‘Gothic Slayers’ VOD Review
Stars: Ben Getz, Dylan Eshbaugh, Sully Brown, Jayson Bernard, Piper Verbrick, Fiona Domenica, Samantha Rothermel, Jamie Day, Tom Moynahan, Annie Gill | Written by Dylan Eshbaugh, Ben Getz | Directed by Caleb Harris
Ben Duff (Ben Getz; Uncaged, Fuckboy Mountain) and Dylan Mulligan (Dylan Eshbaugh; Echo Beach the Movie, Trouble on Hanzelsphere-7!) are best friends and co-workers at a mini-golf course. They’re also the last two people anyone would ever expect to be heroes.
But when their mutual friend Dougie (Sully Brown; The Girl at the Motor, Hotel Love in the Time of Zombies) is kidnapped by a demonic cult led by the sinister Eugene (Jayson Bernard; Halloweed, The Blackwood Prophecies), they have no choice but to step up. What starts as an attempt to rescue their friend quickly turns into something much bigger, as they find themselves facing supernatural forces and a growing threat to their town. In the process, these two aimless slackers must embrace their inner warriors and become Gothic Slayers or at least, do their best impression of heroes as they fumble their way through a mission far beyond their pay grade.
While Gothic Slayers is billed as a horror-comedy, its approach to horror is closer to that of an episode of Scooby- – plenty of creepy aesthetics but no real sense of dread or tension. Instead, the film leans heavily into humour, ensuring that its horror elements are played strictly for laughs. That lighthearted tone makes it a tough sell to a specific audience. On the one hand, its goofy horror may appeal to younger viewers, but at the same time, many of its references, particularly those tied to video game culture, the film is actually named after the pair’s favourite game, are likely to go over their heads. The script also includes themes of unrequited love and the struggles of dating, which skew toward an older demographic. As a result, it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly who this film is meant for.
Those expecting something akin to Clerks meets The Satanic Rites will likely be disappointed. Instead of dark slacker humour or biting satire, director Caleb Harris (Loose Screw: The Clyde Butcher Story, Missouri Trippin’) keeps things extremely light. Even in scenes where characters witness human sacrifice or face off against supernatural creatures, there’s no real sense of danger. The result feels less like a horror-comedy and more like a live-action Saturday morning show from the ‘90s, complete with intentionally low-budget effects. In fact, rather than attempting practical or CGI-heavy horror visuals, the film embraces its retro aesthetic, often using video game-style graphics to depict action scenes such as a bizarre, pixelated altercation between the protagonists and a murder of crows.
That’s not to say the film is without its charms. Despite its uneven tone, Gothic Slayers does manage to deliver some genuinely funny moments, especially in its later half after Ben and Dylan infiltrate the cult’s headquarters. The humour shines when the duo leans into their natural chemistry, playing off each other with the ease of real-life best friends. Their banter is the film’s greatest strength, making the absurdity of their adventure feel at least somewhat grounded.
The performances across the board are surprisingly solid for a low-budget film with a largely unfamiliar cast. In addition to Getz and Eshbaugh’s enjoyable dynamic, Piper Verbrick (Fast Shark IV: Fastester Shark, Fatal Photo) stands out as Jenny, an ice cream store employee and one of the boys’ love interests. Fiona Domenica (High on the Hog, Gags the Clown) and Samantha Rothermel (Psychic School Wars, Can You Stay a Little While Longer????) bring campy menace as Eugene’s eerie “daughters,” Veronica and Chloe. There’s also Jamie Day (Murder Bitches Meet the New World Order and Murder It Then Have Sex at the End Probably, Talos: The Dark Lords of Xibalba) in a small but entertaining role as Orlando, a conspiracy theorist who has been studying the cult for years. Rounding out the cast are Tom Moynahan (He Sees You When You’re Sleeping, The Forest Hills) and Annie Gill (Facing Change: Ending Racism, Everyone’s Responsibility, Seeds) as Ben’s bewildered parents. It’s too bad they couldn’t have gotten a script that matched their talents, if they had this would be a much more positive review.
Ultimately, Gothic Slayers is a lightweight, silly film that won’t satisfy those looking for sharp, dark humour or genuinely spooky moments. If you’re after something with a little more bite, you’d be better off checking out Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls. However, if you’re looking for a harmless, occasionally amusing film that won’t make you cringe if your younger siblings, kids, or even parents walk in, this might fit the bill. Just keep your expectations in check.
**½ 2.5/5
Cranked Up Films released Gothic Slayers to VOD and digital platforms on March 4th.
______
