There are two matters which may serve to especially limit viewer engagement with this one. First is that the movie wears its influences on its sleeve; I don't even need to namedrop a title, because the characters discuss its plot in an early scene. Mind you, I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with such a tack, provided its not outright mimicry (pardon the phrase), and more to the point, there's certainly enough about this iteration to set it apart that any similarity shouldn't be minded. Second, the cast is filled entirely with non-professionals. Here, too, there's nothing inherently wrong with the casting; plenty of non-professional actors have performed admirably when given the opportunity. One can in no way fault the folks who have been brought on to appear herein, though I think it's safe to say that the results vary - whether the kids or the adults, some demonstrate more dexterous skills than others. Still, even at that, I deeply admire the effort to specifically craft a feature starring Inuit people and modern culture, and enlisting talent from among locals is part and parcel of that endeavor.
Putting these aside, it's worth noting that by and large 'Slash/back' is more "fun-scary" than "scary-scary." There are instances that are acutely creepy, and Michael Brooks' dynamic, varied original music also goes a long way toward crafting a sense of atmosphere. On the other hand, some stylized flourishes pointedly emphasize a playful slant that counterbalances the more earnest genre thrills. I suppose this is a good launch point to also note that in some measure the movie suffers from a flattened tone, in turn robbing it of the best invigoration and investment one would assume or hope for. This can partly be attributed to the mix between alternating vibes of major horror and cheeky romp, and partly to the acting that struggles to achieve especial heights even in the most violent moments, with perhaps other factors also involved. I think this is solidly enjoyable, but not inescapably riveting; save for that it's an exemplar of pushing for diversity in cinema, maybe it's not wholly essential.
All this may sound like a lot of criticism, but I mean only to accentuate that for as good as this is, it's not perfect. On the other hand, there is a great deal to love about 'Slash/back,' and by far I think it's much more worth watching than not. I quite like the screenplay whipped up between filmmaker Nyla Innuksuk and co-writer Ryan Cavan. Characters and dialogue are written to be as realistic as possible, as though the actors are effectively playing fictionalized versions of themselves; we get "hip" dialogue and slang that may sit better with "Generation Z" than "millenials," let alone "Generation X" or older, and sometimes uncomfortable but true to life dynamics between family and friends. I think the scene writing and narrative are rather tight as a tale is told of people in a very small coastal town fighting back against something dangerous and extraordinary; if anything, the resolution to the scenario is maybe a little too easy to achieve the best storytelling effect. The horror violence is a blast, and in my opinion all the effects both practical and digital look fantastic; one might argue that the representation of the creature(s) looks low-budget to the point of inauthenticity and kitsch, but I rather think that the appearance is perfectly in keeping with the nature of the entity on hand.
I love that 'Slash/back' was filmed on location in Pangnirtung in the far north of Canada, and while their acting abilities vary, I appreciate that the assembled cast give it their all and are clearly having a good time. It should be said, too, that this boasts strong, professional production values; one can easily imagine how quality might be sacrificed in service of the "homegrown" facet of the title, but Innuksuk demonstrates that she takes her craft seriously. And maybe that more than anything is the key with this movie: no matter how you measure it, it's probably not the best example of any constituent element, nor of its composite genres. It's engaging and entertaining, but not a total must-see. However, it's also characterized by undeniable sincerity, passion, and care from top to bottom, reinforcing the drive to make indigenous people a visible part of cinema as more than just stock characters but also never losing sight of the importance of telling a compelling story in the meanwhile. When all is said and done absolute purists may not find as much appeal here, but I otherwise think that just about anyone would likely come away from the picture having fun. You maybe don't need to go out of your way for it, but 'Slash/back' is an excellent horror flick and in some ways a noteworthy step forward for the industry, and it's well worth checking out if you have the chance.
