“Lowlifes” is a horror movie directed by Tesh Guttikonda and Mitch Oliver. It stars Amanda Fix, Matthew MacCaull, Brenna Llewellyn, Elyse Levesque and Josh Zaharia.
“Lowlifes” is not the first of its kind, nor has it been created to revolutionize the history of cinema. This film is acutely self-aware, consciously part of its own genre, and offers us a whimsically macabre form of entertainment. It cleverly references numerous horror films, providing a kind of meticulously crafted homage to “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” (1974) – only with a twist.
Challenging the conventional slasher film narrative, it presents us with another slasher film. Yet, it successfully elicits plenty of smiles with its dark, very dark, humor.
Plot
A family from Los Angeles crosses paths with some “very bad” boys in a remote town in the United States. Initially, the family members are terrified, but we soon find out the “bad guys” are not who we were led to believe. As it turns out, the urban family is far more dangerous than they initially seem.
About the Film
Well-shot, well-made, and amusing, the film is filled with nods to other movies. It’s entirely aware of the essence of a slasher film and knows how to turn it on its head.
“Lowlifes”, with its self-mocking humor, takes aim at the horror genre and B-list movies. The classic narrative of a city family lost in a hostile environment, only to be pursued by the locals, is reversed. Instead, the city family displays rather barbaric habits, making the film amusing from the outset.
“Lowlifes” recognizes that the audience is familiar with all the tricks of the genre. Thus, it manages to provide a fun film experience without resorting to parody, while remaining quintessentially a horror film. It plays constantly with our expectations, flipping the script in entertaining ways.
However, be prepared for what awaits. The film features cannibalism and other brutalities treated with a light, hilarious touch.
“Lowlifes” is also very well-executed. It boasts good editing, cinematography, and a coherent script. It is not your typical B-list movie made by a group of friends; a team of professionals has worked on this, offering
quality entertainment, delivered with technical excellence and a deep understanding of movie-making craft.
Our Opinion
A great and entertaining horror film, “Lowlifes” is the best way for fans of the genre to have fun while watching a parody of B-list movies. And yes, it delivers quality.
The Cast
