Blu-ray Review: The Slumber Party Massacre (1982) is a horror comedy classic with a serious Driller Killer!

The Slumber Party Massacre (1982) is a horror comedy that is widely recognized as a cult classic. Trish (Michele Michaels) plans a slumber party for her closest high school friends—Kim (Debra Deliso), Jackie (Andree Honore), and Diane (Gina Mari). Valerie (Robin Stille) has recently transferred to the school. She excels at playing basketball, but is soft-spoken and reserved. While discussing the slumber party in the locker room, Trish tells Diane that she wants to invite Valerie. Diane has a snobbish attitude, and prefers to keep the party to just the “old gang.” Valerie overhears the conversation and declines the party invite when Trish approaches her. The party turns terrifying when Russ Thorn (Michael Villella), an escaped mental patient with a portable power drill, crashes the evening. Valerie and her sister Courtney just happen to live next door. Will they be able to rescue their neighbors? The Slumber Party Massacre is significant because of its suspenseful story, sense of humor, and sadistic driller killer who is motivated by love.

The viewer learns that a killer is on the loose right at the beginning of the film. In the opening sequence, a paper boy is riding his bicycle and delivering newspapers. The camera shows the front page of the newspaper indicating that a murderer of five people has escaped. When Trish wakes up in the morning, a news report about the killer can be heard from her clock radio. Trish leaves home to go to school, and she places a bag of old toys in the trash can outside. The viewer sees the killer’s hand grab a Barbie doll from the trash can. These early reveals build tension and keep the viewer wondering what will happen next.

Later, the driller killer is seen in plain sight at the high school. Jeff (David Millbern) and Neil (Joe Johnson) are outside talking about which girl to invite to prom. As they are walking, they encounter a telephone repair woman working on the telephone line. Jeff tries to chat her up, but he strikes out. Little do they know the driller killer is lurking inside the telephone repair woman’s van. Just as Jeff and Neil walk away, the driller killer pulls the woman inside the van.

The acting in this film is good. It is better than what you would expect from a low budget film. All of the main actors are invested in the story, and as a result, the viewer cares about the characters. The girls seem genuinely scared when they see the driller killer, and their screams are convincing. This was the first film for actress Brinke Stevens. She portrays Linda, an innocent student who is killed early in the film. She would go on to be a popular scream queen in many other horror films. Coach Jana (Pamela Roylance), the girls basketball coach, is a good supporting character, as is David Contant (Rigg Kennedy), Trish’s caring yet strange neighbor.

Michael Villella gave a strong performance as Russ Thorn, the driller killer. He looks serious with his short hair, black leather boots, blue denim pants and jacket, and red T-shirt. The driller killer is very romantic and he treats the drill as an extension of himself. Unlike the horror film trope in which young people who have sex get killed, Russ Thorn is making love to his victims through the act of murdering them with the drill. He has almost no lines of dialogue until the end of the film. When he finally talks, his voice is creepy. He justifies his actions by saying that he is motivated by love.

As with the acting, the effects are pretty good. They may be primitive, but they do seem realistic. Larry Carr and Rick Lazzarini, the special makeup effects artists, probably had a lot of fun. The effects consist mostly of make-up and the outpouring of blood. However, there are some special appliances for those victims who have had holes drilled in their heads.

The editing of this film is fast paced and fun. Although the film is based on a script by Rita Mae Brown, the story was rewritten by the director, Amy Holden Jones. Prior to The Slumber Party Massacre, Amy was involved with the editing of the film Hollywood Boulevard (1976), which was produced by Roger Corman. Amy incorporates parts of Hollywood Boulevard into The Slumber Party Massacre in a clever intercutting scene in which Valerie is watching Hollywood Boulevard on a television. At one point, a character in Hollywood Boulevard answers a telephone; then there is a cut to Courtney talking on a telephone.

Amy Holden Jones’s brother, Ralph Jones, produced the music for the film. The music is ominous, and it enhances the scare factor of the film.

Low budget horror films produced by Roger Corman are known to have nudity, and this one is no exception. Right from the start, you know what you are in for. Trish bares her breasts while she is changing her clothes to go to school. Later, the girls are nude in the shower after the high school basketball game. Finally, the girls at the slumber party are topless while they change their clothes.

The Blu-ray release from Shout! Factory’s Scream Factory label has excellent picture and sound quality. The disc includes an audio commentary with director Amy Holden Jones, actor Michael Villella, and actress Debra Deliso. It is worth listening to as they discuss many stories about the production of the film. Other bonus features include the “Sleepless Nights” documentary, an interview with Rigg Kennedy, trailers, and a still gallery.

The Slumber Party Massacre is an entertaining horror comedy. It is popular because it is a different take on the slasher film. The tone is satirical, as evidenced by the funny moments. The story is simple, yet effective. It keeps the viewer on the edge of the seat. I won’t ruin it, but you may be surprised to see who survives at the end. You will have to watch and see what you think of the ending.