31 reviews
Fun, Clever, & Gory
"Scare Campaign" is a new Slasher flick from Directors (& brothers) Colin and Cameron Cairnes. Their first film "100 Bloody Acres" was a great horror/comedy that got slightly over shadowed by "Tucker & Dale Vs Evil" due to having a similar tone/storyline. I really enjoyed their first film a lot so I was excited to see what else they had to offer, and "Scare Campaign" definitely did not disappoint.
So the storyline follows the cast and crew of a TV show called Scare Campaign (a prank show that aims to scare the hell out of it's stooge), very similar to the real life TV show Scare Tactics, they are in their fifth season and the show has gotten a bit stale so they are asked to step up their game. So the creator of the show hatches a plan to boost ratings and things don't exactly go as planned. I liked the storyline, it's kind of simple and I saw most of the twists coming from a mile away, but it's a solid backdrop for a slasher movie and kept me interested as I sat their waiting for the killing to start.
Once things get going (and they do fairly quickly) the whole thing turns into a very entertaining blood bath, just about all the kills were done really well and the gore level was pretty high. For a lower budget flick the cast, effects, etc were all very impressive. Really from start to finish "Scare Campaign" had me entertained and interested to see what would happen next. The ending could have been better though, was kind of hoping they would go another way with it but it didn't really take too much away from the film.
If you are a fan of gory slasher movies that don't take themselves too seriously then you will most likely enjoy this film, one of the better slasher flicks to come in recently.
7.5/10
So the storyline follows the cast and crew of a TV show called Scare Campaign (a prank show that aims to scare the hell out of it's stooge), very similar to the real life TV show Scare Tactics, they are in their fifth season and the show has gotten a bit stale so they are asked to step up their game. So the creator of the show hatches a plan to boost ratings and things don't exactly go as planned. I liked the storyline, it's kind of simple and I saw most of the twists coming from a mile away, but it's a solid backdrop for a slasher movie and kept me interested as I sat their waiting for the killing to start.
Once things get going (and they do fairly quickly) the whole thing turns into a very entertaining blood bath, just about all the kills were done really well and the gore level was pretty high. For a lower budget flick the cast, effects, etc were all very impressive. Really from start to finish "Scare Campaign" had me entertained and interested to see what would happen next. The ending could have been better though, was kind of hoping they would go another way with it but it didn't really take too much away from the film.
If you are a fan of gory slasher movies that don't take themselves too seriously then you will most likely enjoy this film, one of the better slasher flicks to come in recently.
7.5/10
- HorrorOverEverything
- Aug 2, 2016
- Permalink
Good But Not Great
The premise was interesting, the script started out strong and had me thinking that I had figured out what was going on quite quickly until there was a twist, but from that point on something was off with the script, disconnecting me from the previous flow of the film, and the ending, though the writers thought perhaps would be cool or leave room for a sequel, was annoying.
The acting was average as well, though I did like Ian Meadows in this. All in all, an average film, that in my opinion, missed the mark to being a good one by very little.
I would say it's worth watching if you have nothing else to do, as I can think of many movies that are worse than this one in the same genre.
The acting was average as well, though I did like Ian Meadows in this. All in all, an average film, that in my opinion, missed the mark to being a good one by very little.
I would say it's worth watching if you have nothing else to do, as I can think of many movies that are worse than this one in the same genre.
- Athanatos173
- Feb 10, 2018
- Permalink
Underrated
First half was good
Overall this was okay. Although the first 3/4ths was a lot better before the final twist that was kind of dumb and ruined the story. Plus the final spin I saw coming. I'll just leave it at that but I knew the plant before the reveal. So for awhile it worked well then it didn't as they took the twists and turns too far without a real reason to do so. I've seen a lot worse movies and this was entertaining up until the last 20 minutes or so.
- gustheaffen
- Jan 12, 2020
- Permalink
Interesting twists
Horror prank show hits upon means to "up the ante" to keep their show alive. Surprise! More is waiting for them then expected. Ending is open, but in a good way as the horror continues.
- jmbovan-47-160173
- Feb 2, 2020
- Permalink
Not terrible but it could have been a lot better
Who doesn't love a good prank gone wrong video? Where a pranker is acting like a douchebag and finally gets what's coming for them?
And here we have in a sense the movie version of just that (except more extreme of course as it is a horror) so this should technically be right up my alley.
But it just didn't quite hit the right mark.
First of all it's a little bit too silly at times, especially in the first half, where as I think it would have worked much better if they took a more serious approach.
Don't get me wrong I don't mind a good horror-comedy, but if the comedy is not funny (as in the case of this) then I prefer it to do more of the former than of the lesser.
Especially since the actual scenes of horror were fairly well- orchestrated and it had some cool twists.
The acting could have been a bit better as well, but partly of that could be because of the direction.
Had a look at the directors' resumes and it turns out that they directed '100 Bloody Acres (2012)' which I actually thought was stellar, and that was a horror-comedy as well... So it is a genre that they can do well in, in this it didn't quite come together though for some reason.
And here we have in a sense the movie version of just that (except more extreme of course as it is a horror) so this should technically be right up my alley.
But it just didn't quite hit the right mark.
First of all it's a little bit too silly at times, especially in the first half, where as I think it would have worked much better if they took a more serious approach.
Don't get me wrong I don't mind a good horror-comedy, but if the comedy is not funny (as in the case of this) then I prefer it to do more of the former than of the lesser.
Especially since the actual scenes of horror were fairly well- orchestrated and it had some cool twists.
The acting could have been a bit better as well, but partly of that could be because of the direction.
Had a look at the directors' resumes and it turns out that they directed '100 Bloody Acres (2012)' which I actually thought was stellar, and that was a horror-comedy as well... So it is a genre that they can do well in, in this it didn't quite come together though for some reason.
- Seth_Rogue_One
- Aug 4, 2016
- Permalink
A fast, fun and inventive Aussie horror/comedy
Ladies and gentleman if there was any concerns beforehand surrounding the current state of Australian horror films, then let the Cairnes Brothers Scare Campaign put any of those lingering doubts to bed as this low budget yet often ingenuous little horror treat showcases that the genre is still alive and well in our fair shores.
On the back of fellow shoestring budget films like Wrymwood and Observance and the Cairnes Brothers previous film (which sadly got lost in a huge collection of illegal downloads) 100 Bloody Acres, Scare Campaign may not be a faultless experience but it's a downright fun one and one I can see making its way to Hollywood in the form of a remake sometime in the near future.
Having a blast with their pitch black comedy elements and skewering of modern day audiences thirst for bigger and better and in the case of this particular narrative, more bloody and ruthless, the Cairnes Brothers ramp up the gore-o-meter to 11 as bodies are dismembered, sliced and diced and generally dispatched in all manner of gruesome and it must be said inventive ways as our crew of reality TV filmmakers and actors realise they've bitten off more than they can chew.
Utilising the ready-made set at their disposal in the form of an old mental hospital near the boundary line of the Victorian and New South Wales borders, the Cairnes Brothers have a ball putting their willing cast lead by Meegan Warner's actress Emma and her director/on-off boyfriend Marcus played by Ian Meadow's into a terrifying situation that more than once takes turns into the depraved and unpredictable and while the brothers script work undoubtedly needs polish, their gleeful direction clearly showcases horror fans working on a project that is passionate to them as genre aficionados.
Showing inventiveness and a wittiness not often found in films of this ilk (plus a mastery of claret spilling), Scare Campaign is a quick-fire horror experience that will leave many horror hounds thoroughly happy with what the Cairnes Brothers have served up and on the back of two promising ventures into the horror genre from the brothers now in the bag there's reason to get excited on where the duo will head to next.
3 ½ rubber guns out of 5
On the back of fellow shoestring budget films like Wrymwood and Observance and the Cairnes Brothers previous film (which sadly got lost in a huge collection of illegal downloads) 100 Bloody Acres, Scare Campaign may not be a faultless experience but it's a downright fun one and one I can see making its way to Hollywood in the form of a remake sometime in the near future.
Having a blast with their pitch black comedy elements and skewering of modern day audiences thirst for bigger and better and in the case of this particular narrative, more bloody and ruthless, the Cairnes Brothers ramp up the gore-o-meter to 11 as bodies are dismembered, sliced and diced and generally dispatched in all manner of gruesome and it must be said inventive ways as our crew of reality TV filmmakers and actors realise they've bitten off more than they can chew.
Utilising the ready-made set at their disposal in the form of an old mental hospital near the boundary line of the Victorian and New South Wales borders, the Cairnes Brothers have a ball putting their willing cast lead by Meegan Warner's actress Emma and her director/on-off boyfriend Marcus played by Ian Meadow's into a terrifying situation that more than once takes turns into the depraved and unpredictable and while the brothers script work undoubtedly needs polish, their gleeful direction clearly showcases horror fans working on a project that is passionate to them as genre aficionados.
Showing inventiveness and a wittiness not often found in films of this ilk (plus a mastery of claret spilling), Scare Campaign is a quick-fire horror experience that will leave many horror hounds thoroughly happy with what the Cairnes Brothers have served up and on the back of two promising ventures into the horror genre from the brothers now in the bag there's reason to get excited on where the duo will head to next.
3 ½ rubber guns out of 5
- eddie_baggins
- Jul 17, 2016
- Permalink
It's not a bad movie, too bad they used an open ending as a tool not to have to finish the story.
- edu_nicastro
- Jul 22, 2016
- Permalink
The best ones go off script
- nogodnomasters
- Jul 3, 2017
- Permalink
Ruined by the Ending
The movie shows so much promise at the start. Then you think it's going to decay into a cheap slasher flick when they twist it up on you and re-invent it into more of a torture horror deal. Overall, they could have gotten a lot more inventive to include real paranormal activity. Nonetheless, the twist in the middle was enough to save the movie - until the end that is.
While they did tie up the loose ends, the ending was pure nonsense - tantamount to the cop out used by the Sopranos. Totally ruined the movie for me. Had they given it a proper ending, then I would have rated this movie a 7.
While they did tie up the loose ends, the ending was pure nonsense - tantamount to the cop out used by the Sopranos. Totally ruined the movie for me. Had they given it a proper ending, then I would have rated this movie a 7.
- nysalesman
- Nov 1, 2016
- Permalink
LOW RATINGS UNNECESSARY, AND IM NOT PART OF THE CAST.
I really enjoyed this film. They were able to intensify the intensity. I'm not a avid fan of gore. I like atmosphere and suspense mostly, but they combined that up fairly well in this flick. The low ratings are unnecessary, and i am not part of the cast.
- nickeyblack35
- Feb 11, 2020
- Permalink
Fun horror flick!
I really liked it! The gore effects were great, it was suspenseful and the acting was pretty good.
You'll probably see the "twist" coming. They should have put more thought into the ending.
You'll probably see the "twist" coming. They should have put more thought into the ending.
- Lizlynn_1111
- May 28, 2022
- Permalink
Not that bad, but probably the most predictable film ever...
You can guess the "twists" in just 30 minutes, the rest is just pure entertainment
- ulrico_chuken
- Oct 1, 2018
- Permalink
Thumbs Up!
Unexpectedly nice movie. Good script, brilliant acting. Loads of Gore!
For gore horror fans, this is a definite watch.
good stuff.
- ShamisSabri
- Jan 28, 2018
- Permalink
It had several twists
- robbierobin
- Jan 20, 2020
- Permalink
Pretentious and predictable
Contrary to most reviews here, if you have seen more than a dozen horror films, no later than the 15th minute in will you be able to smell the stench of all the forthcoming twists of this poorly executed, smug, superficial, obvious flick. Not to mention the overused topic of media violence and the blurring of what's real and what's not. At the end I simply could not believe that the supposed "twists" were all this film got. Abysmal, cynical tripe.
- gruszgergely
- May 4, 2018
- Permalink
A Few Twists And Turns
Sometimes when a film goes a little overboard on trying to be hard to figure out it loses direction so much it messes up the whole thing. That's sort of what I see happening here. A prank on a prank show and a little dose of real kinda made this one come out just about even on the score card.
- wandernn1-81-683274
- Jan 3, 2020
- Permalink
You've been maimed.....
- FlashCallahan
- Aug 10, 2016
- Permalink
Masterful...
Adorably surprising, full of plot twist, a lot of blood, scares, twists, reality shows, very good idea and well executed, for more horror movies in style, the ending was a bit mushy, but nothing that got in the way of the masterful idea...
- RosanaBotafogo
- Sep 6, 2020
- Permalink
Scare Tactics Can Be Fatal!
- gwnightscream
- Jan 19, 2020
- Permalink
Predictable but fun
- ekwetherington
- Feb 23, 2021
- Permalink
100 bloody acres of TV landscape
I did enjoy the previous movie from the brothers. While it never achieved what Tucker & Dale did (no pun intended), it was a fun little movie. Though it would depend on your definition of fun I reckon. Something that can be also said about this movie right here. It is also very bloody and does not pull any punches.
But it is unfortunately very predictable. I can't imagine anyone being really surprised by the twists thrown here. Red herrings and all included, you'll see them coming. It's still set up nice and it's enjoyable enough, if you don't have problems with the amount of gore this includes and the obvious scare tactics it uses ...
But it is unfortunately very predictable. I can't imagine anyone being really surprised by the twists thrown here. Red herrings and all included, you'll see them coming. It's still set up nice and it's enjoyable enough, if you don't have problems with the amount of gore this includes and the obvious scare tactics it uses ...
A prank within a prank
- gedikreverdi
- Feb 27, 2021
- Permalink
suspense horror movies
This was a good horror movie, again negative reviews by fans of 50 shades of grey, looks like they are everywhere like masked freaks in this movie.
- afzalmethala
- Aug 30, 2018
- Permalink
Aussies attempt horror without comedy. The result is even worse than usual.