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MadTV in its prime had a sketch involving a mannequin killer in which Michael McDonald would hilariously stalk consumers in a store and abruptly freeze when someone took notice of him approaching. The sketch is surprisingly creepy and somehow lands its laughs effortlessly thanks to McDonald's comedic sensibilities. Bitch Ass is a film that is neither a sketch nor a comedy (at least not a good one), that aims to be the newest addition to the B-horror slasher films but instead comes across as a MadTV sketch that feels unintentionally funny. One might even suggest David Pumpkins from SNL balances horror and comedy more seamlessly.
While Bitch Ass attempts to be in the same ball game as other horror hits such as Tales from the Hood and Candyman (even saying it directly to our faces by Tony Todd himself), this serial killer is excessively outmatched by the titans before him.
As the film begins, Tony Todd sets the film up similarly to how Joe Bob Briggs introduces horror films. Only here, Todd is playing a fictional horror movie connoisseur named Titus Darq. And as he does so, he sets the stage by explaining to the audience that they need to prepare themselves for the next great villain in horror films while name-dropping Tales from the Hood, Candyman, and The People Under the Stairs. As he plays the VHS tape, audiences are introduced to the events of the film.
The actual narrative centers around a group of youths being recruited to rob a house. The mastermind behind this crime is a gang leader named Spade (Sheaun McKinney), who is enforcing this duty on a group of prospects as their initiation to join. As he calls it, the "666 night" to join 6th street. At the center of these recruits is Q (Teon Kelley), a high schooler that only wants to help his mother who is working two jobs to survive.
As night falls, the recruits approach the house, they see strange things such as a shed that has the label "Game House." And well, long story made short, they break into the home of an unsuspecting psycho named Bitch Ass (Tunde Laleye).
From here, the gang recruits begin getting picked off one by one as the heavyset mask-wearing killer ensnares them into his trap, followed by forcing them to play a game to live or die, like Jigsaw but the games are based on classic board games (Operation, Connect Four, etc.) Between the persona of the villain and his choice of classic games for killing people, the execution is completely void of being scary. If anything, the killer feels like a character that might have worked on a sketch show like In Living Color or MadTV. It's silly to a fault which might be the point but if so, it's not willing to fully embrace the ridiculous premise offered.
Director Bill Posley has the visuals down. The camera style is solid and he even plays with aspect ratios in fun ways throughout Bitch Ass. The issue is the willingness to commit to a serious slasher or a laughable one. And he never quite finds the right balance in both. And if a balance of both can not be met, one has to go all-in on one of these tones whether it's comedy-horror or elevated horror. That said, Posley's direction shows room for growth and potential if he can find the right script.
Thematically the film does tackle some issues such as bullying and what that does to someone over time. The film has flashbacks to what made Bitch Ass become a monster. And seeing the bullied get payback undoubtedly brings a level of catharsis. It's a trope that although overdone does give some sympathy to the killer. However, if the serial killer did not feel like a parody of sorts, this would have landed better. Because the character does not feel real, it removes some of the connections that could have existed otherwise.
Beyond the antagonist, Posley put together some solid fresh talent here. Teon Kelley is the film's central character that we are supposed to be rooting for. He has mostly starred in short films and considering this, he does an exceptional job carrying the material he is given. The rest of the gang recruitees are great here as well including a character named Moo, played by A-F-R-O, who honestly deserved more screentime and Belle Guillory's role of Cricket has an entertaining bout with the titular killer as well. Regardless of the film's quality, these talents have bright futures ahead of them.
The talent and potential are present in Bitch Ass. And for a first full-length horror feature, there are far worse offerings in the land of indie horror. Posley still has time to mature his mistakes here. It may not rise to the ambitious challenge it sets up for itself by being as inspired as Tales from the Hood or Candyman. Not everyone can be Jordan Peele and make Get Out as their debut film. But it's important to remember, even James Cameron made Piranha 2 before The Terminator.
Bitch Ass made its world premiere at SXSW 2022 and is currently seeking distribution.