This David Arquette directed (he also wrote the screenplay, produced and co-stars here) horror comedy has finally been released in the UK and it’s a surprisingly enjoyable slasher romp.
The film follows a group of hippies on their way to an outdoor music festival who find themselves being stalked by a Ronald Reagan obsessed psycho with an axe to grind.
Despite it’s opening quote from Reagan himself and a montage of real-life footage of dead bodies, devastation and destruction caused by war, the film manages to get it’s point across without force feeding audiences with the political views of it’s writer/director.
Benefiting greatly from a very talented, recognised and respected cast The Tripper is obviously a labour of love for Arquette and co. as the film really is a polished piece. The characters are fun and the actors obviously had fun with the material, it’s technically competent and then some and the excessive gore is a welcome addition too. I also really liked the locations, score and the cinematography.
OVERALL SUMMARY
The Tripper was quite different to the majority of the horror movies I’ve seen lately and for that very reason alone was a very welcome watch in today’s over saturated remake climate. It may play on 70s and 80s horror formulae but it does so refreshingly.