THE FINAL GIRLS (2015)

Directed By: Todd Strauss-Schulson 
Written By: Joshua John Miller & M.A. Fortin 
Cinematography By: Elie Smolkin 
Editor: Debbie Berman 


Cast: Taissa Farmiga, Malin Akerman, Alia Shawkat, Adam Devine, Alexander Ludwig, Nina Dobrev, Angela Trimbaur, Chloe Bridges, Thomas Middleditch, Torey N. Thompson, Lauren Gros 

A young woman grieving the loss of her mother, a famous scream queen from the 1980s, finds herself pulled into the world of her mom's most famous movie. Reunited, the women must fight off the film's maniacal killer.


This is a case of so close, but no cigar. As there is plenty to like and even love about this film. But it feels like either it missed it's aim by a few inches or is absent an element.

It is better than some other horror spoofs or films that want to lampoon the genre. As the film shows an appreciation for it. While Also trying to be it and set up something different or at least put a spin on previous ones.

The film is inventive and full of ideas, but feels like a bunch of set-ups and isn't as revelatory as it tries to present things and ends up rather bland on some points. One only Wishes it had been a bit inside baseball and not necessarily use the rules everyone knows. Use some ones only HORROR aficionados do and still put a spin on it.

When the characters start reacting emotionally and true to the situations, they find themselves in. That is when the film hits the right moments. Where it truly excels.

Understandably the movie they find themselves in is ridiculous and obviously modeled on FRIDAY THE 13TH as far as a slasher film. Though the parody could have been more thought out and better. If so it would have been more fun to watch the characters play in by the rules. Even as the film tries to show them as characters and not labels they would typically fall into.

Part of the fun of the movie when they fail they are outs rating the slasher and rules only to make their situation worse. Almost like a time travel movie.

The cast is fully game filled with recognizable actors who are more comedically based. Though some of them don't really get as much time to make an impression. They all seem to be having fun and Tassia Farminga is no stranger to horror. As she starred in a few seasons of AMERICAN HORROR STORY the tv series. So quite naturally as the lead here you get someone who is known Through the genre.

The film is almost single handedly stolen by actress Angela Trimbaur in a comedic role tour de force performance. Where she plays a character within the horror film they find themselves in and she is the easy, smutty airhead. Who they have to contain and protect her from her urges and the scene where they try to use her as bait and she gets into their medication is worth the price of admission alone. I hope she finds more roles like this or that filmmakers see this film and get her the working characters she deserves. She improvised her entire dance sequence. She slammed energy drinks to get in character and worked herself up for the frantic dance.

One of the problems here seems to be the movie has a glib attitude towards the horror genre. Instead of a love for it. It feels like they more want to make fun of the genre. Rather then honor it or show respect. It looking for a deep examination . Just some more acknowledgement other than just surface rules.

As it doesn't bring too much to the table we haven't seen before. Just as it could have been longer by allowing some of the characters more screen time. Rather then them just develop then killed off. I know slasher films can be short, but a little more character development would have been nice. Then again this is a film inside of a film not known for deep characterization.

The film focuses on the main relationships of mother and daughter. To make the film work and keep them there. It allows the film to show an emotional bond between characters. That takes over at times the horror plot as the film wants to have heart, but then it cuts short the secondary characters who are funny and interesting themselves.

I wish there had been a sequel as the ending suggests and leaves room for one. As it would have been a good way to make fun of or have fun with sequels and franchises and explain some resurrections and why can't they seem to find a way back. Not to mention to the home audience watching this what does it mean. Though I guess we can live with the ending that is here and think it satisfactory. Though with a sequel it leaves more room to do more and be more original. Never quite makes good on the promise it seems to be moving towards and provide. So what while witty. Still isn’t strong enough to stand behind on it’s Own two feet.

It feels generalized and while it seems like the filmmakers did their homework on the genre. It also seems more like they are dismantling it from a more intellectual level and making fun of it rather the. Laughing with it. It feels more like an outside examination rather then a fan’s interpretation.

It’s not a bad movie it’s one of those movies that almost get’s it all right but then males some glaring disappointments that makes the film stop short of greatness. Even if the film has more than enough powers that be to reach it’s full potential.

One of the more aspects of horror at least as of late is that it has been more rewarding to actresses and it’s female characters making them seem more full and well rounded as far believability and giving them something to do other then being pretty or getting naked which was what it seemed in more earlier and generic entries that was all they were there to do as the violence more appealed to men and pretty girls in need of saving or in states of undress where they are used more as attraction for their intended audience.

Luckily over the years the genre has subverted the roles and rules so that more and more they are becoming more the heroines with the backstories and something to prove or surprising themselves by what they overcome to become the hero.

Now men have become sometimes the characters who are pretty but have nothing really to offer other then that and that they seem pretty nice and normal yet rigged when they have to be. Which seems to be the case here.

What works strongly is that the film starts off with the characters from the real world. Yet they feel like they can easily fit into character types. Yet as the film goes along they become more real while being in this horror film. So that they develop backstories and when they perish you hate to see them go.

Would really like them to make a sequel as then they would have more room to make fun of horror and sequels. Maybe also have a stronger script and direction.

It feels like the filmmakers believe they are smarter then what they are or consider themselves experts and while they know their horror. Not necessarily experts as they touch on certain subjects and issues but leave a lot to be desired at other times. As the film feels more superficial then the depth it is attempts. Especially with it’s more flashy direction in sequences where it’s not needed.

In the original script, the kids began undergoing physical and psychological transformations after they entered the film. The girls' waistlines shrunk, their breasts ballooned, and Gertie was so enamored by her newfound beauty that she tried to sabotage her friends to ensure they could never leave.

I say give it a chance but don't be like me and go in with high expectations.

Grade: B-