Return to Horror High is a 1987 American horror-comedy film that combines elements of slasher horror with satirical humour. Directed by Bill Froehlich and produced by Mark Lisson, the movie was part of the 1980s wave of slasher films, but it distinguished itself by incorporating a meta-narrative, poking fun at the genre’s conventions. While it wasn’t a massive box office hit, Return to Horror High has garnered a cult following over the years, especially for its unique approach to horror and its ensemble cast, which includes a young George Clooney.
The movie features amongst others, Alex Rocco as Harry Sleerik the sleazy and manipulative film producer who will stop at nothing to ensure his movie is a success; Lori Lethin as Callie Cassidy, the film’s leading lady who plays dual roles—both as an actress in the movie within the movie and as a final girl figure in the real-life horror unfolding around her; George Clooney as Oliver: a young actor playing a small role in the movie within the movie, and Maureen McCormick as Officer Tyler: A bubbly and somewhat clueless police officer.
The film opens with a film crew arriving at the abandoned Crippen High School, a site of gruesome murders that occurred years earlier. The crew is there to shoot a low-budget horror film based on the real-life events that took place at the school. As they begin filming, they quickly find themselves entangled in a series of bizarre and deadly events that blur the line between fiction and reality.
The narrative unfolds through a mix of present-day scenes and flashbacks, creating a layered story that keeps the audience guessing. As the body count rises, it’s unclear whether the deaths are part of the movie being filmed or if someone, or something, is re-enacting the original murders. The story’s climax reveals that the film’s producer, Harry Sleerik, has orchestrated a real killing spree to enhance the publicity of the movie but is there more to it?
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Brett Summers
Brett founded CultFaction.com in 2014 a website and podcast that deals with cult film and tv. He also has a strong interest in grappling martial arts both as a practitioner and as a historian.
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