From Ozempic to ridiculous cosmetic surgery, no time in history has the pressure of being aesthetically beautiful been more vital to fitting into society. While people starve themselves to death and mutilate their natural appearance it was only a matter of time before the genre began stabbing at the latest terrifying trend. The Substance won awards along with bringing back the iconic Demi Moore to the genre. Director/Writer Zachary Snygg attempts to face lift the trending sub-genre with his latest film, Karen: The Beauty Queen Butcher.
Karen is a professional beauty pageant contestant who never seems to win the crown. After her latest runner-up finish, the belle of the ball mysteriously dies in horrific fashion, putting Karen on top. As the competition heats up toward the prestigious Miss Manhattan showdown, more top contenders begin to get eliminated by process of death. A bumbling police force scrambles to put together the pieces of the evidence and the victims as Karen begins to enjoy the fame that comes along with sitting on the throne. As the big contest approaches, the walls begin to collapse upon the obsessive Karen who is willing to pay the ultimate price for the prize.
Snygg presents a fun film that is filled with enough fear to keep horror hounds howling, while laying a nice sub-text to an over-saturated market. The kills display great practical effects that will bring fans back to the glory of yesteryear horror. Solid performances all through the cast with Jasmin Flores driving the narrative with an eerie psychopathic take on the fascination with winning and beauty. Scott Bolger portrays Karen’s neglected husband with great range that flows from depressing to comedic. Karen: The Beauty Queen Butcher is another gem that shows how independent horror is quickly becoming the primary outlet for fresh fear films.
Scream Score: 7/10