DIRECTOR: MJ DIXON | STARRING: DAVID HON MA CHU, ORIANA CHARLES, DANI THOMPSON | RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
It’s Arielle’s first day at top law-firm Killmore and Percival, a day that marks a fresh start for the ex-stripper whose keen to get away from a life surrounded by sex-crazed chauvinist pigs. Unfortunately for her, she winds up on the Sixth Floor, surrounded by men that make Harvey Weinstein look like Mister Tumble. As the lads settle in for a drink and drug-fuelled office party (complete with high-class exotic dancers), Arielle does her best to make a good impression while keeping out of their way. Then a psychopathic quick-witted guy in a panda mask turns up and makes mincemeat out of them, one by one.
Pandamonium marks the 8th release in director MJ Dixon’s shared universe horror anthology and it’s clear to see that the micro-budget filmmaker is really starting to own the genre. What stands out best is the script, blending Arielle’s pathos-filled journey with a very ‘90s-feeling stalk and slash (with a ton of purposefully cringy one-liners from panda head). As ever, Dixon also manages to walk the careful line of writing strong female characters, while ensuring they more often than not end up on the end of the slasher’s blade.
Being a low-budget film does come with understandable drawbacks though and you’ll have to forgive some of the less than stellar performances from a few of the cast (generally the smaller roles suffer the worst). Likewise, the editing could be a touch tighter and the cinematography a little slicker but since Dixon covers all creative basis on his productions, there’s plenty of slack afforded. What remains is a very entertaining tour-de-force in low budget horror that ticks all the right boxes and leaves you wanting more. Which is just as well as the mid and end credit scenes tease just that.
A highly recommended entry in the Mychoverse series that makes you want to go back to the start with Slasher House all over again!
