Slayed

Still haunted by tragedies, the workers at a water treatment plant are trying to close up for the holiday season when a series of accidents around the facility cause them to believe a strange killer in a Santa outfit killing them one-by-one and must find the reason why to get away alive.

This was a pretty decent holiday horror offering. Among its better elements is a nice setup that offers a rather different take on the usual genre offerings featured through the first half. The early build-up featuring the layout of the plant and what they're working on the holiday are quite intriguing at getting this set up as to who's going to be around and the relationships with each other. That this also offers up some fun holiday scenery with the lighting and decorations strewn around the office, however small they might initially appear, gets this going pretty nicely. Given the charge into the series of chasing around the plant once it becomes clear what's going on and the barbaric tortures that are being set up here offer up some great kills and tons of bloodshed as a result which give this a lot to like. There are a few flaws with this one. The main issue present is that for every smart decision the characters engage in trying to figure out what's going on there's another one that's moronically stupid and irritating. The rookie cop is the most egregious, for while he tries to act sensibly in staying out of sight and trying to wait for a safer option to present itself instead of blindly rushing into something he's still capable of some utterly stupid decisions. Constantly running around the facility trying to find survivors or look for keys to something that doesn't need to be found showcases some fully awful choices that result in nothing more than extended chasing for no reason. As well, the finale's twist doesn't really make much sense in the grand scheme of things. While that revelation does come across as a total shock with absolutely no way to know what's going on beforehand, the way it causes the film to shift gears is quite unexplained. Rather than carry on the series of stalking and confrontations with the killer that's been highly enjoyable the speechifying explaining why seems to halt the momentum to do this. Moreover, the explanation doesn't seem logical as to why it would cause a rampage in the first place, as to carry it out the amount of planning and prep-work to go into dishing it out is unlikely and renders the holiday setting somewhat irrelevant to pull it off. These few slight issues do bring it down just enough over the positives.

Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Violence and Graphic Language.

'Slayed' is an oddity. Co-directors Jim Klock and Mike Capozzi illustrate a measure of artistic tact in some of the shots and scenes they arrange, and in realizing Klock's screenplay, while other instances are dubiously, absolutely overdone. The production values tend to teeter ever between "staged TV movie artifice" and "modern bare-faced ultra-low budget eyesore." The grisly violence suggested in the premise and (somewhat inauthentically) shown as early as the brief opening scene is counterbalanced with a sardonic, sometimes nonsensical levity - while falling short of horror-comedy laughs. And in a feature that's only a hair over 73 minutes long, including credits, there's a fair bit of what feels purely like exposition before the plot meaningfully begins, and a slow build to the horror core - and yet, still, it feels a little long in the tooth.

I appreciate some of the details put into the narrative, such as Crandle's apparent preparation. On the other hand, some moments feel out of place, marking the editing and sequencing as deficient as well, and there are definite contrivances on hand in too many ways. I appreciate how the cast vigorously leans into their roles - including Klock and Capozzi themselves in prominent roles, and supporting cast members like Coel Mahal or Kyra Kennedy - yet there's also an unmistakable dearth of subtlety in their performances, as in much of the picture broadly. 'Slayed' is marked through and through with a bizarre dichotomy between mindfulness and carelessness, thoughtful craft and brazen construction. The term "whiplash" is perhaps too charged, but it's certainly a peculiar viewing experience - not least of all as the movie somehow attains a strange level of balance between its opposed qualities.

To be fair, I hardly think 'Slayed' has any illusions about being something it's not. I feel like Klock and Capozzi know what level they're operating on, and are happy to do so, as long as they get to make movies and have fun doing it. Good for them! One rather has to admire the earnestness of the endeavor. Of course, keeping in line with the pervasive, all-around division between good and bad - the sincerity that one may be inclined to feel in the movie is also countered by flailing, overzealous self-indulgence for much of the latter half.

It's not that this is a bad movie - I just don't think it's at all remarkable. There's no especial reason to seek it out, but then, if you're looking for a bit of horror (holiday-themed in particular), you could also do a lot worse. There's nothing here to really grab our attention or spark the imagination - but for all its faults, 'Slayed' still manages to be just engaging enough to be passable.

Worth 73 minutes of your time? Sure, if you can accept the feature on its level.

I gave this movie a higher rating because I enjoyed it better than many of the other amateur xmas holiday horrors.. It's my holiday tradition to watch low-budget Xmas horrors and/or comedies.

For a Xmas horror comedy, these actors actually seem very self aware of the mockery and you can tell that they have studied enough acting and comedy to rank their performances higher than many others in this specific genre. Unlike most Xmas horror films with generically bad actors these actors are engaging and funny... The secretary (Hilarious. I wanted to see more of her being comically mean to everyone.), the "creepy" groundskeeper (he was actually very entertaining, handsome and sexy) and the new security guard (a highly self-aware, comical and enjoyable performance) are all engaging and humorous characters that make you want to keep watching this story until the end.

This low budget XMas horror/comedy has a unique setting in the warm southern USA with some "Scream"-like twists and turns. Despite the low budget, anyone can tell that the film makers here have some talent and self-aware satire to grow on.

I had fun with this movie while wrapping presents and drinking wine.

If you like cheap Xmas horror but you don't want another typical "at home" setting or the same lame acting, you might enjoy this 1:13min movie before bed during the holidays.

I wasn't too impressed with the film overall but it was fun. I think that was the intention (at least I hope it was). The acting is pretty weak sometimes but the movie still ends up working way better than it should. If you like movies like Silent Night, Deadly Night then you should really enjoy this one.

Jim Klock and Mike Capozzi write, direct and star in this low budget but enjoyable Santa slasher. Jim Klock's acting absolutely steals the show while Mike Capozzi and Coel Mahal also give strong performances. Hardcore fans of movies like "Silent Night, Deadly Night" and "Christmas Evil" should find this film a lot of fun. So if you love holiday horror, make sure to check out Slayed - it's a helluva slay ride!