Is The Greasy Strangler a horror movie? Not really, but I’m still going to feature it for 31 Days of Gore. It’s worth noting it was produced by Elijah Wood, who’s bullish on horror. He’s gone so far as to appear in a remake of Maniac, which I’ve yet to see (and probably never will), but any actor who’s a supporter of the genre is cool in my book.
Brayden and his father, Big Ronnie, live together in a rundown home and work as horrible tour guides. Ronnie, who was a disco king before he knocked up Brayden’s mother, points out locations around town, dubiously telling tourists that’s where a famous band came up with an idea for a song. When one of his customers insists the brochure advertised free drinks, Ronnie becomes irate. Later, he’ll slather himself in grease, strangle the tourist until his eyes pop out, then walk through a car wash to clean up.
Brayden’s not the smartest guy in the world. He knows the serial killer known as the Greasy Strangler is murdering people in and around his neighborhood. He knows his father has an unusual love for greasy foods. Try as he might, Brayden just can’t put two and two together. When Brayden meets his first ever girlfriend (Elizabeth De Razzo), Big Ronnie moves in on her and threatens to evict Brayden if he objects.
Every aspect of The Greasy Strangler is crafted to annoy. The acting is intentionally bad. The dialogue is abrasive (“Bullshit artist!”). Quiet scenes are sandwiched in between blaring electronic music while the fearless actors appear nude more than they wear clothes. The editing is so offbeat that a lingering shot can rub you the wrong way, like a sneeze that won’t come out. This is a movie for people who enjoy crunching ice, savoring the way it drives a loved one up the wall.
My favorite thing about The Greasy Strangler was the reaction to the trailer in the YouTube comments: equal parts bewilderment and outrage. If you’re a John Waters fan, you’ll love it (I am and I did). Otherwise, avoid it at all costs. It’s rather like watching a big screen adaptation of a 4chan greentext.
My favorite scene involves a detective by the name of Jody. I won’t give it away because it’s a what-the-fuck moment that stands out in a movie full of what-the-fuckery. Shortly before the end, the movie tops itself by what-the-fucking in the grandest way possible. You get the feeling the writers were trying their hardest to top each other. I really don’t think they gave a shit if anybody else in the world got it.
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