THE FINAL GIRLS
US, 2014, 88 minutes, Colour.
Taissa Farmiga, Malin Akerman, Alexander Ludwig, Nina Dobrev, Alia Shawkat, Thomas Middleditch, Adam De Vine, Angela Trimbur, Chloe Bridges, Tory N.Thompson.
Directed by Todd Strauss- Schulson.
Those who enjoy horror films but, especially, parodies of horror films, will enjoy this one is very much. It has its cake and eats it is well with its various scenes from an alleged 1980s film, Camp Bloodbath, and scenes of 21st-century characters entering into the action of this film – and desperately trying to get out of it.
The film starts with a focus on the mother and daughter, Malin Akerman and Taissa Farmiga (younger sister of Vera Farmiga). The mother is wanting to revive her career having been a star in Camp Bloodbath and remembered for that. Then there is a car accident.
A couple of years later, Max and her friends go to a screening of Camp Bloodbath, Max having to look at her mother again on screen. When a fire breaks out, she and her friends escape through slitting the screen and find themselves in the action of the original film. There is a lot of posturing and posing, permissive talk, reminding audiences of the Friday the 13th series. The contemporary group interact with the actors, especially knowing what was to happen, and trying to escape the killer, a masked killer – with monochrome flashbacks explaining why he was a killer.
The film builds up some suspense but there is always the tongue-in-cheek approach to everything – although the scenes with Max and the character her mother is playing have quite some pathos.
1. 21st century version and parody of 1980s teen bloodbath movies? Having its cake and eating it?
2. The atmosphere of the 21st century, teens and young adults, friendships, family, studies, relationships? The contrast with the youngsters of the 1980s, focus on sex, promiscuity, good times? Duncan and the cruder aspects of the present? Comparisons with Kurt and the others from the film?
3. 2014, average America? The contrast with the camp, behaviour in 1980s? And the flash back to 1957?
4. The background of Camp Bloodbath and its sequel, the sequences, the characters, arriving at the camp, setting up, the individuals, the posing and postures of the time? The role of councillors? The style of performance, the visuals, camera work? Greenie photography? The monochrome flashbacks to the youngsters of 1957, the tormenting of Billy Murphy, the outhouse, the fireworks, hospital and his disfigurement?
5. The debt to Friday the 13th and its many sequels? The masked killer and his motivations? The violence of the deaths – and tone down for the 21st century?
6. Max, her age, love for her mother, sharing together? The mother, starring in Camp Bloodbath, her reputation, auditioning the jobs and failing? Throwing the publicity out of the car window? Bonding with a daughter? The crash and her death?
7. The effect on Max, her character, quiet, well-behaved? Her relationship with the other girls, with Chris and with Duncan? Her agreement to go to the screening of Camp Bloodbath, the crowd, the clips, people text in, yet knowing the dialogue?
8. The cigarette ash, the fire, spread, panic, Max leaving, rescuing her friends, cutting through the screen?
9. The humour of arriving in the middle of the film? The 92 minutes passing? The van and the requests, Nancy in the back? The impact on the group, knowing the film? Wanting to get out? Going in the van, the setup? The characters, their behaviour, Kurt and his crassness, Tina and her sexy talk and behaviour? Nancy and her being retiring?
10. The group bonding with the characters, accompanying each, the warnings?
11. Billy Murphy, Duncan and his showing off, the attack and his death?
12. The 21st century group, listening to the commentary, going back to 1957, the experience, Billy Murphy, the return to 1986? Being prepared for the attack? Tina and taking the drugs and being confrontational? The various plans to destroy Billy, the arrows, fire, the oil…?
13. Billy’s attack, the defence as planned, on the Dears pawns, but still alive, the pursuit? The chest of drawers crushing the girls? Chris, Nancy and Max escaping, Chris being wounded?
14. Nancy, the conversations with Max, her ambitions to be a loving mother? Her being the final girl, taken by Billy? The final confrontation? Her death? Max, the fight with Billie, the sword?
15. Dealing with the credits coming up and escaping?
16. Finding themselves in hospital, reflecting on the experience? The importance Max, Nancy and her mother, the advice to let her mother go?
