Movie Review – Dead Hooker in a Trunk

Dead Hooker in a Trunk.

That’s a hell of an evocative title, especially considering the actual state of the hooker in question, but the events that whirl up around her make this trip worth it. Let us be straight, right from the start: this is very much a b-movie, a passion product shot on no budget but made workable from an inversion of tropes, a completely insane narrative, strong performances, and a short sojourn into madness that viewers may not recover from.

Some might criticize the simplicity of this film; the main characters don’t even have names, not really. They have titles – the Badass, the Geek, the Junkie, and the Goody Two-Shoes round out our protagonists. The villain of the piece is identified only as the Killer, though Cowboy Pimp certainly leaves an impression. The trick is that these characters don’t need names. We know who they are, and the performances give what we have just enough depth to make this strange journey an almost believable one.

The story is simple. The Badass and the Junkie join the Badass’ twin sister in picking up the Goody Two-Shoes from church. The four of them go to get drugs and find a dead hooker in the trunk of their car. The resulting bloodbath happens because the Junkie needs drugs and the Badass is willing to indulge her friend, because people with descriptors like the Badass and especially the Junkie are not going to make Good Life Choices.

Hilarity ensures. Chainsaws, guns, and horses are involved. A person’s arm is stitched back on with fishing wire. A case of mistaken identity leads to a horrific torture scene and, finally, a twist ending that ends with evil being punished and no one learning anything. Sure, some of the characters grow as people. And, yes, the camera work and direction in this is tight. Technically speaking, this is a very sound film that is worthy of the attention it gets.

It’s just, that’s the film itself. Anyone can review the film’s story and prowess, both of which are fine and fun and whatever. We’re a little more interested in what the film does, which is a little more complex.

What this film does is was kickstart the Soska Sisters, Jen and Sylvia, who wrote, directed, and acted in this movie with a wild abandon that infuses every flickering frame. It immediately establishes them as people that are ready, willing, and able to do what they have to in order to get the film made and the job done.

See, a lot of people will talk about making movies or following their passions or whatever, but the Twisted Twins sat down and worked it out and actually did it. They worked out and shot a feature film that is genre- and trope-bending and is a hell of a ride, then marketed it, distributed it, and made a culture out of it. Hell, they made careers out of it, because it’s impossible to look at this movie and not see the raw talent these two bring to the table.

And, here’s the weird thing – they’re making the world a better place by doing it. Yes, they work in horror, that most maligned of genres, but the stories they tell and the way they tell them pushes an inclusive philosophy that recognizes the evils of hypocrisy, stasis, and exclusion.

It all starts here, and once you start watching it’s impossible not to follow this trip through to it’s final weird conclusion.

The Good: The camera work and direction. There’s some moments, especially in the action sequences, that border on brilliance. The characters and progression of story are unlike anything else you will ever see. The inversion of tropes and the demonization of hypocrisy.The Bad: This was shot for less than $3000, but looks like it was shot for more money – but not much more. Plot progression is weird as hell, and those that don’t like grindhouse or b-movies need not apply.

The Verdict: An incredible start to what’s destined to be a storied career that’s going to be marred by those who don’t like the grindhouse genre. Screw those people. They are bad people who do not like fun. This is awesome, the best sort of Troma-like masterpiece.