FrightFest 2026 Review: Bad Karaoke Sings Its Way Through a Bloody Splatter Comedy

Bad Karaoke turns an old karaoke machine into the centerpiece of a bloody, music-fueled night of supernatural chaos.

FrightFest 2026 Review Turns a Cursed Machine Into a Splatter Comedy

Bad Karaoke arrives at FrightFest 2026 with exactly the kind of premise that feels built for a late-night festival crowd.

Directed by Chris Lightbody and Robert J. Steinmiller Jr., the horror comedy takes something as harmless and nostalgic as an old karaoke machine and turns it into the centerpiece of a bloody supernatural romp. It is a simple concept, but the filmmakers understand exactly what kind of movie they are making.

Horror has spent decades turning ordinary objects into threats, and Bad Karaoke fits comfortably into that tradition. There is some of the same anything-goes spirit that made films like Killer Bong work for the right audience, where the absurdity of the object is part of the joke rather than something the movie needs to explain away.

The karaoke machine itself is also a smart choice.

There was a time when portable karaoke machines could turn almost any room, bar, or party into an impromptu performance space, whether everyone wanted that to happen or not. Bad Karaoke takes that familiarity and gives it a supernatural edge, using the machine as an excuse to mix music, comedy, and increasingly bloody consequences.

What stands out most is how polished the film looks considering how straightforward the premise is.

There is a level of production quality here that gives Bad Karaoke a bigger feel than you might expect from this kind of splatter comedy. The movie does not reinvent the genre, but it is put together well enough that it should play strongly with a festival audience looking for something energetic and easy to settle into.

The cast helps considerably.

Kat Cunning and Lexi Underwood bring a natural musical presence to the film, and it is not difficult to believe that several of the performers have genuine music backgrounds or experience beyond acting. At times, Bad Karaoke feels almost like an opportunity for the cast to combine their musical talents with a messy night of popcorn horror.

For audiences who enjoy musical performance, theater culture, or karaoke itself, that combination will probably be one of the movie’s biggest strengths.

Personally, the extended singing portions were not always an easy sell for me. Karaoke can already be a particular kind of secondhand discomfort when you are not invested in the performance, and there are moments where that element slows the movie down.

Fortunately, the cast is committed enough to keep those scenes moving.

Cunning and the rest of the ensemble bring enough personality and chemistry to the material that the film rarely loses your attention completely. Once the horror kicks back in, the combination of blood, comedy, and ridiculous circumstances gives the movie the late-night energy it needs.

That is ultimately where Bad Karaoke works best.

It is not attempting to be an extraordinary reinvention of supernatural horror. It is a charming, knowingly ridiculous splatter comedy built around an instantly recognizable piece of technology and the fear that something completely ordinary could suddenly turn against you.

There is also something appropriately old-fashioned about that idea.

Every generation gets its own version of horror built around technology. Phones, televisions, computers, cameras, and countless other devices have all become sources of terror. Bad Karaoke simply asks why the karaoke machine should be left out.

Final Cut

Bad Karaoke is a polished little horror comedy with enough blood, charm, and musical energy to make it a natural fit for the FrightFest crowd. The premise is familiar and the movie never pushes far beyond its central gimmick, but the cast sells the material and the splatter keeps things entertaining.

It may not be a standout reinvention of the formula, but for a late-night festival watch with a crowd ready to laugh, sing, and watch things get messy, Bad Karaoke understands the assignment.

Score: 3/5