Slay

I really thought this movie was going to be very cringe. Most drag movies aren't really good. This movie was actually really good. I loved the jokes and the message the movie delivered. I also loved that they used other vampire movie references. These queens did a really great job with their acting. This is NOT a Rupaul acting challenge. I really hope there is a sequel with more drag queens or even drag kings. Give it a try, if you got 1 hour and 30 minutes to waste. I am so glad that they did NOT used the God awful producer --Assaad Yacoub-that every drag queen uses for music videos or projects.

Let me be honest: I didn't know about ' Slay' until I browsed Neil Sandilands' profile, and the only reason I decided to watch the movie is because of Neil Sandilands.

2023 saw the release of 'Summoning Sylvia' starring contestants of RuPaul's Drag Race. That was the first séance/possession movie I've seen with a predominantly gay cast. Now, with the release of 'Slay', it is the first predominantly gay vampire movie - of this caliber - I've ever seen, and once again starring contestants from RuPaul's Drag Race.

Neil Sandilands stars as Dusty, owner of a bar called The Bold Buck. Drag queens Mama Sue Flay (Trinity the Tuck), Robin Banks (Heidi N Closet), Olive Wood (Cara Melle), and Bella Da Boys (Crystal Methyd) are to perform at the bar due to a booking blunder. Butch biker guys make fun of them on arrival.

Undaunted, the drag queens go ahead with their show, but during their first act a vampire stumbles into the bar and attacks one of the patrons. And this is just the start of a vampire attack that will see the queens and the patrons fight for survival.

Although there are quite a bit of blood and gore, it is done in such a funny way that it will leave the audience roaring with laughter instead of cringing. Yes, it is maybe a bit silly at times, but generally funny and definitely entertaining. It's like 'To Wong Foo' meets 'From Dusk Till Dawn'.

The performances from the drag queens were pretty good. Then again, I suppose being real drag queens, they were in their comfort zone. The film also has a nice soundtrack, and for most parts the make-up (and I'm not referring to the queens' make-up) also weren't too shabby (for a horror comedy).

'Slay' offers a good dose of action, humour and a few interesting visuals, blended into a campy movie with bite! I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Dusty was still the best character for me, and I enjoyed his back story and character development. I also liked Travis (Daniel Janks), another character who developed through the course of the movie.

Was it perfect? Oh no. But then I wasn't expecting perfection. I enjoyed the performances of Trinity the Tuck, Heidi N Closet and Crystal Methyd particularly. I was pleasantly surprised by Crystal as I did not care for her much when she was on Drag Race. Cara Melle was a bit of a disappointment. She didn't embrace the absurdity as much as the other queens did with their characters. The supporting cast surprised me with their commitment to their characters. I laughed, yelled out "Ewwwww!" frequently, and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I could go all academic and do a high-falutin' critique, but why do that when I had so much fun watching. It's a silly bloody dragfest of a film and absolutely worth giving a go. Heidi N Closet and Crystal Methyd's performances alone are so absolutely OTT and, to use a RuPaul-ism, "STUPID!" that your will not be wasting your time.

I'm not the first to say this is "Too Wong Foo..." meets "From Dusk Til Dawn", nor will I be the last, I'm sure. But if you're looking for the elevator pitch, that's essentially what this glorious horror comedy is.

I have watched A LOT of mediocre comedy with Drag Race alums, but this isn't one of them. "Slay" knows exactly what type of camp comedy/horror it wants to be and it embodies that PERFECTLY. And Director/Writer Jem Garrard does a wonderful job getting good performances out of Trinity the Tuck, Heidi N Closet, Cara Melle, and Crystal Methyd. Sure, there are a few clunky line deliveries here and there, but they're forgivable when everything else is so delightful.

Slay" pleasantly surprised me with its entertaining blend of B-horror action and comedy. It embraced its identity and delivered an enjoyable experience from start to finish. The premise, centered around four drag queens inadvertently confronting vampires in a remote location, provided ample opportunities for both laughs and thrills.

One of the film's strengths lies in its solid cast, which includes well-known drag queens who inject their performances with charisma and flair. Their chemistry on screen adds to the fun and entertainment value of the movie.

I was particularly impressed by the production values and overall look and feel of the film. Despite its B-horror roots, "Slay" boasts impressive set design and special effects that elevate it above typical genre fare. The filmmakers clearly knew what they wanted to achieve and executed it effectively.

Moreover, the pacing and runtime of the film were well-managed, ensuring that it never overstayed its welcome. Additionally, the movie delivers a positive message, further enhancing its appeal.

Overall, "Slay" is a delightful surprise that offers plenty of laughs, thrills, and entertainment. It's a testament to the power of embracing one's identity and delivering a fun and engaging movie experience.