The Final Girls
The Final Girls | |
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Directed by | Todd Strauss-Schulson |
Written by |
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Produced by |
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Starring | |
Cinematography | Elie Smolkin |
Edited by | Debbie Berman |
Music by | Gregory James Jenkins |
Production companies |
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Distributed by | Stage 6 Films |
Release dates |
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Running time | 91 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $4.5 million[1] |
The Final Girls is a 2015 American
The film was originally picked up by
The Final Girls had its world premiere on March 13, 2015 at
Plot
Max Cartwright waits while her actress mother, Amanda, auditions for a film. When she returns, Amanda complains that she'll only be known as scream queen Nancy in the 1986 slasher film Camp Bloodbath, a cult classic. On the way home, the two get into a car accident and Amanda is killed.
Three years later, on the anniversary of her mother's death, Max is studying with her friends Gertie and Chris. Gertie's stepbrother Duncan, a horror film fanatic, shows up and persuades Max to attend a special double-feature showing of Camp Bloodbath 1 and 2. At the screening, Max finds Vicki, Chris' possessive ex-girlfriend and her former best friend, there as well. During the film, the theater is accidentally set ablaze. To get to safety, Max cuts a hole in the screen and the group step through.
Max, Chris, Gertie, Duncan, and Vicki wake up in the woods. They encounter a van with characters from Camp Bloodbath, asking for directions to the camp. The van leaves only to come back every 92 minutes, and the group realize they are in a time loop and have somehow been transported into the movie. When the van comes back once again, the group passes themselves off as new camp counselors and hitch a ride to camp. They let the first couple of murders happen without interference. The movies' antagonist, machete-wielding killer Billy Murphy, spots them but only stares without attacking. Duncan attempts to take a selfie with Billy, only to be stabbed, dispelling the belief that they will be spared for not being movie characters.
The group tries to stop the cast from having sex, as Billy shows up whenever someone does. Chris distracts Kurt, while Max persuades Nancy to stay a virgin. Vicki sticks with Paula, the movie's Final Girl, and Gertie bonds with Blake. When Gertie brings up the topic of Billy, the counselors are alerted to the fact that the "urban legend" of Billy is "real" and will come to kill them. In a panic, the counselors try to flee. Kurt and Paula drive off, but when Duncan emerges still alive, the car hits him and then crashes into a totem pole, killing all three.
Now aware that the characters who originally survived the movie can die, Max and the others decide to save anyone they can. They dress Tina in a life jacket and mittens, to prevent her from undressing. They also decide that Max, the only remaining
The group booby trap the cabin, then Tina lures Billy to them by performing a striptease. Tina panics as Billy gets closer and is killed when a trip wire accidentally sends her headfirst into a bear trap. Blake, Vicki and Gertie are also killed fighting off Billy. Chris, Nancy, and Max flee the cabin, and Billy chases after them. They attempt to escape into a flashback, but Chris is stabbed, and Billy kidnaps Nancy. Max finds her at Billy's barn hideout, and the two women fight him, which results in Max getting stabbed, before they both escape.
After the two retreat to the chapel, Max tells Nancy that in the real world she is Max's mother. Nancy realises that in order for Max to become the true Final Girl, she must sacrifice herself, and the two bid each other a tearful farewell before Nancy lures Billy with a striptease and is killed. Max collapses, but, now the Final Girl, she awakens with the power to kill Billy. They fight and she eventually decapitates him with his own machete. A wounded Chris arrives and the two kiss, while the credits for Camp Bloodbath play in the sky.
Max wakes up to find herself in the hospital, where she is reunited with her friends. The group hears Billy Murphy's approach tune, and realize they are in Camp Bloodbath 2: Cruel Summer. Billy crashes through the glass doors of the hospital as the title appears and Max lunges at Billy.
Cast
- Taissa Farmiga as Max Cartwright
- Malin Åkermanas Nancy / Amanda Cartwright
- Alexander Ludwig as Chris Briggs
- Nina Dobrev as Vicki Summers
- Alia Shawkat as Gertie Michaels
- Thomas Middleditch as Duncan
- Adam DeVine as Kurt
- Angela Trimbur as Tina
- Chloe Bridges as Paula
- Tory N. Thompson as Blake
- Reginald Robinson as Hunky Hiker
- Lauren Gros as Mimi
- Daniel Norris as Billy Murphy
- Eric Carney as Young Billy
- Bryce Romero as Mean Kid
Production
Pre-production
"It's
Purple Rose of Cairofor good measure."
– Director Todd Strauss-Schulson jokingly describing the genre of the film[2]
In February 2014, it was reported that
Casting
It was announced on February 27, 2014, that
Filming
Principal photography was reported to last for 26 days in Baton Rouge and St. Francisville, Louisiana.[13] Production for the film began on April 22, 2014,[14][15] with an estimated budget of $4.5 million.[1] On April 23, 2014, a photo from the set was revealed by one of the cast.[16] Over 200 extras were sought out for large scenes.[13] Principal photography for the film concluded on May 25, 2014.[17] In late October 2014, some of the cast and crew returned for pick-ups and scene re-shoots following a test screening earlier that month.[18]
Post-production
Post-production primarily took place in
Soundtrack
The Final Girls: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack | |
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Soundtrack album by Gregory James Jenkins | |
Released | November 13, 2015 |
Genre | Score |
Length | 57:39[24] |
Label | Varèse Sarabande |
Gregory James Jenkins composed the
The Final Girls: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was released via digital download on November 13, 2015 by Varèse Sarabande, prior to a physical CD release in December.[27] Songs not on the soundtrack but featured in the film include "Dance Hall Days" by Wang Chung, "Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes, "Wild Heart" by Bleachers, "Mickey" by Toni Basil, "Lollipop" by The Chordettes, "Heartbreakers" by The Cold Crush Brothers, "Cherry Pie" by Warrant, and "Cruel Summer" by Bananarama.
Release
The Final Girls had its world premiere on March 13, 2015 at
The film received a
Marketing
The first clip of footage from the film was released on March 13, 2015 exclusively by
Home media
The film was released
As of March 2019[update], the film has made $1.3 million through domestic DVD and Blu-ray sales.[58]
Reception
Critical response
The Final Girls received positive reviews from film critics. On Rotten Tomatoes it has a 74% approval rating based on reviews from 74 critics, with an average rating of 6.29/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "The Final Girls offers an affectionate nod to slasher tropes while adding a surprising layer of genuine emotion to go with the meta amusement."[59] On Metacritic, the film holds a rating of 59 out of 100, based on 13 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[60]
Dennis Harvey of
Laura Kern of
Accolades
Year | Award | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
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2015 | Stanley Film Festival | Audience Award for Feature Film | The Final Girls | Won | [67] |
Toronto International Film Festival | People's Choice Award for Best Midnight Madness Film | Runner-up | [68] | ||
Mile High Horror Film Festival | Audience Award for Best Feature Film | Won | [69] | ||
Sitges Film Festival | Best Motion Picture | Nominated | [70] | ||
Special Jury Award | Won | [71] | |||
Best Screenplay | M.A. Fortin and Joshua John Miller
|
Won | |||
2016 | Fright Meter Awards | Won | [72] | ||
Best Actress in a Leading Role | Taissa Farmiga | Nominated | |||
Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Malin Åkerman
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Nominated | |||
Best Editing | Debbie Berman | Nominated | |||
Best Score | Gregory James Jenkins | Nominated | |||
Best Horror Movie | The Final Girls | Nominated | |||
Fangoria Chainsaw Awards | Best Limited Release Film | Nominated | [73] | ||
Best Screenplay | M.A. Fortin and Joshua John Miller | Nominated | |||
Best Supporting Actress | Malin Åkerman | Nominated |
Possible sequel
In March 2015, at the South by Southwest premiere, screenwriter M.A. Fortin stated that there had been discussions about a potential sequel, and if a second film was to be made, the father of Max would be revealed.[74]
At the
See also
- Final girl (horror trope)
- List of films featuring time loops
References
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