Watch Slaughterhouse Rock

Set in San Francisco, the horror film Slaughterhouse Rock, directed by Dimitri Logothetis, is a terrifying 80s classic that follows a group of friends who stumble upon a cursed island with a sinister past. Starring Toni Basil, Nicholas Celozzi, and Tom Reilly, the movie is a gruesome and suspenseful tale that combines horror, mythology, and rock 'n' roll.

The film begins by introducing us to our protagonist, Alex (Nicholas Celozzi). Alex is a rebellious teenager who spends most of his days listening to heavy metal and playing the guitar. His life takes a drastic turn when he starts having disturbing hallucinations of a demon-like figure who haunts his dreams. Fearing for his safety, his sister Richard (Toni Basil) takes him to see a psychiatrist, Dr. Ziegler (Donna Denton), who diagnoses him with schizophrenia and prescribes him medication.

One day, while Alex and his friends are exploring the abandoned Alcatraz prison, they come across a strange artifact that resembles a bone flute. Little do they know, the artifact is a cursed pipe that belonged to a Native American shaman who died on the island, and it has the power to summon the demon from Alex’s nightmares. Soon after, Alex’s friends start to inexplicably die, one by one, and Alex is convinced that the demon from his dreams is responsible.

Desperate to save his friends and defeat the demon, Alex seeks the help of his mentor, a rock ‘n’ roll musician named Marty (Tom Reilly), who tells him about the island’s dark past. The island is said to have been a place of human sacrifice, where Native American tribes would perform gruesome rituals to appease the gods. The island was eventually shut down and turned into a prison, but the spirits of the dead remained trapped within.

Together, Alex and Marty journey to the island to uncover the truth behind the curse and stop the demon from wreaking havoc on the living. They face numerous challenges and obstacles along the way, including the malevolent spirits that haunt the island and a confrontation with the demon itself.

The story is well-paced and full of suspenseful moments that keep the audience at the edge of their seats. The acting is also noteworthy, especially Nicholas Celozzi, who delivers a convincing performance as the troubled and determined Alex. Toni Basil and Tom Reilly also bring a level of depth and charisma to their respective roles, making them stand out among the ensemble cast.

One of the film’s highlights is its use of music. As its title implies, Slaughterhouse Rock is heavily influenced by rock ‘n’ roll music, and the movie features an impressive soundtrack that includes songs by popular bands from the 80s such as Devo, Martha Davis, and SSQ. The music not only enhances the film’s eerie and atmospheric tone, but it also adds to the character of Marty, who’s portrayed as a wise and seasoned musician.

Overall, Slaughterhouse Rock is a thrilling horror movie that checks all the boxes of classic horror films – it has a compelling plot, a diverse cast, and a unique setting that adds to its overall appeal. While some of its special effects might seem dated by today’s standards, the film still holds up as an iconic 80s horror flick that fans of the genre will enjoy.

Slaughterhouse Rock is a 1988 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.4.