15 Cameras – Movie Review (3/5)

15 CAMERAS is a sequel to 14 CAMERAS which itself was a sequel to 13 CAMERAS. This 2023 movie is a worthy continuation that adds a few more layers to the original story and includes our real-life fascination with all things true crime. Read our full 15 Cameras horror movie review here!

15 CAMERAS is a new horror movie and also part of a horror franchise. It’s the sequel to 14 CAMERAS which was a sequel to the first movie about the “Slumlord” titled 13 CAMERAS. As it turns out, there are a lot more cameras than anyone ever expected. We’ve already been familiar with this fact, but it becomes more obvious.

With this third installment, the focus is on people trying to move on while the world is also caught up in true-crime. It’s all very meta as there’s a docu-series about the Slumlord serial killer in this movie. I loved it because it felt like a natural and very relevant continuation. Not just a gimmick. Of course, the cast is also very strong – even though the original Slumlord (Neville Archambault) isn’t in the movie.

Continue reading our 15 Cameras movie review below. Find the film On Demand (and in L.A. theaters) from October 13, 2023.

Too good to be true

In 15 Cameras, we meet Cam and Sky just as they’ve bought their duplex at a bargain. Fortunately, they know why it’s a bargain. While it’s almost too good to be true, there’s a reason for it. And it is the perfect investment opportunity for the young couple. They get a starter home of their own and apartments to rent out.

Of course, the reason it was a steal is quite sinister; They don’t think anyone died there, but they know it was one of the properties owned by the Slumlord. A serial killer who is presumed dead. And whose crimes are currently the subject of a very popular true crime series.

However, it works perfectly for Cam and Sky. It even has a guest room for Sky’s sister, Carolyn.

Still, the backdrop is damn creepy and it’s about to get worse. Both Sky and Cam are obsessed with their individual – and very destructive – forms of voyeurism. Once new tenants move in downstairs – two young female college students, which Cam played no small part in choosing – it goes from bad to worse. Especially Cam seems to be following a little too closely in the footsteps of the infamous Slumlord.

In loving memory of Neville Archambault

At the very end of the end credits, we find a very appropriate dedication saying “In loving memory of Neville Archambault”. He was the actor who portrayed the Slumlord serial stalker and killer in 13 Cameras and 14 Cameras. A truly wonderful actor, who played this role so perfectly. Sadly, Neville Archambault passed away on August 29, 2022.

In his place, 15 Cameras have opted for using actor James Babson and not showing his face too directly on camera more than a few times. James Babson does a great job at copying the walk and movements of Neville Archambault which results in a wonderful homage.

Also, the star of 15 Cameras is arguably Will Madden who starred in the 2022 horror-comedy Mean Spirited which had Neville Archambault in the cast as well. You may also recognize Will Madden from the awesome horror-comedy Jethica (2022), and while he is extremely annoying as Cam in 15 Cameras this is exactly what the role requires.

DO CHECK OUT

Our feature on Neville Archambault written after we had watched 13 Cameras >

We also get to see Jim Cummings and Brianne Moncrief from the previous Cameras movies. They are part of this movie because a true crime series has been made about the Slumlord serial killer. One of the main characters in 15 Cameras, Sky who is married to Cam, is obsessed with this true crime series. Especially because they live in one of the buildings he previously owned.

Sky is portrayed by Angela Wong Carbone (Resurrection), who is as annoying as Cam in the sense that they both have insanely obsessive personalities. Okay, not as annoying, but neither of them are healthy people. Sky’s sister, Carolyn, also lives with them and she’s portrayed wonderfully by Hilty Bowen. And yes, this character also has annoying traits. Basically, all three of them can be as ignorant as they are selfish.

Amber and Wren are the two college girls who also move into the building, making Cam their landlord. Amber is portrayed by Hannak McKechnie and Wren by Shirley Chen. These two portray their characters in wonderfully realistic ways. Lord, how I felt for them!

Watch 15 Cameras in select theaters or On Demand

Danny Madden is the director of 15 Cameras with a screenplay written by PJ McCabe. This is the first movie in the franchise that creator Victor Zarcoff hasn’t either written or directed. He wrote and directed the first one, 13 Cameras, and then handed over directing to Seth Fuller and Scott Hussion for the second movie, 14 Cameras. With this third installment, he is “only” attached as a producer.

Personally, I adored the first one because it felt so fresh and well-made. Also, Neville Archambault was just perfect. The second movie still had a lot going for it, but didn’t quite meet my expectations. With 15 Cameras, I didn’t have too many expectations other than entertainment.

To my surprise, this one got quite close to the levels of the first one. In different ways and with more dark humor, but still. If you’ve enjoyed one or both of the first two movies, you absolutely have to check out this third one. As annoying as I found Will Madden’s Cam, he also felt eerily familiar. That is exactly what makes this work as a horror movie in a different way that feels even more realistic!

We are so very close to a 4 out of 5 rating, but it doesn’t quite reach the level of the first one. It’s at least at 3½ out of 5 though!

15 Cameras is out in theaters in Los Angeles and On Demand from Friday the 13th of October, 2023.

Details

Director: Danny Madden
Writer: PJ McCabe
Cast: Will Madden, Angela Wong Carbone, Hilty Bowen, James Babson, Shirley Chen, Hannah Mckechnie, Skyler Bible, Courtney Dietz, Erik Leupp, Donna Allen, Brianne Moncrief, Jim Cummings, Stephen Ruffin