Starring: Caitlin Stasey, Sianoa Smit-McPhee, Brooke Butler, Amanda Grace Cooper, Reanin Johannink, Tom Williamson, Chris Petrovski, Leigh Parker, Nicholas S. Morrison, Jordan Wilson
Directed by: Lucky McKee and Chris Sivertson
Written by: Lucky McKee and Chris Sivertson
Running time: 90 minutes
Rated: Unrated (for language, drug use, nudity, graphic violence)
Reviewed by Michael Juvinall
Lucky McKee is a talented writer and director. His previous genre efforts, May, The Woman, and his Masters of 
Horror “Sick Girl” episode have all been very interesting and showed signs of a good grasp of horror and how to tell a good tale. McKee’s co-director, Chris Sivertson does not have as much experience in the genre, but has both written and directed some decent films as well. I’m always a little reticent when I see a film directed by two people. Does it mean that one person can’t cut it and needs some help? Usually that’s not the case, but when two guys are directing together it can either mean they take the best of both their experiences and combine it together to create one really good film or it can also mean that ideas and visions can become muddled and lost between two people trying to get something on camera. I think All Cheerleaders Die is a little of both.
Back in 2001, both McKee and Sivertson co-wrote and directed their first film shot on video, it was their first attempt at All Cheerleaders Die. Apparently the two wanted to update the film and re-shoot it again, hoping for better results the second time around. I have not seen their first attempt at All Cheerleaders Die, so I cannot comment on which version is better. Does their new version of the film payoff? Read on to find out.
In the film we are introduced to Maddy (Caitlin Stasey- I, Frankenstein, Reign), a high school teenager who joins the exclusive cheerleading squad after the death of their captain. Maddy is out for revenge and looking to ruin football captain, and womanizer Terry’s (Tom Williamson-Dark Nights) school year. Maddy convinces her new cheerleading teammates Tracy (Brooke Butler), Hanna (Amanda Grace Cooper), and Martha (Reanin Johannink) to help her take down Terry.
During a party one night, Maddy intends to exact her revenge on Terry, but due to a tragic turn of events the situation gets out of control and an accident happens. Maddy’s former friend Leena (Sianoa Smit-McPhee-Firelight) who dabbles in witchcraft, has to help Maddy and her new teammates with a supernatural problem, but it doesn’t turn out exactly as planned and all hell breaks loose.
There really isn’t anything in All Cheerleaders Die that we haven’t already seen before in previous high school revenge horror movies. Yes, the supernatural element is there, but it really isn’t anything groundbreaking or new. What the filmmakers do accomplish is to make a slick, polished film that looks great, but is average at best. The film is shot well, McKee and Sivertson make it look interesting and definitely know how to design their shots.
The acting is commendable and everyone does a decent job with their roles, but nobody really stood out as being better than anyone else. The two main roles of Maddy and Leena played by Caitlin Stasey and Sianoa Smit-McPhee were by the book.
For a horror movie, there really wasn’t much that was horrific or thrilling to speak of. There was a decent ending that
I won’t spoil for you guys, but it made me want to see more. Also, for a movie about high school cheerleaders, it wasn’t as sexy as I would’ve liked. There are a few brief moments that are titillating for the audience, but there could’ve and should’ve been more. I was hoping for a little more like Jennifer’s Body, but not here.
The gore and blood quotient is fairly low here, and what bloodshed we do see is adequate. I don’t believe the filmmakers were going for a gorefest with this one, but it’s still disappointing there wasn’t a little more to spice things up a little. The gore effects are from top notch technician Robert Kurtzman who does a good job with what he’s given.
All Cheerleaders Die is not a great film and doesn’t fire on all cylinders. It misses the mark on a few key issues. The story is decent, but it could’ve been better, we’ve seen it all before. Also, the movie is not scary or frightening at all, which really knocks it down a couple of notches for me. The film is an average effort and not worth going out of your way to see. If you run across it, give it a look, otherwise let it go.
2 1/2 out of 5 Pentagrams!
Watch the trailer here,
