No matter how many “camp killer” movies come out, we will always be interested. They’re as American as apple pie and baseball, and summertime (or any time if you’re a horror fan) just isn’t complete without seeing one. So when we got the chance to see Camp Twilight, we got real excited.
Starring scream queen Felissa Rose alongside Dave Sheridan, Vernon Wells, and Linnea Quigley, Camp Twilight takes a group of highschoolers in danger of not graduating on a camping trip for extra credit. What they don’t know is that a string of disappearances has started up again at the local park, and those rumors become all too real for the school group. Will the coeds survive long enough to see graduation, or will they be added to the number of dead claimed by the mysterious park killer?
Right off the bat I’ll say not to expect Oscar-level acting, effects, or cinematography here; don’t let that dissuade you though, because you’re still in for an experience. Camp Twilight starts off with a couple getting hot-and-heavy interlaced with footage from a local news segment. As the couple gets more action (i.e., earns their TV-MA rating with some waist-up nudity), the news anchor questions a Florida State Department of Health official and Park Director on the safety of a local park — one where a series of murders happened years prior. Then, they appear: a black sweatsuit-clad assailant that attacks the couple and sets the tone for the rest of the film. From there, we meet the 6 students and teachers that join park rangers in a weekend of teen fights and frights.
While the majority of the acting is not the best, there are certainly fabulous performances, namely by Felissa Rose and Dave Sheridan. Rose is the teacher, Jessica Bloom, who is incredibly excited about camping and hanging out with the kids. Her actions felt totally genuine, which is hilarious considering she’s starred in many other camp movies where her character is in danger of getting killed. Sheridan (playing Ranger Bob) is a delight as well. Ranger Bob is privy to something fishy going on at the park from the beginning, but his comic relief-ness takes over when he references conspiracy theories and aliens. His line delivery is absolutely perfect too, and a welcome distraction from others’ sometimes stiff dialog.
You better get woke, alright? You ever hear that phrase? You better get woke real soon on that!
Ranger Bob, Camp Twilight
Kills are a huge part of summer camp slashers, naturally. Camp Twilight doesn’t skimp out fortunately, with hits such as: “ax to the head,” “banged against a car,” and “surprise stabbing from behind.” There is blood, but it’s not an overall gore-fest; it’s just enough to get your fix without being overdone. I also loved little Easter eggs here and there. For example, the students’ last names are famous horror characters and celebrities: Baker, Loomis, Palmer, King, Thompson, and Wynn.
And then of course, is the ending. While we’re not going to get into spoilers, there is a twist — actually, what could be considered a sort of double twist. You could spend the whole movie with 1-2 suspects for the killer and probably be correct, but you’d never guess what would come out of that. The reasoning behind the killings is definitely over the top and a bit unnecessary (or even too weird to be possible), but that kind of works in its favor; it keeps you guessing and makes a lasting impression, one that you’ll remember based on pure zaniness.
Camp Twilight offers a familiar plot with characters we love and little twists and turns that give it more oomph than your average summer camp slasher flick. It may come off as somewhat amateur, but those quaint characteristics certainly add to its charm.
Give it a watch, or miss out on that summertime fun. Camp Twilight is available now on InDemand, DirecTV, FlixFling, Vudu, At&T, and Fandango.
