#AMFAD All My Friends Are Dead had a seemingly fun premise, combining a modern slasher concept with a talented director. The story follows a group of teenagers who rent an Airbnb to attend a big music festival, only to be threatened by a masked killer. The film hints multiple times that the group's past plays a role in why they are being targeted, with the murders loosely based on the seven deadly sins. I usually enjoy these kinds of movies, even though such "dumb slashers" are often flawed and not very good. However, they are usually entertaining and a fun way to pass the time. With Marcus Dunstan as the director, known for movies like The Collector series and the underrated horror thriller The Neighbor, I was intrigued to watch this film. Unfortunately, the result was more disappointing than I expected.
The characters are absolutely unlikable, which is not uncommon for this subgenre. However, the audience needs to connect with the cast on some level to create tension. Without that connection, you do not care when a character dies and cannot root for them. Sometimes, in such cases, you can root for the killer instead, but even that was difficult here. The masked killer lacked depth, and while the motive was clear, the villain was not interesting or memorable enough to root for. The mask itself, a modern slasher design with LED lights, did not stand out or leave a lasting impression.
The acting was subpar, though I would not have minded that too much, especially for a low-budget slasher. The movie is marketed heavily around JoJo Siwa, with her name prominently displayed on the cover. However, she has a very minor role, so if you are watching solely for her, you will likely feel let down.
Despite its terrible characters, uneven script, and predictability, the movie was entertaining. I do not regret watching it, and I can understand why others might hate it. That said, you can still have a decent amount of fun with it despite all its flaws. Overall, it is a slightly below-average slasher for genre fans and might be suitable for watching with a group of friends, especially if you are barely paying attention and laughing at the characters' absurd decisions. While I hoped this movie would offer much more, it fell short of my expectations. Still, in my eyes, it is a watchable flick. [5.4/10]
