L'ange du mal

REDEEMER: SON OF SATAN is an unusual slasher film, in that it has a religiously-based revenge theme.

A group of six people are gathered at their old high school for their 10th reunion, only to discover that they are the only ones present. Terror erupts when they are killed off by a madman wearing various disguises. Each person is condemned by the killer for his / her "deadly sin".

Though it can be slow-moving and tiresome in spots, at least it gets points for trying to be original! The stalking menace is fairly creepy, and the grim reaper costume is a nice touch.

EXTRA POINTS FOR: The seating of the future victims at the reunion table, resembling the "Last Supper"...

A darn good amateur film!

Okay, it's not particularly good. But if look at in context, it's pretty impressive. For most of the people involved in this movie, this is either their first movie or only movie. This is writer, William Vernick's, only movie. This is director, Constantine S. Gochis', only movie. Of all the actors and actresses, it is only Jeannetta Arnette who goes on to have a film career. So, when you consider how little experience everyone had on the set, this is a delightful little horror film. It clocks in under 90 minutes, and once you get through the first 30 minutes of set up, the rest of the film really breezes by. They don't have much money, but they make the most of it, and the finished product is much better than it has any right to be.

I am amazed how many people seem to remember this movie, and actually hunted it up on video. Me, too. I saw it when I was 17 and was so scared I actually slept with my bedroom light on. OK, it didn't have that effect today, 24 years later, and most of it is just terrible, but: I can't believe how well I remembered it over the years. Parts of it definitely stayed with me, and that is pretty impressive for a no-budget little nothing movie. I think most of the religious symbolism is underdeveloped (I really can't tell if the movie is endorsing religion or appalled by it), and the mysterious second thumb that travels from character to character is a bit much. The acting sucks (only Jeannetta Arnette seems to have any talent, and even then it's hard to be sure because of the poor sound quality--though she has proven it over the years, most spectacularly in Boys Don't Cry), the special effects are limited by budget, and the film is a technical shambles. But it is really scary in places, and it does indeed stay with one. Most memorable moment: the creepy marionette who releases the dagger. Creepiest moment: the extremely sudden, yet strangely calm moment when the Redeemer just shows up in the bathroom, though the women have only just turned their backs and have only separated for a second or two. Its quickness, unaccompanied by a jolt of "Boo!" music makes it quite frightening; he is just there all of a sudden, and ready for business. I guess I recommend this movie with big reservations. I don't quite buy all the pseudo-deep religioso explanations I see posted here, and I think the film-makers' intentions were way above their abilities, but, still, The Redeemer (and I do recall the "Son of Satan" tag as part of the title clear back in 1978)is worth seeing. Hack through the cheese and there is something there. It fairly cries out to be remade, this time with just a bit more polish.

I wasn't expecting much, but "The Redeemer" really entertained me. The low budget, poor quality stock, and choppy editing didn't distract from what is a weirdly atmospheric mash-up of a stereotypical "school reunion" slasher movie with a late 1970's satanic supernatural chiller. There's some excellent almost dreamlike scenes, especially the duck hunter, the use of masks and giant mascot heads, and the theatre performance, which comes complete with a creepy life size puppet. There's also plenty of religious symbolism, including the victims seated at a buffet similar to the disciples at the Last Supper. The appearance of six fingers on the hand of one character reminded me of an Old Testament biblical reference to fallen angels, which would match with the words of the written narration at the beginning and end. Maybe not everyone's cup of tea, but certainly worth a watch if you're bored with the same old modern horror cliches and want something different.

This offbeat little curiosity happens to be one of my absolute favorite slasher films. In fact, only 1974's "Black Christmas" (which is also my pick for best of the horror genre in general) beats it. Released mere months before Carpenter's "Halloween" would kick start the core slasher movement, it's an extremely eerie picture. There's a sense of the foreboding here that is more prevalent than you'd expect. It focuses on a mysterious morality killer who tricks a group of "undesirables" into attending a fake high school reunion, only to begin picking them off once they arrive. If you think this sounds a bit like "Slaughter High", you'd be right. This came first and is the infinitely better of the two. It's religious subtext alone makes it far more intriguing than that popular, but ultimately quite bland effort.

The six so-called degenerates include a lawyer, a gay actor, a lesbian, a cute girl who takes pride in her appearance, a rich snob and a cocky former football jock with gluttonous tendencies. Despite negative comments about the acting on this site and in a horror reference guide of mine, the six main characters are perfectly believable people. In fact, all but the glutton wind up being rather likable, particularly Cindy, played with a free-spirited innocence by the lovely Jeannetta Arnette. The Redeemer himself comes off as over the top at times, which actually works in the character's favor, really making him seem like an absolute lunatic. His Shakespearean rant in the auditorium is a highlight. Props to T.G. Finkbinder for going all in with the role and, in turn, bringing to life one of the most memorable psychos on film.

Indeed, the Redeemer is a very creepy individual. Throughout, he dons many different costumes (as "Terror Train"'s killer did a few years later), each one representing an aspect specific to his victims' lives. It's an unsettling touch that really adds to the overall tone. Perhaps the creepiest scene in the entire movie is when one of the girls is yelling for someone in the distance to let her out of the locked down school. Said individual turns out to be the Redeemer, dressed as the Grim Reaper, who proceeds to pound on the barred window with his scythe.

This film is an exercise in the surreal, the above mentioned sequence being positively nightmarish in execution. The film's ambiguous opening and closing segments revolving around a sinister child reinforce this feeling tenfold. The school itself is an atmospheric setting, imprisoning our characters like a tomb. The rural area surrounding it certainly lends to the feeling of hopeless isolation.

Having originally seen this via the big box "Class Reunion Massacre" VHS at my local video store, I was instantly taken with it. Not easy to forget, it's a bleak, dread-inducing slasher with a unique utilization of religious themes and well worth rediscovering. It should be regarded much more highly. It truly is one of a kind.