For the Horror Nation, summertime is a sun-drenched delay before spooky season begins. For others, this is the time to take a much-needed break and head to the beach, woods, or various places of relaxation. Though the days are long, and the sun takes precedence over the moon, monsters still lurk in the land of leisure. Here is a list of a few summer holiday horror films that should be viewed as a warning to not let your guard down, even when you are supposed to be leaving the stress of everyday horrors behind.
CABIN FEVER (2002)
After college graduation, a group of friends decide to celebrate by taking a trip to the woods to unwind before beginning their real life. After a few encounters with the backwards locals, the real horror kicks in. Slowly, each of the group become infected with a flesh-eating disease. Exasperating the horror is the fact that those local yokels are more interested in eliminating those who are infected instead of helping. The young adults must fight their way out of the woods before the sickness consumes them.
“Cabin Fever” was director Eli Roth’s fantastic debut. The film is the perfect vile viewing experience for a retreat to the woods. Great characters, special effect kills, and comedy that is splattered all over the film more than the spurting blood make for a gory great time. The film was a box office success and set Roth off to a multi-decade career. Sadly, the success also spurned a few forgettable sequels and an awful remake. But just like visiting your favorite summer resort that held memories of your childhood, nothing beats an original.
CLUB DREAD (2004)
The legendary sea shanty musician Coconut Pete has purchased a resort and invited the public to vacation there to enjoy the island life he has preached about during his long and now washed-up career. The new crew of fun seekers are in for more than rum and fun as a serial killer is now loose on the island. One by one, staff and guest are hunted and killed as Pete attempts to keep things quiet as to not want a full-scale panic to rip through the isolated island. As the corpses pile up on the sand, the mystery behind the clever killer has everyone start to look at friends both old and new with suspicion until the truth comes to a bloody conclusion.
Director Jay Chandrasekhar insisted that the famous Broken Lizard comedy troupe do a horror film after their smash sleeper hit “Super Troopers.” Chandrasekhar got into films as a young man after he saw and became obsessed with Carpenter’s “Halloween.” Unfortunately, “Club Dread” came no where close to the sensation of “Halloween” or “Super Troopers.” The film bombed at the box office and was the first slip on a downward spiral for the crew of comedians. However, the film has found cult status over the last few years, and for good reason. The late great Bill Paxton puts in another iconic performance as Coconut Pete, and each of the troupe fills the fright film with memorable one-liners. The horror is also well done with several fantastic island styled kills along with some great effects. “Club Dread” is the perfect film to enjoy with a sombrero on your head and a margarita in your hand.
SHARK NIGHT (2011)
Once again, a group of college kids head on vacation to blow off some steam and stress after their semester. This time, the coeds head to a lake that just happens to oddly be infested with man-eating sharks of all variety. As the sharks feast on the young flesh, it is revealed that the locals have stocked the lake with these altered sea beasts in attempt to cash in on an audience that would pay big to watch the below surface horror. A clash between man and beast ensues and the monsters below could care less who they devour.
“Shark Night” will never be in the same sea league as “Jaws” or even the more recent “The Shallows,” but the film is oddly enjoyable. Critics lambasted a modest box office success, mostly due to the PG-13 rating that was thrust upon the unsuspecting team behind the film in attempt to draw a bigger audience. While the suspense, gore, and performances are neutered, the film flows well and is an entertaining fright fish film that can be enjoyed by the entire family, before a late night dip in the pool.