THE 6th FRIEND *** U.S.A. 2016 Dir: Letia Clouston 85 mins
Six female college friends celebrate their graduation by throwing their own private party. As an extra treat, one of the girls invites her dealer along to experiment with a few psychedelic drugs. At first it all seems pretty friendly but as the drink and drug abuse continues hilarity gives way to violence and murder as the dealer oversteps the mark. Five years on and the girls attempt to rekindle their friendship by going away together to a cabin situated in some woods where they find themselves being hunted by something or someone from their past. This plays out as a very typical slasher but has a slight paranormal element to it as well which lends a few effective plot twists to the mix. It has equal measures of cheesy one liners, dodgy acting and some great kills which levels it out quite nicely. With the director and the main six cast members being female it certainly showcases some promising talent, it’s well written and directed but it’s not without its cringey moments and panicky dialogue “hope you can run 70 mph dick face”. Written by and starring Jamie Bernadette (4/20 MASSACRE & MIDNIGHT, TEXAS) as mopey addict Joey, Chantelle Albers as ambitious fame hungry Melissa not forgetting the crazy one, the intellectual, the cute one and the firey one; they’re like the Spice Girls of the slasher scene! I found these characters fairly standard and predictable but not unwholly dislikeable. Well acted for the most part but it’s not Jamie Bernadettes finest performance, in my opinion she came across rather two dimensional. The FX, stunts and kills are well executed and despite it’s flaws it keeps your attention and becomes a pretty good indie slasher. I wasn’t entirely sure I was going to like it as it started but by the end I was pleasantly surprised.
Review by Sarah Budd