Sleepaway Camp (1983)

There is nothing like sitting back and catching a classic from my youth. Having grown up in the 1980s, there are plenty of movies and genres to choose from. Of course, nothing truly compares to the slasher film, and the way they made you think twice about camp. One of the most memorable films of that genre is the 1983 cult classic Sleepaway Camp.

Plot/ After a horrible boating accident kills her family, Angela, a shy and sullen young girl, moves in with her eccentric aunt Martha, alongside her protective cousin Ricky. One summer, Martha sends the kids to Camp Arawak. Soon after their arrival, a series of bizarre and increasingly violent accidents begins to claim the lives of various campers.

There is nothing like the slasher craze of the 1980s, and Sleepaway Camp is a must see for fans of the low budget 80s slasher. While not the best movie out there, it is a great example of what made the era of big boxes VHS so fun. This one offers very little gore, a somewhat predictable storyline, and a ton of dated costuming and dialog, but those flaws are easily forgettable with the twist ending that made this one a cult favorite. There are some interesting kills and although some of the performances are uneven, it does capture the 80s in all its glory (it definitely takes me back to my youth). In the end, this movie may not reach the level of the classics from the Friday the 13th franchise, but the ending alone makes it a film that should be listed in slasher canon. If you have not seen it, give it a shot!