With all that being said, this slasher still works far more often than not. The biggest reason for that is the soundtrack. Feeding Fingers provided the entire soundtrack, and it rocks. It has a distinct 1980s vibe while still sounding perfectly modern. McCarthy uses each song well within the context of a given scene and the story overall.
The next reason Pillow Party Massacre is more than just some straight-to-DVD drivel is the cast. Welsh turns in a perfectly honed performance, easily projecting grief and remorse. Sweeney is fun, while Pullen is fun as the friend everyone else seems to hate. Jon Meggison as Adam is very funny in a brief role.
“Welsh turns in a perfectly honed performance…”
As for the kills, which can make or break an otherwise solid slasher, they are a mixed bag. The practical effects are gooey and look good. However, they are mixed with some of the dodgiest CGI blood ‘n guts created since digital effects could be done on a laptop. The results are jarring, as half of it is damn good, while the other half is inept on all levels.
For hardcore horror hounds who cannot get enough slashers, Pillow Party Massacre fits the bill well enough. The cast is terrific for the most part, and the soundtrack is a definitive saving grace. However, the story hits all the cliches and feels uninspired because of it. This is made even more frustrating due to how easy it is to figure out who’s behind the murders. Still, there are much worse slashers out there, and seriously, the songs are just terrific.
"…seriously, the songs are just terrific."
