The horrors of this film run much deeper than the plotline – from the original mom-style cutoffs to truly bad acting to cigar smoking in the camp kitchen, there is jaw-dropping terror at every turn. One of my favorite touches was the aunt/mother who is the doppelganger of the child catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. When it comes to the actual story, practical effects and despicable characters unite for a gruesome, while often comical, cult classic. We have pedophiles, bullies, racists, misogynists – who wouldn’t want to burn this camp to the ground?! Despite plenty of suspects, the reveal is pretty fabulous. Oh, and keep your eyes peeled for footage from a Frightday baseball game this summer – Sam and Byron will both be wearing Fünke-style jean shorts, cut-off belly shirts, & tube socks.
