Slapface Review

4 star thought provoking psychological horror.

Slapface is a 2022 American Independent horror film, written and directed by Jeremiah Kipp (Black Badges, Black Wake).  It is a Shudder Original, available to stream now exclusively on Shudder.

“If he goes too far you play a little game of Slapface? It’s not normal.”

Set in the town of Fishkill, New York, we meet Lucas (August Maturo – The Nun, Girl Meets World), a troubled young boy living alone with his older brother Tom (Mike Manning – Son of the South, The Call) following the death of their parents in a car accident.

Tom is well meaning but he has no idea how to raise his brother and unfortunately somewhat takes after their abusive and alcoholic father. For punishment he makes Lucas play Slapface, a game where they take it in turns to hit each other progressively harder, anything other than talk about their issues. The town Sheriff John (Dan Hedaya – Funny Face, The Big Take) tries to look out for them, but he can only do so much.

Lucas is fascinated by a local legend, the Virago Witch (Lukas Hassel – Limitless, The Black Room) who is believed to live in the derelict Wakefield House and haunt the nearby woods. When a dare one day leads him into the building, he finds there a monster, scary but seemingly lonely too.

The pair strike up an unlikely friendship and she is there for him when no-one else is. Tom has a new girlfriend, Anna (Libe Barer – Sneaky Pete, I See You) who is trying to help them, but Lucas feels pushed away. His own girlfriend Moriah (Mirabelle Lee – Blood Ties) hangs around with twins Donna (Bianca D’Ambrosio – I am Mortal, Call Jane) and Rose (Chiara D’Ambrosio – Fear of Rain) and all three of them bully him mercilessly when they are together.

Lucas seeks solace with the monster, but what are this creatures real intentions and where will this strange friendship lead?

“Hey Lucas, why don’t you go drink a nice tall glass of go f**k yourself, you little s**t.”

Slapface is a really well put together film, a great example of less being more. Obviously low budget, the excellent cinematography makes the simplest of locations seem creepy, a open woodland, a large derelict building, even a small run down house.

The acting is also brilliant, August Maturo brings his role to life and you really do feel for him and his attempts to make sense of his world. This film takes an unashamed look at the issues of domestic violence and bullying and the ending, although ambiguous, is pretty clear in it’s implications.

Beautifully filmed, well written and gripping right to the end, this is well worth a watch.

“These have got it wrong. She doesn’t eat up the bad kids, she’s their friend…”

Slapface is available to stream now exclusively on Shudder.