A queer horror slasher scratches a kind of niche itch that, when executed well, makes for a memorably perfect burst of cinema. Slay, not to be confused with 2024’s vampire drag queen romp, fits this bill immaculately. A gloriously ridiculous horror comedy is just what the doctor ordered, especially given its campy send-up that blends a bit of Scream with a dash of April Fool’s Day. Who can deny the entertainment value in watching a group of social media personalities get picked off by a murderer dressed like a deranged Hollywood icon? Preposterous and engaging, Slay cuts deep with social commentary and unapologetic slasher mayhem.
In an extended opening, we meet Chloe (Zoey Luna), an aspiring influencer whose online presence explodes after her father’s harsh rejection of her transgenderism goes viral. As Chloe gains thousands of followers, she becomes an outspoken advocate for gender identity and lifting up less fortunate voices. She’s also a massive horror fan with dreams of becoming an actress and eventually making her own movie. Naturally, her newfound fame shifts relationships, particularly her longtime friendship with bestie Kat (Malina Weissman).
Chloe’s growing celebrity status attracts the attention of television interviewer Jenna Wolfe (Shawnee Smith), and that sequence alone is practically infuriating. Wolfe’s offensive questions turn their conversation into a disaster. Not long after, the first victim meets their gory demise. The practical effects have a ton of fun reveling in the gory bits. Director Kyra Elise Gardner knows we come to a slasher for the slashing (go figure!), and gives us plenty to soak in. Equally effective is the killer’s costume, Kidface, a bootleg knockoff Nicole Kidman mask there to say so much more than “we come to this place for magic.” The mask and attached blonde wig make for a striking visage, a far cry from some of the modern slasher masks. There’s even a sequence where the murderer begins performing a strange little dance to music before resuming their pursuit of the terrified victims.
As Chloe prepares to pursue her acting ambitions, she and her friends pack into a van for a trip to a secluded filming location deep in the woods. Among the group are Kat, Chloe’s admirers and potential romantic interests, and Jordi (Sean Giambrone), whose massive crush on Chloe is impossible to miss. Their journey includes a stop at a creepy convenience store, complete with a bizarre shopkeeper who enjoys huffing cleaning products and an ominous fisherman who seems awfully suspicious. That setup is all very Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Friday the 13th in nature. Once they arrive at their enormous woodland retreat, the movie settles into obvious slasher territory. There’s sexual tension, a gorgeous secluded location without cell service, and a campfire game of truth or dare. With a killer apparently lurking outside, the group frantically barricades the cabin.
Slay delivers some genuinely effective stalking sequences, including a creepy shot that allows us to watch the killer quietly moving through the cabin while Chloe and Blake (Beck Nolan) attempt to hide upstairs. A playful awareness of slasher conventions can be felt throughout, and the filmmakers clearly understand how to execute the right level of subversion while saving room for the gnarly kills. Slay also delivers on the convoluted motive dump and killer reveal. As a Scream obsessive, I love to see a flick that emulates the final act of that movie by upping the ante. The self-aware humor and commitment to delivering a bloody good time make any shortcomings easy to forgive.
Malina Weissman, immediately recognizable as Violet Baudelaire from Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, stepping into a completely different kind of twisted story was a pure delight. Saw‘s Shawnee Smith is also a welcome addition, lending horror cred to the proceedings. The cast seems perfectly willing to embrace the material’s exaggerated tone, and the standout star is Luna. While I enjoyed her in misfire The Craft: Legacy, Slay allows Luna to delve into material worthy of her star status. She embodies major final girl energy in a way that will satisfy most genre aficionados.
From beginning to end, Slay delivers a fun little slasher that understands the appeal of its formula and playfully leans right in. The social-media satire breaks no new ground, and the final twist is completely bonkers, but I had a great time watching it all unravel. Heartbreak feels good in a place like this, and Kidface sure makes the movie better. Kyra Elise Gardner shows massive promise as a director as well, and could become a horror mainstay. Get ready to scream: Slay could be your next slasher obsession!
Slay screened at 2026’s Brooklyn Horror Film Festival.
Just curious, how much gore and nudity is there in the movie?