Slaxx
Director: Elza Kephart
Writer: Patricia Gomez, Elza Kephart
Cast: Romane Denis, Brett Donahue, Sehar Bhojani, Kenny Wong, Tianna Nori, Erica Anderson, Stephen Bogaert, Jonathan Emond
Part of: SLASH Filmfestival
Seen on: 26.9.2020
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Plot:
Libby (Romane Denis) is excited to start her job at the trendiest, most fashionable clothing store in existence – and just before their new line of jeans is set to be revealed. It is a special night indeed as the staff prepares the store for the new line after it closed. Not only does the owner of the franchise, Harold Landsgrove (Stephen Bogaert) drop by for a visit, they are also expecting influencer Peyton Jules (Erica Anderson) who will get an exclusive look at the new pants to stream to her followers. But when it turns out that the new pants are out for blood, things take an unexpected turn.

Slaxx had a difficult position in the day’s schedule as the fourth film of a quadruple feature – but it had no problems to keep my attention at all. I really enjoyed it – both the absurd premise and the serious core behind that silliness.

Slaxx is not just a film about literal killer pants, but it is also a film about the problems with the fashion industry as we live it right now: the overproduction and overconsumption of clothes where so many clothes are worn only once or just a very few times; the globalized network of exploitation that comes along with it; as well as the greenwashing of it all. There is a lot that’s problematic here, and Slaxx manages to touch on pretty much all of it.

But it is also a whole lot of fun. I mean, it is a film about killer pants, for crying out loud and they really make everything from that premise that they could make. The way the pants move and kill is really great – and when they dance, it is an absolute highlight of the film. I thought I would die from laughing.

Since the film is heavily loaded with political criticism and basically calls for activism, the ending is a little depressing. Not unrealistic, I’m afraid, but I was hoping for a more “let’s do something about this” tone for the end, instead of the “everything is doomed” flair that we got.

But other than that, I really have no criticism. It is a hilarious film with a political message that lets me feel very good with my choice to wear clothes until they are literally falling apart (it’s activism, not laziness or disinterest in fashion, baby). That’s good entertainment in my eyes.

Summarizing: Excellent fun.