- Director: Thomas Walton
- Writer: Thomas Walton
- Stars: Jonathan Lipnicki, Michael Paré, Bonnie Aarons
REVIEW
With a title like Camp Pleasant Lake, you know what you’re getting in terms of a horror film. A film that puts you squarely in the territory of Friday the 13th, Sleepaway Camp, The Burning et al albeit with a twist.
Camp Echo Lake (or Camp Pleasant Lake) is being repurposed as a ‘horror camp’ for adults. Essentially, the camp is home to a horrible event from the past, involving the Meadows family, the killing of the parents and the subsequent disappearance of their children and because people are true crime obsessed, a bunch of willing campers are more than happy to pay a vast sum of money to experience it. We get some exposition early on and that’s probably all we need because if you’re even mildly paying attention, you’ll figure out the film within ten minutes.
Of course, a real killer shows up and starts offing people, sometimes in front of other campers who think this is all part of the show. Eventually, you get to the reveal of the killer and the conclusion that had been telegraphed ninety minutes beforehand.
The film does have a surprise or two but unfortunately the story isn’t really compelling enough to make these surprises have an impact. The acting varies wildly from character to character some passable performances and others… not so much. Walton does provide some well framed and composed shots and the film is at its best when it takes on a grimier quality.
Camp Pleasant Lake is an earnest attempt at a slasher film. The film has a nice retro feel to it and for a low budget film there is plenty of practical and good-looking effects, with plenty of blood pouring out of bodies. The film is a touch overlong and with a tighter plot could’ve made more of an impact.
Camp Pleasant Lake is in select cinemas and on VOD February 27, 2024.
– Ryan Morrissey-Smith
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