Everyone Must Die! (2012)

Director:

Steve Rudzinski

Writers:

Steve Rudzinski
Derek Rothermund

Release Date:

23 September 2012 (USA)

Genre:

Horror

Plot:

When it comes to your town, no one can run, no one can hide, EVERYONE MUST DIE! A pattern of similar killings occurs...

Cast

Nicole Beattie	...	Jenny
Erica Benda	...	Kat
Rebecca Campbell	...	Carol
Dan Christmas	...	Damien
Ben Dietels	...	Will
Seth Gontkovic	...	MC Pink (as Seth Joseph)
Aleen Isley	...	Wanda
Nick LaMantia	...	Kyle
Scott Lewis	...	Detective Jordan
Clifford Lynch	...	Robert J. Mullingler
Stephanie Michael	...	Barbara
Michael Molinaro	...	Doug
Monique Odom	...	Marie
Derek Rothermund	...	John
Steve Rudzinski	...	Pete
Shawn Shelpman	...	Adam
Aaron Wilkinson	...	Winslow
Wendy Wygant	...	Vicki
Zoltan Zilai	...	Guy

Directed by
Steve Rudzinski

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Derek Rothermund
Steve Rudzinski

Produced by
Aaron Wilkinson	....	producer

Original Music by
Carson Mauthe

Cinematography by
Scott Lewis
Derek Rothermund

Film Editing by
Scott Lewis

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Dan Christmas	....	second unit director
Henrique Couto	....	second unit director

Special Effects by
Dakota Reitmire	....	special effects makeup

Distributors

• Dark Mullet Cinema (2012) (USA) (DVD)

Runtime:

71 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Original and Fun Script

This is not a film I'd tell anyone to enjoy. It was definitely made on the cheap (the commentary track said $3500) by an obviously small group of people. More people than I think usually work on low budget stuff, based on all the stuff I've seen, but a small group nonetheless.

Getting the negatives out of the way first, there's some pacing issues in a couple of parts. There's a few jokes that swing and miss. If you're looking for sick gore, this film (while being extremely bloody) doesn't get into too much of the gory chunky bits. Not all of the shots look great and professional. And some may not enjoy how simple the plot can be at times.

Although to me, that last part is great.

This film does an interesting take on the slasher genres for several reasons. One that I liked more than the others was the fact that, albeit one or two exposition scenes that describe the CONCEPT of the killer, we don't get to actually "meet" the killer. We don't know his motivations or why he's doing this. While some would be let down by this, wanting more explanation, I appreciate this angle. Because characters in the movie outright state the obvious point of it, "Who cares? He's outside with a machete!" The motivation and purpose doesn't matter, we really only know as much as the main characters (which isn't much). The script is about them, not the killer.

Which is the other thing I loved about this film. The script is sensational. These guys did a GREAT job writing what I think is a pretty interesting plot filled with really funny characters while turning slasher tropes upside down throughout (in ways I don't want to spoil). There's a lot of characters in this movie but I never felt over whelmed. Not only that but the movie never seemed like it was preaching to me about what characters to hate and which to love. All of the characters, as weird as some were, were all given a great amount of screen time and I was allowed to root for who I wanted to live.

Aside from the two pacing issues (one exposition scene and the 'party' starting a bit too late for me) the movie is a fast, fun roller-coaster of bloodshed. There are plenty of laughs, well written dialog, and plenty of blood. Whenever you feel too much time is passing, they throw in an extra kill out of nowhere. Which was confusing to me only at first until I realized the killer was literally wiping out everyone around the group of kids before getting to them.

This film is not horrific. It's fun and funny. While it does have a few serious dramatic moments, I feel these are heightened by the comedy. There's a real story underneath all the wackiness of a guy who loves eggs (a lot), a serial politician, and strange fetishes; dramatic moments in the midst of this shows why we care. I think a dramatic scene in the middle of comedy holds more ground than a "more dramatic" scene in a "drama." When everything is sad, how does one tell which moment is supposed to be the sad one? Here, you know when you're supposed to stop laughing and care (although the amount it affects people will vary, I know some people will be annoyed by leaving comedy completely even for a few moments).

Everyone Must Die! is a surprise treat I wasn't expecting. If you like low-budget indie stuff, I think this is a good example of what a tiny amount of money can accomplish with the right people working hard on it. I'd give this flick an 8/10, I had a great time with it.