‘Slash kill cut and…’
That’s a Wrap is a 2023 American neo-Giallo slasher horror film about a maniac named Mistress who is killing the cast of a movie one by one.
Directed and co-produced by Marcel Walz (Pretty Boy; Blind; Rootwood; Blood Feast 2016; Tortura; Seed 2) from a screenplay co-written by Joe Knetter and Robert L. Lucas. Also produced by Sarah French and Joe Knetter. Executive produced by Yazid Benfeghoul, Justus Heinz, Tina Limbeck, Robert L. Lucas, BJ Mezek and Andreas Tremmel.
The Mezek Films-Neon Noir co-production stars Cerina Vincent (Cabin Fever), Monique Parent (Jurassic City), Sarah French (Space Wars: The Quest for Deepstar), Gigi Gustin (The Retaliators), Robert Donavan, Dave Sheridan (The Devil’s Rejects), Frédéric von Anhalt, Adam Bucci, Jed Rowen, Sarah Polednak, Ben Kaplan, Steve J. Owens, Brandon Patricio, Eve Marlowe and Robert L. Lucas.
Plot:
Mason Maestro (Robert Donavan) has just directed what he considers to be his masterpiece, a film titled ‘That’s a Wrap.’ The cast arrives at the studio excited to celebrate what they have just created.
However, they aren’t the only ones there. Someone has dressed up as Mistress, the slasher in the film, and has decided to make the art real by staging their own highly stylised kill scenes. One by one, the cast disappears until the true nature of the evening is revealed…
Reviews:
“The issues with the film lie in its execution and the fact is severely lacks any sort of tension, plus as a whodunit, it’s actually quite easy to solve […] While those are its weaknesses, That’s A Wrap does excel in its kills, which are creative and vicious and sometimes completely laughable.” Bloody Flicks
“Some of the visuals are really appealing and give off Giallo vibes; the killer’s getup is kind of creepy and also gives Giallo energy. Moreover, there are a few decent kill sequences and a couple of the characters are even endearing at times. That’s A Wrap is a film that shows a certain amount of promise but ultimately, the elements that work are outshined by those that don’t.” ★★ Dread Central
” …just throwing some red lights and garish colors on some scenes isn’t enough. Some sketchy performances and see-sawing tones ding the overall quality a bit, but some great atmosphere, creative kills, a suitable creepy-looking killer, and some meta-humor that works pretty well more than make up for the shortcomings.” The Good, the Bad and the Verdict
“True to the cliches of the genre, That’s A Wrap checks all the boxes while embracing a sharp meta quality to the scripting clearly inspired by Scream […] Between its preposterous turns into comedy, commentary about rejection and women in the film industry bleeds through. That’s a Wrap cements Walz as a horror creative who truly understands (and loves!) the genre.” 4 out of 5, Josh at the Movies
” …the term “Giallo” shouldn’t scare off anyone unfamiliar or unenthused with the subgenre. Fans of slashers, sexploitation, and particularly meta horror will find great satisfaction with what’s given. At a more basic level, the crazy cool imagery and atmosphere alone cover the price of admission.” 82% Nightmare on Film Street
“Marcel Walz’s That’s a Wrap is more than a scream; it’s a gleeful howl that echoes the vivacity of horror’s golden age, seamlessly fused with the vitality of the ’90s horror genre, meta to the max! This isn’t just another slasher; it’s a cinematic treat filled with ominous shadows around every corner, mesmerizing colors, and a dash of humor that’ll keep you smiling even when the chills run down your spine.” 4.5 out of 5, Overly Honest Movie Reviews
“When it is time to unveil the killer, the biggest surprise comes in the drawn-out monologue explaining the motivations. There is an attempt to include commentary regarding how the industry treated women across different generations, yet it feels hollow considering how this film already treated its female characters. As presented, it feels like an attempt at relevancy which pads out the runtime until the infuriating resolution.” The Reviewing Rodders
” …there’s a meta-level to the proceedings where the events of the film-within-the-film are mirrored in the movie, and then there’s several of the actors playing (of course totally superelevated) versions of themselves. Now add to that a solid cast playing a wonderfully colourful cast of relatable characters, and a very stylish, Giallo-influenced directorial effort, and you come away with a pretty awesome piece of cinema…” Search My Trash
“That’s a Wrap delivers the kills, shocks and general sleaze we expect from a giallo, or a jello as one character pronounces it, and it does it in grand style. My complaints are few, the person behind the killings is fairly obvious and their monologue to the last survivor is a bit long. But beyond that, this is an enjoyably bloody romp that’s worth giallo and slasher fans’ attention.” 4 out of 5, Voices from the Balcony
Background:
Director Marcel Walz said: “I’m so excited to have a colourful Giallo slasher as the first movie from our own production company, Neon Noir. Everyone involved in this project brought so much love and talent to the table and made the whole process from start to finish something special. I know the audience will see the love in the end product. My favourite film of all time is Wes Craven’s Scream.
That’s a Wrap is a fun meta-slasher that showcases my love for that series of films combined with my love of Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story. As a gay director, I’m thrilled to have an opportunity to have LGBTQ characters represented in the film. One even plays a key part in a scene that will no doubt get people talking about how that kill is something they’ve never seen before. It’s so ridiculous. I love it.”
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