El Padrastro

Not expecting anything great, this film is deemed as somewhat of an erotic thriller type, bordering on soft core with the amount of skin shown and explicit scenes while instrumental music is playing in the background the scenes.

The plot revolves seemingly around a teen (Monique Gabrielle)- the description mentions she's a teen yet in the film it doesn't make note, as she was around 29 or 30 in the actual film. So that was hard to take her serious playing this deluded teenager given her mature looks and behaviour. Also it's bizarre how the "step father" Steven never fully questions her or even asks for ID. Both him and his girlfriend immediately are rude and dislike her yet never think the call the cops on her. They know she's strange yet he allows her to stay in her house multiple nights.

The plot of this film is obviously secondary as it's something which has been done many times (unknown character randomly shows up and turns out to be a psycho with kills along the way). The reveal isn't shocking as we expect it. There are plenty of explicit skin scenes including the highlight with Gabrielle and one of the hitmen towards the later part- ultimately ending violent. This film is essentially a vehicle for both leading women to show skin. Nothing more, the acting all around is subpar, unintentionally funny and a reason why it's hard to take anything serious.

Many modern B-movies, especially the Erotic Thriller kind, take themselves much too seriously and consequently suffer - because the viewer never does. Some B-movies therefore go to the other extreme and spoof themselves, like the Vice Academy series. This does not work very well either, because this genre is very difficult to spoof, unless you are satisfied with the slapstick version.

Much better is the approach taken in this film: it does not take itself seriously one minute, although all the sex and violence are played straight (albeit bordering on the farcical side). It is sleazy, it knows it is sleazy, it has fun being sleazy. In a way it relates to the majority of modern B-movies as Destry Rides Again (1939) relates to the majority of Westerns. In other words, it is tongue-in-cheek, but it plays strictly by the genre rules, and the result is much better than the average genre entry.

Any film that features the luscious Monique Gabrielle is a must-see in our book. Ms.Gabrielle is a favorite of the academy having been awarded its highest honor (All-Century team-Eye Candy Hall of Fame). In all her performances, Ms.Gabrielle usually gives it her all and never lets us down. In this film she surpasses our highest expectations and we thank her for it. She is an interesting cast choice by the director Graver (a genetic clone of the auteur Olen Ray). The character Angel is either a troubled teen-age girl or a troubled adult acting like a teen-age girl. With this complex character, Ms.Gabrielle strips away layers of her facade allowing the audience to gain more and more revealing glimpses of Angel until she explodes into a wild ride of energy. Raven (Rachel Vickers) also gives a fine performance and allows the viewer to compare/contrast her talents with Ms. Gabrielle. Overall, Ms.Gabrielle as Angel is pure heaven.

This chic flick has such poor acting it was hard to sit through. A plump teen goes on a killing streak. Unless you want to see Vicky Vickers having very explicit sex (fake moans included), the movie is a total waste of time and money.

Once again Monique Gabrielle looks gorgeous, and does a pretty good acting job too as Angel. She is much better actress than people think, just too bad that she had to work with such a bad directors during her "mainstream" career. Not one of her better movies, but this one is ok, and a must for every Monique Gabrielle fan.