Film Review: Among Friends

Back in May of 2012, I learned of an Indiegogo campaign to raise money for Danielle Harris’ (Halloween 4 & 5, Rob Zombie’s Halloween I & II) directorial debut, Among Friends. As most of you already know, I am a die-hard Danielle Harris fan so, naturally, I jumped at the opportunity to support her. My contribution earned me a DVD copy of the film when it was released as well as a postcard autographed by some of the cast members and Danielle.

Here we are, over a year later and the film has finally been released. I have avoided reading reviews and I avoided advanced screenings for the exact moment when I could sit here on my couch, pop in my personal copy and get a fresh perspective on a film made by my favorite actress.

Six friends are invited to an ’80s prom-themed dinner party at the home of Bernadette (Alyssa Lobit). Each friend, dressed in their best 80’s attire, is picked up by a limousine at their home. There seems to be one friend missing from the group, who isn’t mentioned on the party list.
Upon arrival, they learn that this is a murder mystery party. A friend is missing and one of them is a killer. They must search the house for clues to find who the killer is and what happened to their friend. Once the clues, which are small body parts in Ziploc bags, are found, they rally for dinner where they each get a cryptic present that only Bernadette seems to understand. Soon they realize that their punch is spiked and none of them can move their bodies from the waist down, with the exception of their host.

The game has changed. Everyone is about to understand their mystery gift and the secrets each one of them holds to earn them a spot at this table of doom. What are a few secrets among friends?

Danielle Harris does a fantastic job of capturing that ’80s horror feel with a modern day twist. Among Friends is a twisted bloodbath of fun that is reminiscent of Clue meets Happy Birthday to Me meets April Fool’s Day, without the joke ending.

Just when you think you might feel bad for one of them, something is revealed to make you change your tune. Everyone’s punishment fits their crime, with the exception of one, whose voyeurism received a questionably fitting punishment. It was entertaining, nonetheless.

Among the cast are horror regulars Jennifer Blanc-Biehn and A.J. Bowen. There are also cameos by Michael Biehn, Danielle Harris dressed in her Jamie Lloyd (Halloween 4) clown costume and Jason Voorhees himself, Kane Hodder. The film’s writer, Alyssa Lobit, even plays the role of Bernadette, an exceptionally emotionless psychopathic killer.

Fans of 80’s slasher horror will absolutely love this film. This Anchor Bay release is available on DVD and VOD now but make sure you sit through the credits as there is a little something extra you might want to see.