Girls Against Boys

If you are expecting a brainless slasher movie then this isn't it.

The dynamics between the two main characters are a brilliant example of Folie à deux.

It is well written and the acting is superb, but it does take a bit of understanding at a deeper level than a slasher movie. It is more of a psychological tease of your brain, wondering just how the story will turn out.

Well worth a watch if you like something interesting where you are sucked into the story and the lives of the characters.

Right from the start it was a pretty good representation of art imitating life, pretty girls party with guys they meet at a bar and it goes wrong pretty quickly, a few cliches with the straw sucker and the annoying ex (played by the Russian gangster guy from Limitless) doing his best bad guy once again. This movie kinda reminds me of the premise of Promising Young Woman, take advantage of a woman and you may get away with it 1000 times, pick the wrong victim and you're history and you didn't even see it coming and if you're lucky? It's just an Urban myth that keeps you straight and moral in your interactions with people. If you're not? Scissors or swords or maybe a 9mm to the upper body. Worth a watch, it's no I Spit On Your Grave or House at the End of the Street but it's a light and quick flick you will probably enjoy if you like Indie type flicks that suspend reality (ie: no cops, no repercussions, no questions, just blind justice.

It's pretty obvious that even the media critics, who get paid to watch movies and are supposed to have greater insight than the average joe, didn't understand this movie. They were too busy looking for the elements of what ever genre they had already consigned the movie to and when those elements weren't there, instead of maybe wondering what they missed they simply wrote it off as a failed movie. To be fair, maybe you have to see it at least twice to pick up the hints that tell you what the real story is. I won't point them out because that would be too much of a spoiler but, to anyone who reads reviews before they see a movie, don't be sidetracked by those who call it a "revenge flick", or a "slasher flick", whether they liked it or disdained it as an example of those genres, and look for more.

Shae (Danielle Panabaker) is a college student/part-time bartender. She is having an affair with a married man. He tries to break it off and reveals that he has a daughter. She is shocked and decides to go partying. After a night out, she gets raped. She then befriends a co-worker Lulu (Nicole LaLiberte) who turns out to be a psycho and helps her get revenge.

This is Death Wish for girls. At least that's the goal. The concept is fine. Filmmaker Austin Chick is definitely trying to inject some feminist anti-male theories into the start of the film. It forms the justification for Nicole to seek revenge on all men. Nicole's character is so obviously crazy right from the start. Any justification is meaningless. Danielle Panabaker's acting is very wooden. She's trying for a stun look after the rape and then the murders. But she's not Charles Bronson. It just comes off as stiff acting. If anything, this movie is an indictment of female empowerment. Instead of rooting for the death of a rapist, we're thrown as to who to truly root for.... The Rapist or The Murderers. This is a flawed film but the anti-male bent seems to have riled up the critics.

This is my first review on IMDb, but I felt compelled to add my review to the others regarding this film. I started watching this movie a couple of times before I actually watched the entire film. It starts out slowly and I think that initial "slowness" caused me to stop watching. I write this, so those of you who, like me, start watching and because the movie starts off slow, just stops and chooses something else to watch. My suggestion is to sit back and allow the movie to progress, because it does pick up and you'll find yourself involved with the characters portrayed in this movie.

Danielle Panabaker once again shows her versatility that really shows her talent as an actress that is one to watch in her upcoming films. However, Nicole LaLiberte, who's pretty much unknown, really shines in this movie and I really hope she gets noticed. Although this film being a low budget one, probably will not be her breakout role. I find that a real tragedy, because she really is the star in this movie and shows a depth of character and tremendous skill in acting. Yes, Nicole LaLiberte steals the show from the very talented Danielle Panabaker. She is why I felt compelled to add my review to the others in this film. If your interested in seeing new young stars emerge, then you must see this film. Miss LaLiberte is one I will be watching for in upcoming films.

Returning to the film, I don't want to give anything away in this film. All I want to relay to you as potential viewers is, if you find yourself starting to change the channel at the beginning, pause for a moment, and give this little gem a chance. I think you'll find it worthwhile. It takes you on a journey you're unlikely to forget and leaves you thinking about what the journey this film has taken you.