Cocaine Cougar and Zombeavers move over; there’s a new creature feature on the scene, and it’s a killer. I’m talking about Slotherhouse. In this fun flick, a sorority takes in a sloth as a makot, not knowing that it is a psychopath with a taste for blood.
The whole point of the movie, besides entertaining, is poking fun at how truly ridiculous the obsession with social media is, which is hammered home by the constant like counts shown for every character. The whole story is driven by a girl trying to up her likes to become the president of her sorority. To do so, she steals a sloth and makes it the sorority’s mascot.
The Characters:
Directed by Matthew Goodhue, Slotherhouse stars Lisa Ambalavanar, Sydney Craven, Andrew Horton, Bianca Beckles-Rose, Olive Rouyre, and Tiff Steveson as the house mother. All of the characters are stereotypical of horror movies; you’ve got the girl desperate for likes, the devoted boyfriend, the eco-warrior, the token trans friend (I think), the mean girl, and her loyal entourage.
Even the most likable characters are obnoxious, driven by the ever-consuming obsession with likes and peer approval. But I’m pretty sure that was the point. If the flashing of social media numbers doesn’t get on your nerves, you may have a problem. Maybe it’s time to take a social media detox.
Extra Cheese:
Slotherhouse is cheesy but in a good way. It’s so bad that it’s good. Between the silly story, bad lines, blood-drenched action, and over-the-top acting, it’s a wild ride that you will be tweeting about later.
The Killer:
The fact that a slow-moving, harmless creature, like a sloth, turns into the movie’s speedy killer was a nice touch. Between the cheesy lines and kills, this movie entertains. This critter is vicious and has a more human-like mentality than just a creature. It plots and plans. And besides, it’s just so cute.
A Statement:
Other than the message about social media addiction, the movie also makes a statement on the use of exotic pets for entertainment and to drive likes. Odds are you have been scrolling through Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok and have seen videos of people with pet monkeys. Sure, they look cute, but those channels hide horrific animal abuse. The way these animals are trained is callous. Wild animals, even sloths, belong in the wild.
The Verdict:
Slotherhouse isn’t just a bloody good time; it’s a scathing commentary on the dark side of social media, college culture, and the lengths we’ll go for internet fame. It is a slasher like no other. There’s enough action and story to keep you invested while slipping in lessons that need to be learned. Luckily, you don’t have to wait to watch it. It’s now on Digital, streaming on Hulu, and for rent on Apple TV. So, put away your phone and watch it now.