Then there’s Fish Man Sam. Thanks to dramatic irony, audiences are clued into the slasher villain before the foolish protagonists. But, his reasoning makes little sense, and the way he’s targeting victims is also haphazardly thought out. If this is meant to be some form of meta-commentary on the often ridiculous reason baddies in horror flicks go about murdering, it lands with a thud. The stakes need to feel real so that audiences feel for the main characters and invest in their journey. But that doesn’t happen here.
However, with all that said, there is a ton about Slaughter Beach to really recommend. The first positive point is its runtime of 87-minutes. Nothing overstays its welcome, and if one action beat or joke doesn’t work, another is immediately forthcoming. Luckily, the ratio between the comedic moments that work versus the duds is actually pretty high. In one scene, a beachgoer asks Ralph and Barry to watch his stuff while he runs to the restroom. Barry believes they should use his fishing pole to catch some food while he’s away. Ralph is certain that such a thing would constitute a crime, but his friend, using non-logic logic, sweet talks him into it.
“…McKoy and Han share a natural, easy chemistry.”
That kind of banter works because McKoy and Han share a natural, easy chemistry. While they both tend to play things too broadly at times (this is probably a directing thing), the two prove to have real talent and excellent comedic timing. This means that even when the script doesn’t call for it, everyone watching roots for and likes the leads to the very end.
Also helping to keep Slaughter Beach afloat are the terrific gore effects from Isabelle Isel. While the film is clearly a low-budget affair, the effects easily rival many big studio slasher productions. The gore is top-notch and bloody while still retaining eye-popping colors, maintaining the cartoonish nature of the proceedings. A standout moment involves the maiming of a couple on the beach at night.
If the bumbling characters in Mystery Team were to be replaced with more competent individuals, there’s still an engaging mystery-thriller left. If Slaughter Beach swapped non-nitwits for Ralph and Barry, the horror angle is not strong enough to carry the film. But, thanks to the strong chemistry between the main characters and the sheer speed of the jokes, the film is a fun time. Then there are the awe-inspiring gore effects, as the cherry on top. So, when all is said and done, Davis has crafted a fun distraction that’s an amusing one-time watch. His next outing though could be something exceptional.
To learn how to survive at Slaughter Beach, check out the film’s site.
"…the effects easily rival many big studio slasher productions."
