Red Screening

Slasher is perhaps my least favourite horror subgenre, but when it’s as well made as this, I’ve no problem with it. A very nice and stylish retro flick about a psychopath who for some unknown reason decides to butcher the people in a cinema during a screening of Frankenstein. But not many people have come to the movie, so it’s not proper carnage, but a gradual and atmospheric murder-fest instead. Don’t expect any twists, it’s a simple story that only goes from A to B. (31/12/2020)

An exotic and honest tribute to 1980s and giallo from Uruguay, and quite possibly an unofficial remake of the excellent Anguish: Blind Terror. We haven’t had such a thoroughbred slasher in almost two years, so The Last Matinee deserves great attention from fans of the subgenre. The story takes place in a cinema, where a classic movie, Frankenstein, is being screened when a psychopath in a black cloak starts wreaking havoc with a knife, enjoying pulling out people's eyes. After a lukewarm first half an hour, the film gains quite a decent pace. The soundtrack is excellent, there are even Argento's red filters, and the gore is solid, although I have some minor complaints about the murder weapon (I would replace that pocket knife the killer uses with either a kitchen knife, a hook, or an axe, but that's just a detail). It's a bit disappointing that there is no nudity or humor, which are typical for the genre, but otherwise everything works, from the visuals, the tension, the music, and the violence. Enjoyable stuff for fans. Story***, Action***, Humor*, Violence****, Entertainment****, Music****, Visuals****, Atmosphere****, Tension***. 7.5/10. (02/01/2021)