Loneliness can kill, and that’s probably why it’s so often used as a theme in horror films. Shudder’s Slapface is an incredibly effective chiller that brilliantly portrays isolation — but it might be too bleak of a story for its own good.
Written and directed by Jerimiah Kipp, Slapface tells the story of a young boy named Lucas (August Maturo) whose mother recently died. He resides in an old house deep in the woods with his older brother, Tom (Mike Manning), who makes him play an abusive game called slapface. Lucas’ only “friends” are a group of girls who bully him. One day, on a dare by his bullies, Lucas enters an abandoned building and encounters a ghoulish figure. Although frightened by it, Lucas begins a terrifying friendship with the being that leads to tragic chaos.
Slapface proves to be a unique tale in an age where horror movies are often rehashes of things we’ve seen before. Slapface relies heavily on character and story rather than jump scares or empty exposition. The film explores Lucas’ toxic dynamic with his brother, Tom, and what happens when he doesn’t care for his brother the way a guardian should.
The film’s monster works as a metaphor for Lucas’ growing disdain for his life. The idea of escaping into something or someone to cope with life — even if it only ends up creating bigger problems — is a relatable conflict. Centering Slapface around this idea is highly effective. The film also seamlessly blends fact with fiction, with an ending that makes the audience question everything they just saw without feeling too on the nose.
Slapface‘s performances are a strong point, especially from the two leads. Maturo commands in his leading role, letting the audience in on this tortured soul he is portraying. It’s a subtly nuanced performance that still packs a punch, especially from a young actor. However, Manning steals the show with his tragic turn as Tom. As unhinged and mentally unstable as Tom is, Manning draws compassion for the character by applying such depth and heart to the emotionally scarred man. Tom must raise a traumatized pre-teen when he still feels like a child. Manning impressively conveys a scared little boy putting on the role of a responsible adult, making him an actor to watch for in future films.
While Slapface delivers a tense atmosphere and is an effective and memorable horror film with strong performances, the movie is a “feel-bad experience” for its entire runtime. Slapface‘s focus is always on these two brothers who are about to lose the tiniest sense of family they have left. The film’s brooding atmosphere seeps through the screen, making it easy for a viewer to feel anxiety-ridden. Even though the unpleasant vibe the movie gives off helps solidify its gothic atmosphere, it sometimes goes too far. Its tragedy sometimes feels exploitive. Despite some over-the-top bleakness, Slapface is a twisted fairy tale that is as heart-wrenching as frightening.
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