As far back as I can remember, I’ve always had a fascination with slasher films. My entry into the genre began in 1995 with an elite Halloween night double feature of John Carpenter’s Halloween and its sequel Halloween II. Since then, I’ve gravitated toward horror, especially the slasher genre. Understanding the subgenre in its purest form as a fun escapism into the grotesque and the one-upmanship of slice and dice, it’s always an adventure when a new discovery within the genre arrives.
While the genre isn’t as consistently present as it was in the 1980s, now and then, a gem appears that breathes new life into the slasher film. That gem came in the form of 2016’s Terrifier, and since then, I’ve been engrossed by the work of the team behind it. So when it was announced that Terrifier 2 producer and exterminator #2 from Terrifier, Michael Leavy, would be helming his own slasher, Stream, I was eager to see the final result. Stream evokes the spirit of ’80s horror with delightfully fun kills that will quench the thirst of gore-hounds and resonate with horror enthusiasts.
Cinephiles enter the world of Stream with the grand reopening of the Pines Resort. Coinciding with this event is a game that’s about to be played, turning the Pines Resort into a catacomb of blood and guts. The arriving guests are blissfully unaware of the slaughterhouse they’re about to experience.
Written by Michael Leavy, Robert Privitera, Jason Leavy, and Steven Della Salla, Stream’s screenplay doesn’t aim to reinvent the wheel or present a new take on the subgenre. Its goal is simple: entertain its target audience—the horror community—and pay tribute to the horror of yesteryear. There’s no rich backstory about the origins of the game or its players, who are defined more by their appearances than their depth (except for one standout character, Player 2—you’ll know it when you see it). The screenplay also suffers from clichéd dialogue, which seldom leads to any emotional depth or investment in the characters’ survival.
Where the screenplay shines is in its ability to inject kinetic energy into the film that never lets up once the slicing and dicing begins. While the film overextends itself with a 2+ hour runtime, I can’t deny that I was unabashedly entertained by this horror house. I found myself pointing at the screen in the most Leonardo DiCaprio in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood fashion whenever a horror icon from the past appeared.
With appearances from the likes of Danielle Harris, Jeffrey Combs, Felissa Rose, Dee Wallace, Tony Todd, Bill Moseley, Tim Reid, and the legendary Tim Curry, it’s impossible not to be taken aback by these horror icons all in one film. It’s as though Michael Leavy channeled the spirit of ’80s and ’90s horror and created his own Avengers Assemble moment.
Unfortunately for Stream, my investment in its characters ended there. I could care less about the main players, as the film commits a horror mortal sin: having a final girl who echoes the forgettable Sara from Halloween: Resurrection, one of the worst characters in the genre.
Cinephiles won’t be coming to Stream for a character-driven narrative, but for its effects and horror. In that area, it excels. Terrifier director Damien Leone handles the makeup and effects, channeling the outlandish spirit of Terrifier with innovative ways to play tic-tac-toe and an eye-popping finale.
Ultimately, Stream’s success lies in understanding its assignment and delivering an entertaining, gore-drenched experience. Much like Terrifier 2, if a sequel does arrive, my only desire is for an expansion on the lore and a deeper exploration of its players and target audience. That could lay the foundation for a uniquely different cinematic experience.
