Blu-Ray Review: Sleepaway Camp

By Brad Henderson

Scream Factory has blessed us with the Blu-Ray of another slasher from the ’80s. Sleepaway Camp is probably the most spoiled horror film to date. I imagine there are people who still haven’t seen it, so I will keep this spoiler free. I don’t agree with the idea that “it’s been out for X amount of years” because we all miss shit. Even I have a number of popular films I haven’t seen yet and I consider myself a huge film buff. We all have those unseen movies and we will eventually get to them.

The Sleepaway Camp films have always been favorites of mine, the sequel more than the original, but the first film hit some notes that other films were not doing at that time and still have shied away from. Even if you haven’t seen Sleepaway Camp you probably know about the ending and I know a few people who haven’t watched it because of that reason. I have always told them to watch it anyway because it is something that has to be seen to be believed. Not only is it shocking, but it is also is presented in a sinister way so that even if you know what’s coming, it will still shock the hell out of you.

Not only is the ending crazy but there are also plenty of absurdities throughout the film that will leave you scratching your head. There are many moments throughout the film that push limits and some that are just bizarre and don’t fit in. They do work overall but they don’t fit the tone and kind of step out of bounds. It is refreshing to see a slasher do something so unique and weird for a change, though, and it is what separates this film from the rest. Just because of a few moments and an epic ending, Sleepaway Camp will be a film that is never forgotten or lost.

As usual, Scream Factory put together a beautiful package for this release. Anchor Bay did a box set years ago that was pretty fantastic but the HD upgrade for this really steals the show. One thing that this release has the others don’t is an outstanding featurette that includes interviews with most of the actors in the film. It shows the more heartfelt side of the actors and why the film is so special to them. You can tell Sleepaway Camp was a blast to make and that it has molded these actors into who they are today. It was touching to hear Felissa Rose speak about how much this film has done for her career and how important it is to her. Featurettes like this make the film a little more special than they already are and this is the type of thing that pulls a release together.

Scream Factory’s releases are always great but this one felt a little different. Thanks again, Scream Factory. I hope they jump onto the whole franchise because Sleepaway Camp II is one of the best horror sequels ever.

Sleepaway Camp will be released on Blu-Ray from Scream Factory on May 27.