‘Real pain cuts deep’
Masked Mutilator is a 2019 American action horror film directed by Jeff Beltzner from a screenplay by Ed Polgardy and Dale Schneck. The movie stars Brick Bronsky (WWE), Jeff Sibbach (WCW, NWA), Doug Flex Yasinsky (ECW), and FX master Glenn Hetrick.
The production first began in 1994 but ran into difficulties. It was resumed in 1996 but hit further problems. It was finally completed recently via a re-write to include modern-day bookends featuring the film’s original star.
Plot:
After accidentally killing an opponent in the ring, a professional wrestler takes a job at a group home for youth offenders. But when a psychopath wearing a wrestling mask begins butchering the teenage residents, their rehabilitation will become a no-holds-barred battle for survival…
Reviews:
” …Masked Mutilator ended up being a fun horror throwback that’s got pro-wrestlers in it as well as a masked killer so you’ve kind of got the best of both worlds here as far as this cheesefest goes. It also has this raw exploitation thing going on so there’s lots of nudity and plenty of blood and gore to boot.” Alien Bee review
“All of this is way more entertaining than it has a right to be, because the script by Ed Polgardy and Dale Schneck is tight, well-written, and bristling with good dialogue which is delivered beautifully by a talented, appealing cast. The film is very well-paced with nary any padding –every scene counts — and the murder scenes and other action are expertly staged and shot.” HK and Cult Film News review
” …the cast really goes for it and that makes the dialogue so much more fun. I mean wall to wall greatness, easily earns the full score. On the craziness front, the constant flow of wild dialogue, colorful characters brought to life by a game cast, unpredictable atmosphere, and that special “it” factor push the score up. I found the movie to be an absolute blast and will be revisiting it time and again.” Marc Fusion review
“Top to bottom its great. Its very low budget, like in the sense the group home its filmed in is clearly somebody’s house with signs taped to doors. The effects are all practical, and a bit on the lower budget side but to me this added to the charm. The acting was pretty good and all of the characters had great chemistry together. There was an ample amount of blood so the slasher fans will no doubt enjoy it.” Movie Graveyard review
Release:
Masked Mutilator is released on Blu-ray + DVD on May 14, 2019 by Severin Films via their Intervision Pictures imprint.
- Audio Commentary with Cast & Crew (Dale Schneck, Tom Taylor, Paul Sutt, Steve Mittman and Jim “The Tank” Dorsey)
- You See Me Sweatin’? – Interview with Actor Tom Taylor (06:45)
- Slice the Pretty Boy – Interview with Actor/FX Artist Paul Sutt (06:30)
- Scissors, Tape & Paste – Interview with Co-Writer/Co-Executive Producer Ed Polgardy (07:34)
- Don’t Believe That, Folks – Interview with Co-Writer/Executive Producer Dale Schneck (05:47)
- Audition Tapes (05:07)
- “Mean” Gene Okerlund Interviews Tom Taylor (03:03)
Cast and characters:
- James DeBello … Young Steve Carson
- Glenn Hetrick … Rocker
- Brick Bronsky … Steve Carson
- Christine Appino … Alyssa
- Doug Yasinsky … Carl the Cook
- Jim ‘Tank’ Dorsey … Mike Carson
- Paul Sutt … Jake
- Andrew Denzel … Greg
- Steve Mittman … Bill Dorian
- Leida Queralt … Ms. Diaz
- Jennifer Jones … Karen Carson
- Heidi Shelhamer … Leslie
- Amanda Kupchinsky … Marcy
- Chet Cole … Mason
- Jack Hill … Cowboy Rogers
