‘Hunt or die’
The Slayers is a 2015 British comedy horror film written and directed by John Williams (Tales of the Creeping Death; There’s Something in the Shadows; Crispy’s Curse; The Mothertown).
The movie stars Darren McAree, Matthew Sandland, George Newton, Sophie Elsby, Dan Smith, Marnix Van Der Kraan and Pete Bennett.
Plot:
Two cult members, Nigel and Job, decide to go on a road trip during their last two weeks on earth. Bucketlist in hand, motorhome fired up, the two head for the mountains of Scotland for a final fortnight filled with girls, skydiving, camping, alcohol and strange men claiming to be vampire slayers…
Reviews:
“It’s by no means perfect but The Slayers oozes with comedy, class and great-looking indie special effects that really surprised me and exceeded my expectations. The movie is a perfect example of pulling off the impossible on a shoe-string budget. Incredible cinematography, far-out characters and a thoroughly enjoyable road trip of laughs, blood and friendship.” Back to the Movies
“Nigel and Job are an Abbott and Costello for a new generation, and it took me a long time to appreciate Abbott and Costello. Williams’s film is inventive, fast-paced, but… wait for it… not very funny. Sorry, John, maybe I just wasn’t in the mood for the pratfalls, goofiness and occasional The Mighty Boosh touches.” Dark Eyes of London
“The Slayers is layered with fun pop culture references from Back to the Future to Buffy the Vampire Slayer to The Krankies of all things which demonstrates Williams’s appreciation for his film/TV influences and sets the tone for the self-awareness the film encompasses. The Slayers is pure fun…” Love Horror
Release:
In the USA, The Slayers was released on DVD and Digital by Wild Eye Releasing on April 21, 2021.
Cast and characters:
Darren McAree … Nigel
Matthew Sandland … Job
George Newton … Reg
Sophie Elsby … Jess
Dan Smith … Dan
Marnix Van Der Kraan … Max
Pete Bennett … Vampire
Darren Anstey … Cult Member
Brooklyn Baker … Cult Member
Mark Carter … Vampire
Jason Conway … Shed Man
Kate Cubley … Sarah (as Kate Thomson)
Colin Dmitri … Cult Member
Tim Edwards … Cult Member
Martin Elliot … The Scottish Barman
Filming locations:
Staffordshire Moorlands and Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England
Technical details:
101 minutes
Trailer (US):
Trailer (UK):
MOVIES & MANIA review round-up and rating:
Despite some decent technical credits and superb scenery, this juvenile, male-orientated pap will test the patience of just about anyone except a thirteen-year-old boy with a bad sense of humour. Worse still, common sense would have necessitated that the running time should have been around 80 minutes or less but ‘auteur’ John Williams goes for the long distance. Pitiful.
