Common Sense Media Review
By Jose Solis
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Horror-comedy has gruesome scenes, drinking, cursing.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Slotherhouse
What's the Story?
When an adorable sloth poached from the jungle of Panama lands as Emily's (Lisa Ambalavanar) new pet thousands of miles away, she believes she can use it as her new sorority house's mascot in order to become president. Little does Emily know that her furry new friend has other plans in mind as it goes on a vengeful killing spree. The sorority girls must unite and find ways to outsmart the cute predator and, ironically, be quicker than it.
Is It Any Good?
There's something odd and wicked about turning the sloth, one of the most universally beloved wild animals (look at that smile!), known for moving at a glacial pace, into a bonafide serial killer. That's precisely what Slotherhouse achieves by combining irreverent dark comedy with gruesome slasher attributes worthy of an installment in the Scream or Nightmare on Elm Street series as it transforms a cute sloth poached from its home in Panama into the ultimate horror at a sorority house thousands of miles away from its natural habitat.
Yet at a little over 90 minutes long, the film somehow outstays its welcome as the hilarious premise devolves into a series of scenes where we see young women being clawed to their death by the furry menace. The film's conservationist message is loud and clear; we are, after all, supposed to root for the sloth (humans are the true villains of this tale). However, this shouldn't mean the people onscreen are so dull they become utterly disposable. If this was supposed to be an allegory in which the sloth seeks payback for the similar ways in which humans kill wild animals without regard for their uniqueness, it will fly past younger viewers' heads. Adults will no doubt constantly check their watches, as the film stretches a thin punchline to the point of exhaustion.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why wild animals should not be removed from their natural habitats. Why is the sloth so angry at the humans in the film? Should wild animals become exotic pets? Why or why not?
The sloth is poached from the jungle of Panama. Take a look at the biodiversity of the region; which flowers and animals would you like to see if you travel there someday?
Emily is obsessed with her social media presence. Why are your real friends more important than the number of social media followers you have?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : September 19, 2023
- Cast : Lisa Ambalavanar , Sydney Craven , Bianca Beckles-Rose , Andrew Horton
- Director : Matthew Goodhue
- Studio : Gravitas Ventures
- Genre : Horror
- Run time : 93 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence, bloody images and language
- Last updated : October 11, 2023
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