Reviewed by Chris Wright, MoreHorror.com
“The Sleeper” (2012)
Directed By: Justin Russell
Written By: Justin Russell
Starring: Brittany Belland (Amy), E. Ray Goodwin (Det. Drake), Jason Ray Crabtree (The Sleeper), Elizabeth Lane (June), Jenna Fournier (Laura), Riana Ballo (Stacy), Jessica Cameron (Cindy), Tiffany Arnold (Rebecca), Ali Ferda (Ava), Kendra Stevenson (First Sister), Beverly Kristy (Miss Joy), Paul Moon (Bobby), Eric Sarich (Derek), Aaron Russell (Matt Matheson), John Bloom (Dr. Briggs)
I am an avid fan of slasher films as that is one of the first sub genres of horror I got in to when I was younger. Sadly half the time more modern ones do not do a thing for me. I had never heard of “The Sleeper” until I was looking through posts about best slasher films of the 21st century and decided to give this one a try when I saw it was an early 1980s throwback. I am glad I did! I liked it more than I would have expected. Even the opening credits were very 1980s with the subtle and eerie music. Even when it was released, a special VHS/DVD combo edition was released, which is always nostalgic.
The movie takes place in 1981 with the ladies of the Alpha Gamma Theta sorority getting together. All of the pledges are there but are plagued by disturbing phone calls and soon the killer kills his way through each of the pledges. The plot is rather basic and a stereotypical 80s slasher movie. The opening credits and some of it has a very 80s vibe though it has that 21st century polished look. I saw some others complain if they are going to do a throwback movie they should do it right down to the 16 mm film strip. I guess some just can’t be pleased.
The acting is sub par for the most part. There was a good bit of over acting and overreacting but not so much it ruins the movie. Thinking back, are most of the slashers from the late 70s and 80s Emmy nominated for best acting? I think not.
The gore is pretty good coupled with the cinematography. We even get ourselves a severed head scene in “The Sleeper” that was fairly well done all things considered. My favorite kill to be when one of the teens gets her face mashed off . . . literally. It looked like a dark bloody gaping hole!
My only real complaint in this movie is probably that it comes across as a direct sequel to Bob Clark’s “Black Christmas.” The plot is strikingly similar. “Black Christmas” takes place in a sorority house and a killer is making phone calls and seems deranged, which is what happens in “The Sleeper” as well. This would have been a massive turn off if the movie was unbearable to watch with a mock off plot but I took it for what it was and enjoyed it anyway.
This was a fairly enjoyable 80s throwback. It is far from perfect but will be fun for slasher enthusiasts who like the old school formula that worked so well then. It sadly only has a 4 out of 10 on IMDB but I give it 4 out of 5 stars because I like movies like this.