However, all of those problems look like gold at the rainbow’s end compared to the biggest sin of Tokyo Home Stay Massacre—the acting. When I’m reviewing a low budget, independent motion picture, I give the acting a lot of leeway, as experience creates better thespians. So, as long as it seems the actors are trying their hardest and putting their all into the role, I will usually call it good. But not here, not with this movie.
None of the actors are convincing in the least. Harrell, Laura, and Derycz are lifeless, dull beings, sucking the energy out of every scene. When Spencer tells Sarah that he knows about the abortion does not come across as tragic or dramatic. Due to stilted line readings and a lack of chemistry, the scene instead comes across as forced and awkward. None of them get better, by the way, as they convey the horrific acts being done to them with all the gusto of a Denny’s waiter working their third straight shift on the busiest day of the week: just over it all.
“…the nadir of this trainwreck is the acting…”
On the exact opposite side of that coin, but just as frustrating is the host family. They are all dialed up to 11. Each of the members is so over-the-top and goofy that they might as well be cartoons. Of course, this style of acting clashes with the dull surprise of the young adults being tortured. This lack of cohesion ensures that Tokyo Home Stay Massacre is dead on arrival.
Aside from a fun-sounding title, Tokyo Home Stay Massacre offers potential viewers nothing of substance. There are no frights to be had, the gore effects are poorly done, the plot is all cliches, and the direction is tepid. But the nadir of this trainwreck is the acting, which, without a doubt, is the worst of the entire year. None of the cast is accidentally interesting, all just boring or too manic to be scary.
"…this so-called horror movie is not scary in the least."
