Director Marcel Walz and screenwriter Joe Knetter venture into the grimy world of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre-inspired horror with Brute 1976. To be fair, the film also takes cues from Wes Craven’s The Hills Have Eyes as well. Unsurprisingly, the movie is set in 1976 and follows a group of models, their photographer, and others as they venture into the desert for a shoot. Of course, they then encounter someone or something who wishes them dead. So, nothing new really, but if the kills are entertaining enough and there’s decent atmosphere, the motion picture can still be a good bloody time, right?
Photographer Jordy (Adam Bucci), drug-loving driver Charlie (Robert Flested Jr.), and models Roxy (Adriane McLean) and Sunshine (Sarah French) are driving across the lonely desert road to meet Raquel (Gigi Gustin) and June (Bianca Jade Montalvo) for a “unity” model bikini shoot, But what those in the van don’t know is that Raquel and June’s car broke down and the main group just sped past them. While searching for help, the girlfriends encounter Brutus (Bishop Stevens), a masked man who kills them.
Once at the meeting spot, Roxy and company are concerned that the other two aren’t there yet. However, they recall seeing a small town called Savage not too far back and plan to go there to use a phone. At Savage, they meet Mama Birdy (Dazelle Yvette), a slightly creepy but seemingly welcoming presence who laments that the highway means her little town is passed over. Of course, though, Brutus and his family are still out for blood and begin hunting the others involved in the photoshoot.
Adrian McLean as Roxy
Brute 1976 – Photo Credit: Kane Richard Anthony Blust;
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“…the girlfriends encounter Brutus, a masked man who kills them.”
Brute 1976 is sun-drenched, which creates a fun feeling for the killings. While the brightness zaps some tension away, that is made up for with the brutality of the murders. Since there’s more than one slasher, there is a variety of deaths, which is sure to please gorehounds.
Unfortunately, the cast is a mixed bag. McLean is excellent, creating a very complete and engaging final girl primarily through her facial expressions. Stevens is also very good as the silent killer, with his hulking frame being genuinely imposing. But no one else is convincing or authentic in their part.
When coupled with the intentionally stereotypical characters, there aren’t many reasons to fully invest in all that happens. However, a twist about who is part of this and how it happened gives the finale a sense of vigor. Additionally, the filmmakers dare to commit to the only logical ending fully, making the conclusion more interesting than the rest of the story.
Brute 1976 is no X, but it is a solid if clichéd slasher. The cast is meh, with two exceptions, but the sheer amount of death and bloodshed provides a cathartic release. Then the ending happens, and the movie proves to have a shocking amount of staying power.
For more information, visit the official Brute 1976 site.
"…a solid if clichéd slasher."
