‘Death as art’
End of Term is a 2021 British horror film about a group of art students seemingly tormented by the lingering menace of a painter who had a disturbing vision fifty years prior.
Directed by Mat Menony and Mark Murphy (Awaiting; The Crypt) from a screenplay written by John Paul Chapple (Bathory: Countess of Blood).
The GCB Films-Goldfinch Studios-Premiere Picture-Solar Productions movie stars Ronald Pickup (Darkest Hour; Young Dracula TV series; Dark Floors; Jekyll & Hyde (1990); The Hound of the Baskervilles (1988); Doctor Who (1964)), Ben Lamb, Nicola Posener (The Sleeping Room), Peter Davison (Good Omens; Doctor Who (1981 – 1984), Julie Graham (The Sarah Jane Adventures, Shetland), David Bamber (Valkyrie, The Bourne Identity), Ivan Kaye (Dark Shadows), Josh Taylor, Chelsea Edge, Darcy Isa, Emily Reid, Faye Ormston, Adam Paul Harvey, Ryan Whittle and Tom Richards.
History is repeating itself at the Ford Barrington Art School. A group of students are tormented by the lingering menace of Garth Stroman (Ivan Kaye), an artist who had a disturbing vision fifty years prior.
The pupils discover that true art can only be achieved through suffering and pain. With graduation fast approaching their celebrations turn into a twisted confrontation with medieval torture – all in the name of art…
Reviews:
“There’s a fair amount of philosophical dialogue about art imitating life and how the artist must suffer. It’s very vague and there’s little to no explanation behind any of it […] And I would’ve liked a little bit more style to how it was shot too to help give it some atmosphere and personality.” ★★ The Fright Club
“Director Mat Menony’s fusion of country-house whodunnit and slasher flick is campy without sparking much excitement. There is barely any heat in the flurry of bitching and bedhopping that serves as a preamble, the dialogue is trite across the board, and there is a will-this-do? quality to the featured artwork.” ★★ The Guardian
“This does feel like it wants to be an edgy slasher movie, but it falls into one giant problem early on. It is told by the lone survivor and this means anything that she doesn’t see, shouldn’t make sense. Sadly, this doesn’t seem to help with the creepy moments. However, when it comes to the truth, it does create an incredibly disturbing series of events.” Movie Reviews 101
” …it spends too much time fussing over the incidentals and leaving the story’s more interesting aspects left hanging. The performances are fine, but the film is a mess and at no point does this whodunnit/slasher flick thrill or have you on the edge of your seat as it should do.” ★★ My Bloody Reviews
“there’s far too much focus on the “tortured artist” aspect of the story, delving far too deeply into the lives of the students rather than focusing on the horror of the situation. Unless, of course, you think student debauchery is horrific?! In that case, End of Term will be terrifying for you! I jest, but sadly the film suffers from just not being scary enough.” ★★ Nerdly
” …more in-depth dialogue and a more profound depiction of artistic ideologies could have transcended End of Term from a mere horror narrative to a profound delve into the bleak alleys artists might tread for their craft. Despite its slight missteps, the film entwines a sinister narrative rich in thematic essence, presenting a commendable narrative in the horror genre while offering a fresh lens on the often stormy voyage of artistic exploration and expression.” ★★★ Overly Honest Movie Reviews
“There’s just no guts, no fun: everything fizzles out. The true role of art here is, arguably, to spit out a baddie to stalk the pristine corridors; everything else is just filler […] End of Term is a weak, flimsy and derivative horror which comes across as having pretensions, rather than solid ideas, which tends to feel unforgivable for many genre fans – this one included.” Warped Perspective
Release date:
In the UK, End of Term was released on Digital on October 2, 2023, by Reel 2 Reel Films.
Trailer [1080p HD]:
Filming locations:
Brighton, East Sussex, England
Selby, North Yorkshire, England
Filmed in Autumn 2016.
Horror movies featuring artists:
Art of the Dead (2018) | Muse (2017) | Crucible of Terror (1971) | Cauldron of Blood (1967) | Color Me Blood Red (1965) | A Bucket of Blood (1959)
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