jessikanc86 I think because it's a cult classic and have heard so much hype about it before watching I expected It to be better then what it was. I found it to be kinda predictable but overall I guess u could say the ended was a head of its time if u know what I mean.. lol

framptonhollis 'Sleepaway Camp' is a film that is weird from the very start. The opening scene is pretty bad to be honest, the acting is so ridiculously week and there's this generally schlocky feeling throughout it. Then, in the very next scene, we get this bizarre encounter with a beyond-eccentric mother character performed by a lady who acts as if she's in a John Waters movie. Then, as the film goes on, we've got blatantly pedophiliac chefs, both comically and uncomfortably lengthy shots holding on the aftermath of the slasher killings, noticeable homoeroticism, seeming social commentary, a perverted old camp councilor who's shamelessly greedy, and just a general build up of events that is super discomforting. It's super funny, too, in a way, sometimes intentionally, sometimes possibly unintentionally, but I honestly don't even know. The movie is described as "original" by many solely because of its twist, which is extremely unique and affecting (especially how it is shown and presented and hinted at throughout the film; plus, the final image is genuinely unsettling and will likely haunt my mind for years to come), but throughout there's just so much weird things going on that I think it really is one of the most unique slasher films ever made. The constant commentary on sexuality, the surreal humour, and the abundance of bizarre pauses/stretches of just horrible screaming coming from the victims help make the whole film an original work of horror cinema and just generally disturbing to me. In its final moments, it isn't perfectly done, and the gore effects are kind of cheap and simple, but it depicts some things that are just so brutal and difficult to digest, and, in the end, it is super tragic and depressing. It's hard for me to exactly say what I can really think of this film, it seriously makes me want to look into it and whatever its intentions may be. There are really campy moments throughout and a lot of what seems to be very intentional black comedy and there are a few scenes that just go all out and nearly approach some kind of surreal or dreamlike quality that's tough to pin down, and there are these odd sequences of what feels like shameless filler, and then it just punches you in the face with a heartbreaking and horrifying final scene and then that's it. One thing is for certain, this was an extremely entertaining film to watch throughout, and it did have a serious impact on me despite its numerous flaws.

Sam Panico Let's take a trip back to 1975, when John Baker and his boyfriend Lenny took John's kids on a boating trip. Those kids are madcap scamps that capsize their dad's boat for fun. But on the swim back to shore, a waterskier kills John and his son Peter, leaving Angela traumatized.Eight years later, Angela is living with her weird aunt Dr. Martha Thomas (who would be able to unite Superman and Batman, based on her first name), along with her cousin Ricky. They go to Camp Arawak for the summer. As someone who has never been to summer camp, nor ever wanted to go, I fail to see the fun that places like this promise.Angela gets bullied at every turn, even when the counselors try to help her. And to top it off, the head cook even tries to rape her. Sure, he's soon scalded by hot water. But it seems odd how many people have it in for this little girl. I guess the good news is that everyone that screws with her dies horribly - if that can be good news. Like Kenny, a kid that mocks her. She also finally gets a friend, Paul, who has the hots for her.As Paul and Angela attend a movie at the camp, two of the boys throw water balloons at them. Billy, one of the throwers, is soon killed by bees. At this point, Mel, the owner, starts to realize that maybe there's a killer in the camp.Paul tries to kiss Angela, but she has a flashback to catching her father in bed with Lenny. Oh no! And it gets worse, as Judy - one of the worst behaved girls - kisses Paul and then throws Angela into the water. Ricky saves her, only for a bunch of kids to throw sand in her face! Will the torment ever end?The film then descends into slasher film madness. Meg, a counselor who is sleeping with the owner of the camp, a man nearly fifty years or more her senior, is killed in the shower. The kids who threw sand at Angela? Nearly all of them are dispensed of with a hatchet. And the evil Judy? She's raped with a hot curling iron (!) and smothered with a pillow, which feels like the roughest and softest kill ever. And finally, the owner of the camp blames Ricky and attacks him, only for the real killer to shoot him with an arrow.The police come to investigate the murders while Paul and Angela decide to go skinny dipping. Two of the counselors find them and we learn that she has decapitated Paul and jumps up, fully nude and fully a dude, making a hissing sound and looking like a complete maniac. The truth? Angela is really Peter, the boy we thought died in the opening. Dr. Martha had raised him as the daughter she never got to have..It's funny. In the early 80's, so many people bemoaned how many slashers were playing in theaters and drive-ins. But today, we're lucky to get a horror film into theaters. And truly odd films, like Sleepaway Camp, go direct to streaming or DVD. Let's face it - none of today's films are as goofy as this either. And by goofy, I don't mean the SyFy or Troma movies that are made to be dumb. No, this is a film that appears to be an attempt at a legitimate, serious film that ends up being something wonderful crazy. It's filled with ridiculous dialogue, over the top murders and that ending!

Predrag At first glance, "Sleepaway Camp" appears to be just another entry from the glut of early 80's low budget slasher flicks. And in most respects, "Sleepaway Camp' fits the bill: borderline acting, poor production values, mostly stock one-dimensional teen characters, a summer camp setting, and a mysterious killer who never seems to make a mistake when dispatching unsuspecting victims in elaborate and gruesome methods. Those points aside however, "Sleepaway Camp" is probably the most originally perverse slasher film ever. The whole unsettling framework of "Sleepaway Camp" is supported by themes of homosexuality, pedophilia, sexual identity issues, and the slaughtering of very young teenage, and in some cases, preteen victims. Of course, one cannot evaluate "Sleepaway Camp" without mentioning the shocking twist ending, which has garnered the film a rabid cult following. In fact, along with a very nice performance from newcomer Felissa Rose and some truly quirky characters (Aunt Martha anyone ?!?), the ending of "Sleepaway Camp" is enough in itself to recommend at least one viewing for genre fans. The majority of "Sleepaway Camp" is painfully by the numbers, but the ending is quite surprising and more than a little disturbing. Most of the cast don't make any particular impression on me. But Felissa Rose is priceless. Her mere presence elevates the film. There are times when she can seem so menacing, and mysterious. Other times, she comes across as so forlorn and vulnerable.(her body language conveys an epic lack of enthusiasm for summer camp). Then, out of the blue, she manifests this quirky, adorable charm("Burt Reynolds!"). Those moments really stand out in such a dark, perverse movie. This charm, and underlying warmth, are one other factor that remind me of "Carrie". You get a little brief insight into what this kid might have been if so many people had not been so cruel and abusive towards her. It does come out of left field and takes you by surprise. It's quite nasty and a little disturbing. You'll think about it after the movie is over, filling in the loop holes with the answer given at the end. I recommend this film mainly for the ending. Overall rating: 8 out of 10.