One of the films we saw at MAY MADNESS, btw WB GRIMMFEST, was the hilarious 80's slasher romp VICIOUS FUN. The name is so accurate for this dark comedy from Cody Callahan. One thing that jumps at you from the start is the engaging and irrational behavior of our star Joel Played by Evan Marsh. While it hit home to see a film about a movie critic believe you me I wanted nothing to do with trouble he was in for.
VICIOUS FUN is violent, laugh out loud hysterical and sure to please fans of all genres. The film follows Joel who clearly doesn't like his new roommates boyfriend and somehow finds himself in a self help group for serial killers (say that 3x fast!) Things take a shift when the sexy and outstanding Amber Goldfarb turns the tables and now her and Joel must escape the wrath of a peculiar group of killers. The cast is phenomenal including the always impressive Julian Richings. Viewers with weak stomachs may get a little squeamish watching FUN because they don't shy away from the gore and destruction. Hence the title of the film.
I was completely surprised at how much I enjoyed VICIOUS FUN. Not only did it do well at the festival but when it hits Shudder and more I expect to hear some rumblings about it. In the last decade we have had plenty films that have stripped the seriousness that can be found in genre films. It's nice to see that Cody Calahan can make a film that's just plain on downright VICIOUS FUN.
4/5
VICIOUS FUN is directed by Cody Calahan, Written by James Villeneuve, it stars Evan Marsh, Amber Goldfarb, Ari Millen,Julian Richings, Robert Maillet, Sean Baek David Koechner, Alexa Rose Steele, Mark Gibson Kristopher Brown and John Fray.
It hits SHUDDER on June 29th.