I was a little nervous going into my viewing of Weird on Top Pictures and Birdland Pictures’ Straight Edge Kegger. Obviously I’m not put-off by independent titles, because that’s our thing here at HorrorSociety.com, but Straight Edge Kegger relies so heavily on punk rock music and culture that I wasn’t sure if I was going to “get it.” Seriously, I jam out to Britney Spears while doing my work for this website, and that’s probably the farthest thing from the material I watched here. Luckily, writer/director/producer/editor Jason Zink is a truly talented film-maker, with the innate capability to reel an audience into a story whether they can relate to the subject matter or not. Sure, horror was the underlying theme that linked me to Straight Edge Kegger in the first place, but it was Jason’s decision making skills behind the camera that made me a fan of his work. In a pleasing mix of The Purge and Black Roses (1988), Straight Edge Kegger finds a young punk, a care-free band, and a houseful of drunks as they are besieged by a small group of militant nerds (not Zink’s wording…). Now, it’s a battle for survival that no one saw coming. Counter culture and counter measures collide in an exciting, blood-soaked thrill-ride starring Cory Kays, Sean Jones, Evelyn Reidy, Julio Alexander, Travis Givens, Jason Zink, Warren Aitken, Joseph Bachan, Keaton Bresnahan and Kendal Romero.
I honestly cannot champion this movie enough. It’s no surprise to me that it’s already an award winning film despite just beginning its official film festival run. Speaking of which, if you see Straight Edge Kegger playing at Milwaukee Twisted Dreams or Windy City Horrorama next month, literally jump at the chance to see it. I guarantee that you will not disappointed. The thing I like the most about Straight Edge Kegger is that it’s so much better than it has any right to be. For an independent film, the camera work is absolutely beautiful and the acting is some of the best that I’ve seen so far this year. Jason Zink really put together a fantastic and capable cast and crew, including producer Shelby Barbee and cinematographers Christopher Purdy and Elliott Abel, and came out with a title that I can’t wait to own on DVD one day. Jason came up with a simple story, built that world with a talented behind-the-scenes crew, and let it fly and rift with Cory Kays, Sean Jones and Evelyn Reidy in a way that’s so invigorating to me, as someone who does movie reviewers on a daily basis. THIS is the type of material I want to see more. Where the mood is palpable as fuck, and where you get a complete – although somewhat musical – experience. Don’t be surprised if Straight Edge Kegger shows up on my best of 2019 list next year.
According to Zink, Straight Edge Kegger was inspired by the punk scene and the golden grindhouse flicks of yesteryear. And I actually FEEL that. I don’t think Jason is poising or claiming to be a part of groups that he doesn’t live and breathe. This is 100% opposite of Don’t Go in the Woods (2010). As hokey as it sounds, I can feel the love for dark thrillers radiating through the scenes of Straight Edge Kegger. This movie is so much more than “sex, drugs and rock and roll,” even though it does have a little bit of that. Straight Edge Kegger is the perfect mix of indie horror and punk rock. It starts as a traditional story, maybe even a coming-of-age story, all-be-it a grungy, dramatic one; just before it flips the script and becomes a horror-thriller with blood, suspense and action. I have to say, though, that I didn’t invest in any of the characters because I was so in awe of everything else going on on-screen. It’s also more thriller than in your face horror. I don’t know if that hurts or hinders this movie, but I’m trying to find something – anything! – that I can to be fairly judgmental and give constructive criticism on. But there isn’t anything. Straight Edge Kegger is a surprising, future best seller and I cannot wait to see where it ends up. Visually pleasing, sensory defusing and a head banging, wild ride. Fucking loved it. Final Score: 9 out of 10.
