RANDOM ACTS OF VIOLENCE is a new Shudder horror movie about a serial killer. Jesse Williams stars alongside Jordana Brewster and writer-director Jay Baruchel. Read our full Random Acts of Violence movie review here!

RANDOM ACTS OF VIOLENCE is a new horror movie on Shudder. It’s about the comic book serial killer ‘Slasherman’ and a real-life copycat. This alone makes for some brutal murders and a whole lot of blood spill.

Jesse Williams stars alongside Jordana Brewster, Niamh Wilson, and the movie’s writer-director Jay Baruchel. There are some truly awesome moments in this movie, but it is ultimately too slow and predictable.

Continue reading our Random Acts of Violence movie review below.

All about the comic book serial killer “Slasherman”

I usually really like Jesse Williams but in Random Acts of Violence, he just feels off. In particular, I noticed this weird “crazy staring eyes”-look that seemed to become his “go-to” in several instances. Usually, he elevates the movies he’s in, but that’s not the case here.

Having just seen Jesse Williams be amazing in the Jacob’s Ladder remake, which was otherwise pretty terrible, he does nothing good for this one. That’s not to say that he makes it worse. But he doesn’t help it be better either.

You might like: Read our review of Jacob’s Ladder (2019) starring Jesse Williams here >

Neither does Jordana Brewster (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning) but that’s mostly because her character isn’t very fleshed out. The same could be said for Jay Baruchel (She’s Out of My League). However, his character is more of a sidekick with a few quippy lines here and there.

However, I would say Niamh Wilson does a lot of good for Random Acts of Violence. She should be familiar to most horror fans since she’s been in several Saw movies. Starting with Saw III.

The very concept of a serial killer inspiring a comic book character called “Slasherman” is pretty sick in and of itself. Especially when the serial killer has yet to be trapped. This also means it’s rather easy to guess what’s going on when the murders being again (and are copied from the Slasherman comic book).

Random Acts of Violence – Shudder Review

Watch Random Acts of Violence on Shudder!

The movie is based on the comic by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti, which I am admittedly not familiar with. This is the second feature film for Jay Baruchel as a writer and director.

Jay Baruchel wrote the screenplay with Jesse Chabot who previously wrote the script for Good: Last fo the Enforcers (2017). That particular movie was also the first time directing a feature film for Baruchel. Overall, I can definitely see a cool style and vibe in Random Acts of Violence.

As a whole, however, this movie just isn’t nearly as strong as it could have been. For one, it feels too long and with a runtime of just 80 minutes, this really shouldn’t be the case. On the other hand, you should be very happy if you’re a fan of slasher movies. Random Acts of Violence does have awesome scenes in that regard.

Just be ready for some rather extreme changes in both tone and style. From a slasher movie to an almost artsy psychological horror. And back. Both parts show potential but mixed together, it doesn’t work for me.

Random Acts of Violence is out on Shudder from August 20, 2020. It will also be released on VOD & DVD on February 16, 2021.

Details

Director: Jay Baruchel
Writers: Jay Baruchel, Jesse Chabot, Justin Gray (comic), Jimmy Palmiotti (comic)
Stars: Jesse Williams, Jordana Brewster, Jay Baruchel, Simon Northwood, Isaiah Rockcliffe, Niamh Wilson, Clark Backo

Plot

Comic book creator Todd Walkley (Jesse Williams), his wife Kathy (Jordana Brewster), assistant Aurora (Niamh Wilson) and best friend, Hard Calibre Comics owner Ezra (Jay Baruchel), embark upon a road trip from Toronto to NYC comic con and bad things start to happen—people start getting killed. It soon becomes clear that a crazed fan is using Todd’s “SLASHERMAN” comic as inspiration for the killings and as the bodies pile up, and Todd’s friends and family become victims themselves, Todd will be forced to take artistic responsibility.

I write reviews and recaps on Heaven of Horror. And yes, it does happen that I find myself screaming, when watching a good horror movie. I love psychological horror, survival horror and kick-ass women. Also, I have a huge soft spot for a good horror-comedy. Oh yeah, and I absolutely HATE when animals are harmed in movies, so I will immediately think less of any movie, where animals are harmed for entertainment (even if the animals are just really good actors). Fortunately, horror doesn't use this nearly as much as comedy. And people assume horror lovers are the messed up ones. Go figure!
Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard
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