Street Trash

The original Street Trash from 1987 is a monolithic case in the sense that it notably conjured some of the most iconic imagery in perhaps the entire history of TRASH CINEMA. It's concept is also as perfect as one gets for this sort of film. But, what people don't mention as much is that, outside of it's iconic hyper-colored melt sequences, it's a TERRIBLE movie.

So, here, 37 years later, we have a remake coming out of South Africa, and honestly, I think it's kind of exactly what I hoped it would be. Though it's still blatantly and seemingly purposefully a "bad movie", it's very self-aware, so much that the random blue puppet-like creature who only appears to crack bottom-tier jokes about fellatio when hobos are hallucinating after drinking too much "Viper" is fully fitting and acceptable. While it's often being marketed as a remake, I think it best to think of it more as a spiritual sequel, sort of like Evil Dead (2013). It's packed to the brim with bright neon melt sequences, bodies dripping every colored ooze you can imagine, front to back. Most of the jokes are so bad that you can actually appreciate them for being so consistent, even if you're not laughing, but bad jokes aside, the whole thing feels really inspired and pretty fresh. Even the characters, albeit strong acting ability, manage to each have quite a lot of charisma, often making this feel like some gnarly Saturday morning cartoon from the late 80's or early 90's.

For fans of trash horror, and cult classics in general, this is 100% worthy of your viewing. All fans of the original should absolutely see it as well. For anyone else, probably not. This is the epitome of a movie made for a SPECIFIC AUDIENCE.

I hate to say this, because I love the original Street Trash, and I'm also a fan of B-movies, bad movies and Troma, but I just didn't enjoy this new re-boot/sequel whatever it is. I thought the humour was lame and it tries to be quirky but came across as stupid but not the kind of stupid I like. For many it's worth watching for the gore and melts, which to me I'm guessing, is what most people will want in a Street Trash rehash. And the FX are done well. The story and characters I didn't like. I can see it pays a lot of homage to the original. It just didn't hit the right nerve for me. Still I'm glad it exists as many will like it and it's probably a nuts enough of a movie for any trash movie or body horror fan.

This is a remake, reboot of the original 1987 film. The original film was a very funny and disgusting 80"s splatter film. This is a little more story oriented and more of a dystopian sci fi action film where the homeless are a target by the system and they fight back. This is very different from the original film and has more social commentary. It's still very tongue in cheek and does maintain the disgusting splatter effects where people's skin melts and explodes. For what this is, it's still a decent watch. However I feel the 2024 version riffs more from Paul Verhoven's Robocop than the original film. The acting performances are mostly disposable and inferior to the gore. If you enjoy lighthearted splatter flicks with a good amount of action, you have a good chance enjoying this. I did find this to be amusing but I much prefer the original film as it's more unique and better executed.

I have to say that I was not a fan of the 1987 movie "Street Trash", with not actually having watched it before now in 2025, so I wasn't particularly harboring much of any grand expectations to the 2024 version. But still, since it was a movie that I hadn't already seen, and with the years in between and hoping the effects would be improved, of course I opted to check out what director Ryan Kruger had to offer.

The storyline in this 2024 movie was at least a bit more solid than in the 1987 version, however, writers Ryan Kruger and James C. Williamson didn't exactly put together a script of Shakespearian contents. While I did manage to sit through the entire 85 minutes that the movie ran for, I can't claim that I was particularly impressed or overly entertained.

I wasn't familiar with a single actor or actress on the cast list, aside from Gary Green, and that actually spoke well in favor of the movie, as I enjoy watching unfamiliar and new talents on the screen. The acting performances in "Street Trash" were fair.

The effects in the movie were quite good, definitely a major improvement from the 1987 movie. I do like the over-the-top gore and gruesomeness of the effects, as it is something you rarely see in movies. The special effects actually helped carry the movie a great long way, making it all the more bearable to sit through.

Watchable for what it was, but it is hardly a movie that warrants more than a single viewing. It is not a movie that I would recommend to horror fans, unless you are a fan of the 1987 version.

My rating of director Ryan Kruger's 2024 "Street Trash" lands on a four out of ten stars.

So apparently a remake of the '80s cult classic horror movie "Street Trash" was made in South Africa this year. I just watched it and it's got nothing on that original, and still very unique, movie. If you want a b-grade splatter flick, then I guess this remake might wag your tail. But I found it pretty forgettable.

The original movie didn't really have a plot, which is what made it so cool. Well, that and the fluorescent gore effects. It was just a series of riffs on splatter themes mixed with comedy and a sly wink at the audience that let you know the filmmakers were having fun and wanted us to join in. Considering it's well remembered by cult film fans decades later, I think it's fair to say we did.

This remake has more plot, seemingly, though it doesn't really make sense. It's homeless people again, including a Yiddish-spouting guy who looks a lot like Stanley Kubrick, and another one played by that extraordinary South African actor from the director's previous, and superior, "Fried Barry", who looks like a cross between Bad Boy Bubby and a caveman.

The way his eyes are clear but apparently see nothing, and the way he blinks and stands still like he's patiently waiting for somebody to tell him what to do, reminds me of the character creation screen in a CRPG.

He steals every scene he's in, simply by virtue of him being in it. He doesn't have to do anything, he's just such a bizarre specimen you always find yourself looking at him.

The same can't be said for the guy who plays the main character, unfortunately.

The plot, as near as I can tell, is something to do with a rich South African trying to kill the country's homeless population. I didn't really understand it.

They should have had the guts to make a plotless movie, like the original one was. This movie is unhinged and crazy enough- or seems to want to be - to pull it off. But the plot keeps getting in the way, such as it is.