Stage Fright (2014)

Directed by Jerome Sable [Other horror films: ABCs of Death 2 (2014, segment ‘V is for Vacation’)]

I’ve seen Stage Fright twice now, and while I wish I liked this horror-musical more, I ultimately find it far more generic and disappointing than anything.

The cast is fine. Douglas Smith didn’t get as much characterization as I would have liked, but Allie MacDonald was pretty decent. Meat Loaf was just okay, and Brandon Uranowitz did well with a really terrible character. And don’t get me started on Melanie Leishman’s character, who I hated with a passion.

Only two songs are really worth listening to on repeat, being the opening ‘Where We Belong’ and ‘The Show Must Go On,’ which is disappointing as there was certainly room for more catchy songs throughout the film. I don’t particularly love Repo! The Genetic Opera, but in terms of songs, that blows Stage Fright out of the water.

Related, not many of the kills did that much for me, and in fact, off the top of my head, though I watched this for the second time not that long ago, I’m failing to remember any kills that stuck with me. Maybe in the moment, some of the kills are solid, but this isn’t some new-age slasher classic whatsoever.

A musical-slasher sounds like it would be so fun, and it really could be if handled differently, but as sleek as Stage Fright looks, it doesn’t really deliver near as many catchy songs or bloody deaths as you might hope, and ultimately, while it’s okay for a single watch, I wouldn’t really go back to this one a third time.

6/10

As this was covered on Fight Evil’s podcast, you can listen to Chucky (@ChuckyFE) and I discuss it here.