The Mouse Trap

Most maniacs seem to be everywhere at once in those movies. Why not have them be able to teleport? It also feeds into the supernatural angle that keeps things unpredictable and spooky. The Mouse Trap also has a lot of character building for a good chunk of the movie before they start lopping heads off. I remember this was the same complaint about the unseen Stream, to which I answer for both that all that work meets tradition and also makes the kills mean something.

Everything that I liked a lot may not be what general audiences out there throng for. For instance, I love candy-colored lighting schemes. I love big honking primary colors, giving everything a surreal sheen. Bailey bathes every square inch of the film with ultra-stylized lighting, including some fine black light work. The Mouse Trap joins the ranks as one of the most colorful horror movies ever made since Suspiria.

“Bailey bathes every square inch of the film with ultra-stylized lighting, including some fine black light work.”

Also, this may be the greatest location for a slasher movie I have ever seen. All of the lights, as well as panels of darkness, make them pop, which is instant production value for any low-budget filmmaker. It also has that sickening contrast of the slaughter in a children’s playpen, brrrrrr!

Phillips has also filled the script with some very clever meta-slasher references. He includes both the well-known rules but also some lesser-known ones, with some classic reactions. Despite a very big hint as to who is under the mask, including a beard that sometimes sticks out, Phillips still has us guessing who is in on it and what is really going on throughout the movie.

It is also finally very Canadian, as it takes place in a universe where hockey is everything and you drink in your final teen year. Canada is an important country in slasher history, from Black Christmas to Prom Night to My Bloody Valentine. To have a slasher that can instantly be identified as uniquely Canadian is a wonderful recognition to that great country’s cinematic contribution.

The Mouse Trap is instantly historical for being the first Mickey Mouse slasher to stick its Steamboat Willy out for Disney to potentially chop off. I am saying you may find it is a very fun time as well, if you just keep tasting.