Sunday Scary: The Slayer (1982)

There’s something about The Slayer that sticks with you, even if it doesn’t entirely work as a cohesive film. It’s strange, it’s unsettling, and it feels like it’s operating in its own little world of low-budget '80s horror. Directed by J.S. Cardone, this is one of those movies that’s more about the vibe than the story—and what a vibe it has.

The plot is deceptively simple. Kay, an artist haunted by nightmares, goes on vacation to a remote island with her brother and their significant others. From the get-go, you can tell things are off. The island is desolate, battered by storms, and drenched in a kind of quiet menace. It doesn’t take long before Kay’s dreams start bleeding into reality, leading to a string of eerie deaths and a creeping sense of dread.

What The Slayer nails is atmosphere. The island setting is a masterstroke—a windswept, foggy wasteland that feels like it’s actively trying to swallow the characters whole. The cinematography leans into this, playing with shadows and isolating the characters in ways that make you feel their vulnerability. The film moves slowly, sometimes frustratingly so, but that pacing works to build an oppressive tension that doesn’t let up until the final act.

The scares here aren’t about jumpy moments or relentless gore. Instead, they’re quieter, weirder. The titular “Slayer” isn’t your typical masked killer; it’s more of a monstrous force that feels plucked from a fever dream. And that’s the strength of this film—it’s dreamlike in the way it unfolds, teetering between reality and hallucination in a way that keeps you off balance.

But for all its strengths, The Slayer isn’t without flaws. The acting is passable at best, and the characters don’t leave much of an impression. The dialogue can feel stiff, and the story sometimes feels like it’s treading water. And while the dream-versus-reality theme is intriguing, it doesn’t quite dig as deep as it could.

Still, there’s something captivating about it. It’s the kind of movie that lingers in your mind long after it’s over, even if you can’t quite put your finger on why. If you’re in the mood for a slow, moody horror film that’s more about atmosphere than action, The Slayer is worth a look. It’s a film that understands the power of quiet, creeping terror—and sometimes, that’s exactly what you want on a stormy Sunday night.