What scares you the most? What is one fear that you think is completely irrational, yet for some reason you still can’t shake? For me, and man does this sound dumb, my irrational fear would be stopping on hills. The famous San Francisco street that has been prominently featured in the opening credits for Full House is a terrific example of what I’m talking about. My fear is that somehow my brakes will give out on the incline of the hill and cause my death. Another one of those fears would be those log transport trucks, and also the car transporting vehicles as well. I have Final Destination 2 to thank for the latter fears. 

I would think that, even to the smallest degree, I’m not alone in this thought process. We all have fears that don’t entirely make sense to us. It’s proof that horror can be so much more than what we think about it being. It doesn’t have to be merely slashers and supernaturals. Over the years, we’ve seen an increase of films proving that very ideology. Films like Teeth that dared to explore the concept of what would happen if a woman’s vagina had teeth. Films like Killer Sofa or Rubber that explore the notions of furniture with teeth and telepathic tires coming to kill you. These films prove that horror and comedy can co-exist and subsequently produce weird films along the way.

Pants are the next thing that you have to fear. Slaxx takes the concept of films like Killer Sofa, Teeth, and Rubber, and asks the question, “what if pants were hungry and could kill those inside or near them?” It’s an outlandish concept but one that co-writer and director Elza Kephart makes work in this fast paced horror comedy. Slaxx barely scratches the surface of 75 minutes and yet accomplishes more in that time than some films fail to do with a 2 plus hour runtime. Slaxx tells the story of a Candian clothing store company preparing for the launch of a new product. During this madness, the staff must fend off a pair of possessed pants. 

Perhaps one of the best ways we get to explore the culture, and impact, of the company is through the lens of fresh hire Libby, played by Romane Denis. We’re exploring the world through her eyes. She is on the front line of nearly every major event that takes place in Slaxx. Denis is still young in her career as an actress, but nonetheless she is able to make an impression. She is funny and heartfelt. The issue with Slaxx is that no character ever feels developed. Denis is the one arguable exception to that because of everything she sees and endures through the film. The other cast members who round out the staff never rise past the typical horror tropes of characters you will at one point see die. 

It feels like Kephart focused almost exclusively on the horror and comedic elements of the movie that she forgot to include the basic bones of a compelling story. Don’t get me wrong, Slaxx still has plenty to offer, but its audience is a niche one to say the least. The comedy elements of it are very strong. I found myself laughing at the absurdity several times throughout the film. With that absurdity, audiences are treated to some pretty awesome gags with the cast of the movie. Expect some bloody sequences that are extremely fun and help give Slaxx its unique voice. 

Overall, Slaxx is a fun time. Nothing deep nor special but it delivers exactly what it promises. It comes with a heavy emphasis on comedic and horror elements alike. The film briskly moves along its 77 minute run time. There is nothing really that helps the film stand out. The characters lack development and discernible qualities. This causes the film to fall into predictable and tiresome genre tropes that we’ve seen 100 times before - Slaxx fits nicely but is easily forgettable. 

RORSCHACH RATING:

Mental Health Moment: Slaxx is a pretty cut and dried horror comedy. As I mentioned in the review, there isn’t necessarily a lot of depth that comes in this movie. The film tirelessly builds up the humane efforts of this Canadian clothing company. It is revealed later in the movie that company isn’t as noble as they lead others to believe. We live in an age of social media where everyone can brand themselves however they see fit. How much of that is our honest self? I will be honest, it took a lot of bravery to admit those irrational fears that I have at the beginning of this piece. However, I know the power and impact of vulnerability.

I recently had a phone conversation where I had to be vulnerable with someone about some less than desirable feelings I had with said individual. I hate having conversations like that. However, our relationship is now stronger in the longer run because of my transparency. Eventually the brand we create becomes a full time job to maintain and can have a detrimental effect upon our mental health. It should never be even in the equation to consider what others think about us over our own mental health. Dare to be vulnerable.

If you or someone you know is reading this right now and struggling with suicide, depression, addiction, or self-harm - please reach out. Comment, message, or tweet at us. Go to victimsandvillains.net/hope for more resources. Call the suicide lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Text "HELP" to 741-741. There is hope & you DO have so much value and worth! 

Victims and Villains is written (and produced) by Josh "Captain Nostalgia" Burkey and others, and edited by Cam Smith. Music by Mallory Johnson and others. Slaxx is property of Shudder, EMAFilms, and Horror Collective Production. We do not own nor claim any rights.

You can now support us on Patreon. Help us get mental health resources into schools and get exclusive content at the same time. Click here to join today!