Common Sense Media Review
By Joyce Slaton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Really scary, really violent horror for older teens and up.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Slasher 2: Guilty Party
What's the Story?
In horror series SLASHER 2: GUILTY PARTY, on a beautiful summer night, a group of teen camp counselors did something terrible -- and they hoped that if they buried the evidence and never talked about it again, maybe it would be like it never happened at all. But years later, when a planned mountain resort threatens to uncover what they did, the old friends are forced to gather at a mysterious mountain house to come up with a new plan. Unfortunately, someone else has plans for them -- and as the body count mounts, it's clear that no one's safe.
Is It Any Good?
Chilling, graphically violent, and quite scary, this horror series takes a familiar setup -- a group of friends with a guilty secret -- and makes it fresh with brisk plotting and deft characterizations. One unusual element is how seriously Slasher 2's characters have been impacted by the horrific secret they tried to bury. "This secret has ruined every relationship I've had in my life," says the tortured Andi (Paula Brancati), while her sometimes-boyfriend Pete (Lovell Adams-Gray) agrees that he's "haunted." Making villains into relatable, guilt-ridden, realistic people gives the scary goings-on extra weight in a way that's refreshing.
Equally innovative: setting the action at a strange "intentional community," where the members have secrets and hidden motivations. Exactly why have they isolated themselves from society, why one member is strangely "triggered" by a group of visitors, what the purpose of their group is, all will be made clear. And since the show isn't called Friendly Kittens and Happy Grandmas, it's a safe bet that whatever they have planned, there's probably a lot of blood at the end of it. This is compelling viewing for horror-mad teens and adults -- just watch out for that ultra-violence with younger watchers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why horror is a popular genre. Why is watching scary material enjoyable? When does it go too far? Do you think Slasher 2: Guilty Party is scary?
How does the show's presence on cable allow it to push the envelope when it comes to violence and language? What would the show look like if it were to air on network television? How would it have to change?
What's an anthology series? What other examples can you think of? Why would a series want to change plots or characters regularly? What's the advantage?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 10, 2017
- Cast : Paula Brancati , Leslie Hope , Ty Olsson , Joanne Vannicola
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 18, 2022
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