26th Feb2024

‘Camp Pleasant Lake’ Review

by James Rodrigues

Stars: Jonathan Lipnicki, Bonnie Aarons, Andrew Divoff, Michael Paré, Kelly Lynn Reiter, Robert LaSardo, Maritza Brikisak, Greg Tally | Written and Directed by Thomas Walton

“They say you cross paths with at least 20 killers in your lifetime and don’t even know it…” This line of text opens the latest feature from writer/director Thomas Walton, intending to deliver a sense of foreboding regarding what is to come. Camp Pleasant Lake unfolds on the grounds of a revitalized campsite that a couple have transformed into an interactive horror experience.

The camp was previously the location of a young girl’s disappearance, which occurred at a similar time to her parent’s murders. This unfortunate event is a selling point for the horror camp, as its opening coincides with the twentieth anniversary of the mentioned tragedy. As a killer stalks the campgrounds to decimate all in their path, everyone at the camp believes the killings are part of the interactive experience promised as part of their stay.

An interesting idea is formed around that simple joke, leaving the potential victims excited to see what will happen next while unaware of the danger they are in. It is a shame such an initially curious idea is driven into the ground, as the dim-witted campers not realising the true horrors is repeated to tiring effect.

Clashing with this comedic potential is a more serious idea of a slasher where the murderous figure grapples with a traumatic past. Neither of the tonally opposing elements feel fully developed, instead united to reach a feature-length runtime while allowing these different ideas to battle for dominance. It does not help how unengaging the characters feel, with the limp writing and the questionable performances taking one out of the story. This is particularly noticeable during a scene where camp counsellors discuss their past, in a moment where it is uncertain if the characters are putting on a show as part of the camp experience, or if it is just bad line readings.

While the flashbacks inform the personal nature of the killing spree, with many of the intended victims contributing to a stolen childhood, it raises questions as the body count exceeds the personal quest to include a lot of collateral damage. It feels like another question that is glossed over, such as how many faces from the past end up at this same location, or how the killer’s identity raises logistical questions regarding a public murder. While the gore effects are well done, that praise is an uphill battle for this feature-length way of dragging out a single joke and an obvious identity reveal.

* 1/5

DeskPop Entertainment will release Camp Pleasant Lake in select US cinemas and on VOD February 27th

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