Taken from a short film, filmmaker Jeremiah Kipp weaves tales about the symptoms and repercussions of abuse and bullying. “Slapface” trudges around in a similar vein to films like Midsommar and Hereditary but without the poetic nuance of more experienced directorial films. The storyline portrays a young boy and his brother forced to face the elements in the absence of parental guidance. Lucas and his older brother Tom have a relationship that is shown from the onset as a volatile one. In the opening scenes, Tom is shown instigating a game he likes to play with his younger sibling. Slap Face is exactly that.
The Slapface movie hones in on a fairytale mentality. There is a monster in the forest and no one can see her except for Lucas. Lucas grieves his mother and, battles with his coming-of-age situation. On the flip side, his brother Tom tries to raise a child while also navigating his demons. It’s clear he desires to simply normalize his life, but no one has shown him how. Left to his own devices, Lucas is bullied horrendously by two twins who are constantly on the lookout for the best ways to make this young boy feel bad.
SlapFace Explained
In a cruel twist of fate, the twins, Anna and Rose, found themselves in a perplexing situation when another girl joined their mean-girl squad. This new addition, let’s call her Sarah, felt compelled to stick with them despite not having any other options. It seemed as though Sarah was drawn to the group out of a sense of necessity rather than genuine friendship.
As the dynamics within the squad evolved, Moriah, one of Anna and Rose’s closest friends, experienced conflicting emotions. Her heart fluttered when she got to know Lucas, a kind-hearted and charming boy. However, bound by an unspoken loyalty to her mean-girl friends, Moriah found it challenging to defend Lucas or prioritize her interest in him.
The complex web of emotions and loyalties that entangled these young children serves as a poignant reminder of the cruelty that can exist within social circles. It highlights the delicate balance between genuine connections and the desire to belong, even if it means compromising personal values or hurting others. Unfortunately, the dynamics of friendship can sometimes bring out the worst in people, particularly when fueled by insecurity or a fear of being rejected. It is a painful reality, especially for those who find themselves caught in the middle, torn between loyalty and personal happiness.
The story of Anna, Rose, Moriah, and Lucas serves as a powerful reflection on the complexities and challenges that children may face while navigating friendships. It also presents an opportunity for us to remember the importance of empathy and understanding, teaching our young ones the value of genuine connections and the devastating consequences of cruelty.
SlapFace is Not Just An Emoji, It’s a Game
What the Slapface film does well comes in the form of managing real-world problems for young people. There is a definitive “kick in the guts” mentality throughout the whole storyline. It’s not hard to justify why someone like Lucas would find solace in a monster that lurks in the woods. Lucas is alone, and this monster represents everything he remembers about his mother. She protects him, nurtures him, and stays with him when no one else will.
Similarly, what the film does that is a little disappointing comes in the form of the monster itself. While it’s easy to see where this creepy mirage witch-like lady comes from, the separation between what’s real and what is not is only evident in the third quarter. When the people that surround young Lucas begin turning up dead, a policeman investigating the case alludes to some prior behavioral problems. Aside from this, however, when some of the murders are taking place, there are some obvious errors in the portrayal of where Lucas is and some of the killings could have been executed. Quite simply, you can’t be in two places at once.
Despite this minor accountability issue, Slapface is undeniably a solid horror and thriller movie that truly offers more than meets the eye. The performances from the key cast, particularly the younger actors, are exceptionally captivating. Watching August Maturo’s portrayal of Lucas is truly a delightful experience, as he effortlessly shines in every scene.
Slapface movie is rated
3.5 bullied teens out of 5
Any Good Films website spoke to both Mike Manning and August Maturo about the film, check out their review and video clip here.
A Shudder Original, Slap Face is On the Horror Platform for Dark Movie Lovers
- Slapface was released on the Shudder streaming platform on 3rd February 2022.
- Slapface cast includes August Maturo, Mike Manning, Libe Barer, Mirabelle Lee, Chiara D’Ambrosio, and Bianca D’Ambrosio.
- The Slap Face movie was acquired as a screener.
