whether it is a straight to VOD or the latest theatrical release, there is always something to talk about. I also like to sing, wax philosophical about mythology and religion, contemplate the void, and spend time with my family. I am usually up in my head about something, so apologies if I'm looking off into the middle distance. Along with David, I am a co-founder of Horror Movie Talk.

If you want to know more about my taste in horror films, checkout my about page or listen to episode 14: "The Horrific Beginnings of Horror Movie Talk"

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Michelle says

    October 28, 2020 at 12:53 pm

    Not sure if you recognize the laugh but the cook who replaces the pedophile is James Earl Jones father… Robert Earl Jones. Nugget of wisdom!

    Reply
    • David Day says

      October 28, 2020 at 1:54 pm

      HOLY SHMOLY!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. How Slashers Killed Good Horror Movies | Horror Movie Talk says:
    April 8, 2019 at 7:59 am

    […] Sleepaway Camp Review […]

    Reply
  2. Child's Play (1988) Review | Horror Movie Talk says:
    June 27, 2019 at 10:06 am

    […] Sleepaway Camp Review […]

    Reply
  3. Wrong Turn (2003) Review | Horror Movie Talk | Episode 89 says:
    March 18, 2020 at 12:01 am

    […] If you are in the mood for another slasher, you can’t do better than Sleepaway Camp. […]

    Reply
  4. My Bloody Valentine (1981) Review | Horror Movie Talk says:
    April 22, 2021 at 4:02 pm

    […] today My Bloody Valentine just doesn’t have any memorable moments that make it undeniable. Sleepaway Camp is so over the top and crazy with the pedophiles, and shocking conclusion that it stakes out a spot […]

    Reply

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