THE LAST MATINEE (2020) Reviews of retro cinema-set slasher

Other reviews:
” …Red Screening is a slick and stylish horror where the screams are not just onscreen. Maximiliano Contenti’s film delves deep into the subgenre’s tropes and cliches, acknowledging without being bound by them. It’s nicely done and cutely realised. There’s nothing particularly groundbreaking here, but it’s entertaining fare.” Backseat Mafia

“Much of The Last Matinee is directed with excellent tension and suspense, taking its simplistic and setting and small cast, and building on what’s bound to be a blood-drenched explosion. Contenti paints the lens with bold hues of red and blue turning the theater in to a horrifying setting. All the while he pays homage to many classic horror films with theater settings, including Demons, Opera, and even Popcorn.” Cinema Crazed

“The killer’s black gloves and habit of hiding his face further the feel of a gritty giallo that might make those maestros proud […] Its to-the-point tone is neither comedic nor darkly serious, hitting a nice mix that’s mildly macabre while still fitting the bill as escapist entertainment.” Culture Crypt

“With its beautifully scary color scheme and cinematography, well-constructed characters and writing, and its over the top gore, Al Morir La Matinee is a fantastic throwback […] Not only is this film incredibly fun, it’s a movie that I look forward to watching again and again!” Daily Dead

“The Last Matinee is a crackerjack throwback film that, while paying homage to its inspirations, eschews the unimaginative trappings some retro-minded slasher and giallo movies go for in favor of seeking new approaches and simultaneously being a valentine to classic movie houses. The film rises above being mere pastiche, and is highly recommended for horror fans of every stripe.” Horror Fuel

” …The Last Matinee is a larger than life film, beginning with sweeping shots over a foggy city set to a brazen score from Hernan Gonzalez that blares loud trumpets and ominous tones, while occasionally breaking into high-tension, operatic notes similar to something you might hear from Goblin. Shades of green and red neon occasionally seep in during some of the more violent moments, complimented by well-timed uses of slow-motion to accentuate the heart-stopping terror of the scene.” Killer Horror Critic

“A cinema auditorium is essentially a big open space, so it’s baffling how nobody is noticing the killer at work. Contenti’s failure to establish the geography of the setting means that when the finale kicks in we’re never sure of where the killer is in relation to his potential victims, erasing much of the potential tension and suspense. The soundtrack – a selection of synthwave tracks – is clunkily deployed…” The Movie Waffler

“The practical effects by Christian Gruaz are about as good as it gets and are the film’s highlight. A scene where the killer has to perform a bit of impromptu surgery on himself being a particular stand-out. Since The Last Matinee takes its plot cues from slashers, the stories and characters have no real depth to them. We know nothing about the killer at the start or end of the film.” Voices from the Balcony

Release date:
The film had its world premiere at Sitges Film Festival in Spain in 2020 and is being shown at various festivals such as Panic Fest and Cleveland International Film Festival. It had its Canadian debut at the Calgary Underground Film Festival.

Dark Star and Bloody Disgusting (the distributors of Honeydew) will give The Last Matinee a theatrical release on August 6, 2021, with On-demand, Digital and DVD releases to follow shortly after.

The Last Matinee was released on Blu-ray in the UK by Arrow Video on December 6, 2021. Special features:

High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
Original uncompressed stereo and 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio sound
Optional English subtitles
Audio Commentary with director Maxi Contenti
VFX featurette exploring the special effects of the film
Interview with director Maxi Contenti
Killer Attractions: Maxi Contenti and Ricardo Islas in Conversation, a discussion between the film’s director and star Ricardo Islas, director of Frankenstein: Day of the Beast
At the Premiere, featurette on the film’s premiere
Music video for ‘Espada’ by Phoro, directed by Maxi Contenti
Puppet Pal V, Contenti’s first film
Six short films by director Maxi Contenti: The Plastic Kingdom (2011), Popping Eyes (2009), Hobby Metal (2006), Les Escaliers Fruitiers (2005), La Galleta aka The Cookie (2003), Miedo aka Fear (2001)
Deleted and extended scenes
Trailers and teasers
Image galleries including behind-the-scenes and promo stills, concept artwork, storyboards and posters
Fan artwork image gallery
Double-sided fold-out poster
Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Anton Bitel
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Marc Schoenbach

Cast and characters:
Yuly Aramburu … Maria Julia
Hugo Blandamuro … Hugo
Daiana Carigi … Maite (Brooke Shields)
Pedro Duarte … Mauricio
Valeria Martínez Eguizabal … Mama de Diego
Lucas Fressero … Niño Jugando
Luciana Grasso … Ana
Ricardo Islas … Come Ojos
Vladimir Knazevs … Goni
Juan Carlos Lema … Viejo
Fernán Moliv … Policía
Patricia Porzio … Gabriela
Emanuel Sobré … Horacio
Julieta Spinelli … Anglea
Julio Troisi … Vilardebó

Technical details:
1 hour 28 minutes
Aspect ratio: 2:35:1

Trailer:

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