Watch horror Movies for free with Amazon Prime

Girly

Girly Movie
1970
0
Director: 
Freddie Francis

SYNOPSIS: 

A wealthy, fatherless British clan kidnaps bums and hippies and forces them to participate in an elaborate role-playing game in which they are the perfect family; those who refuse or attempt escape are ritualistically murdered.

REVIEW: 

Girly is a bloodless, fully dressed, sober good time (yes it is possible) A group of adults play house like children, taking the roles of the mother, the nanny, the younger brother, and the kid sister. Sonny and Girly, the twenty something children of the family, are sent out into the world by Mumsy and Nanny to find playmate friends to bring back home. This involves going out to public parks to find homeless and/or drunk grown men and inviting them home for dinner and play time. Once the men arrive at the home they are forced to play along with the family’s games and rules. They are treated as a new child in the house. Those that break the rules get cut…… in pieces. (Insert evil laugh)

What makes this movie worth a watch is the character Girly (Vanessa Howard) who is a beautiful vixen that you can’t keep your eyes off of whenever she hits the screen. Her character is that of a little girl trapped in a grown woman’s body. Which will make any guy a creep, as was I guilty as charged. I don’t know why that’s a turn on but it is and it is a pleasure lusting over her character throughout the film. It should also be noted that there is no way in hell Rob Zombie was not influenced by this character when writing the role of Baby in House of a 1000 Corpses and The Devils Rejects. It’s always nice to watch a little unknown movie and spot something that you know has given influence to more recent and successful films.

Sonny is either gay or asexual, the verdict isn’t in yet after 40 years of scholarly debate. A typical bratty older brother that likes to tease his make believe sister whom he appears to have no romantic interest in. The movie focuses more on the adventures of Sonny and Girly than Mumsy or Nanny, who kind of just hold the fort down and make the rules. Their roles become more concrete once the New Friend becomes a fixture at the home, but still none of the characters are as developed as Girly. If you don’t find Girly’s little girl act sexy, skip the flick.

So the family lacks a father figure until the New Friend comes along. Picked up drunk at a party along with his girlfriend by Sonny and Girly, he becomes single after his better half gets pushed off the side of a slide in a playground. He is shocked and appalled by the death of his girlfriend and allows the playmates to take him to their home in his moments of confusion. The New Friend learns the house rules and plays along to secure his survival. This outsider proceeds to sleep around and cause havoc and betrayal amongst family members. He is for all intents and purposes, what all men strive to be.

The concept behind the movie is inventive and I feel like more could have been done. I keep in mind some limits derive from this story originating as a stage play. In a way I’m curious how this clan got together in the first place and what motivates them to play the roles they play, at the same time I realize that having no explanation makes it weirder and wackier. Maybe their saying something about the role we give family members in society based off age and gender but I hope not, the film is fun just for its zany flavor. As much as I like to preach against remakes, especially in the horror genre, this is a film that really deserves an update. Still, it does move at an entertaining pace and although definitively 1960’s in style, I think it has aged gracefully. If you’re looking for a movie that’s offbeat but not freaky enough to gross out your own old nanny, I’d suggest giving this a looking into.

OTHER MOVIES REVIEWS

Founders Day

2023

Blood, Masks, and… Democracy?! If you thought politics was already scary enough, Founders Day takes electoral terror to a whole new level. This slasher with a patriotic twist blends elections, mystery, and a masked serial killer sporting a judge’s wig, ready to enforce his own laws… with a bloody gavel! The tone is a mix between Scream and a presidential debate… except here, if you answer wrong, you don’t just lose votes—you lose your head! The performances are surprisingly solid for an indie horror film, with believable young leads and an antagonist who knows how... Read More

The Addiction

1995

Directed by Abel Ferrara, The Addiction is a vampire film that transcends the confines of the horror genre to explore philosophical and metaphysical themes related to sin, addiction and the nature of evil. Shot in evocative black and white, the film is a visceral meditation on the loss of free will and the corruption of the soul. Ferrara uses vampirism as a metaphor for addiction and self-destruction, recurring themes in his filmography. The film is deeply influenced by existentialist thought and nihilism, with frequent references to philosophers such as Nietzsche and... Read More

Burnt Offerings

1976

Based on the novel of the same name by Robert Marasco. A slowly building gothic nightmare, the film is distinguished by an oppressive atmosphere that develops with a slow but inexorable pace. The terror does not come in the form of sudden jump scares, but through a growing tension and a sense of inevitable doom. The house seems to absorb the vitality of its inhabitants, and the mystery that surrounds it becomes increasingly disturbing. A stellar cast and memorable performances, Karen Black is perfect in the role of the mother, who goes from loving and caring to... Read More

My Heart Can't Beat Unless You Tell It To

2020

Unlike typical vampire films, My Heart Can't Beat Unless You Tell It To focuses more on family drama than conventional fear. The tone is melancholic, with a slow and suffocating narration that immerses the viewer in the anguish of the protagonists. The most disturbing aspect is not the violence itself, but the emotional toll that sacrifice and morality impose on the brothers. Jonathan Cuartas builds a claustrophobic and desolate world, emphasizing the loneliness of the characters through dark photography and a clever use of silence. The setting - an anonymous and... Read More

Ghost Stories

2018

Ghost Stories is a British psychological horror film adapted from their play of the same name. The film stands out for its disturbing atmosphere, layered narrative and a surprising ending that overturns the viewer's expectations. Dyson and Nyman build a horror that relies more on psychological tension than gratuitous jump scares. The use of lighting, sound and distressing shots contribute to creating a sense of growing unease. Each story has its own visual identity and a different narrative style, reflecting the personal fears of the protagonists. Andy Nyman offers... Read More