A Love Letter to Cinemas That Loses Its Focus

Read Time:4 Minute, 16 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Movie Theater Massacre
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Genre: Comedy, Horror
Year Released: 2023, 2025
Runtime: 1h 12m
Director(s): Ian Courtney
Writer(s): Ian Courtney
Cast: Jalen Wilson-Nelem, Adam DeFilippi, Caitlin Cavannaugh, LeJon Woods, Linnea Quigley
Where To Watch: on demand February 4, 2025

RAVING REVIEW: Some films burst onto the screen, while others reach their destination with ambition outweighing execution. MOVIE THEATER MASSACRE aims for the latter, packing plenty of passion into its independent horror-comedy framework but struggling to smooth its rough edges. The premise—a group of employees closing out their final week at a failing cinema before things take a murderous turn—has the potential to be both a sharp meta-commentary and a blood-soaked thrill ride. However, while the film brims with reverence for the movie-going experience, its technical flaws prevent it from fully delivering on that promise.

Shot entirely on an iPhone 12 Pro, the film leans into its lo-fi aesthetic, which can be a strength in the right hands. At times, the choice creates a raw, intimate horror experience, pulling viewers into the claustrophobic setting of the theater. Other times, however, it highlights the film’s limitations, with moments that feel less like an intentional creative decision and more like the result of budget constraints. This technique requires an impeccable understanding of framing, lighting, and movement to keep it from feeling amateurish. While some scenes capture that energy, others expose the difficulties of working within such restrictive parameters.

One of the film’s biggest hurdles is its pacing. There’s a fine line between building suspense and simply dragging things out, and this production leans too often toward the latter. Dialogue presents another challenge. While the screenplay wants to honor film history, its execution sometimes feels more like an info dump than an organic part of the characters’ conversations. Rather than weaving references naturally into the story, the film frequently pauses for self-conscious nods to movie trivia, making the exchanges feel forced rather than engaging.

The slasher element, which should be the driving force of the horror, is surprisingly underwhelming. A masked killer stalking the empty halls of a soon-to-close theater should provide ample opportunities for inventive, visually striking kills. Yet, the film never fully capitalizes on its setting. The antagonist lacks a clear motivation, and their methods feel arbitrary, making the few kills feel oddly generic despite the premise.

Despite its flaws, the film does have a core idea that resonates—a heartfelt appreciation for the magic of cinema, both as a communal experience and as an art form. The commentary on the decline of physical media and the shuttering of beloved theaters is one of the film’s stronger aspects, tapping into real anxiety among movie lovers. This theme lingers in the background, sometimes shining through, other times getting lost amid the more uneven elements of the production.

That said, there’s no denying the effort and dedication poured into making this project happen. Indie horror is a tough genre to break into, and MOVIE THEATER MASSACRE is a labor of love from a team eager to leave its mark. The passion is there, even if the execution isn’t always on point. With lessons learned from this outing, the filmmaker has the potential to refine their approach, focusing on tightening scripts, balancing tones, and making the most of their resources.

It’s always frustrating when a film has the right ingredients but doesn’t quite mix them together in the right order. A version of this movie could have been a clever, fast-paced, and self-aware entry into the horror-comedy space, but instead, it struggles under the weight of its ideas. It’s the kind of film that some audiences might appreciate for its scrappy, DIY energy, but for those looking for a polished, engaging slasher with a strong identity, it doesn’t quite hit the mark.

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[photo courtesy of CRANKED UP FILMS]

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