Talk about a blessing and a curse. The Fangoria-produced Porno has a title that’s all but guaranteed to attract a cross-over audience. Alternatively, horror fans seeking out Porno may have a hard time finding the right movie as opposed to … well, pornography. Regardless of its title, the 2020 horror comedy fuses together two things that have always worked in unison with one another in horror – sex and violence. Slasher movies have mixed sex and violence – sometimes as conservative parable and other times as self-aware satire – to great effect. Unfortunately, COVID-19 stonewalled the Porno release and, as a result, if fell off the radar.
Synopsis
Set in the 1990s, five teens struggle with the expectations of their conservative Christian small town while working in the local movie theater. When their boss, Mr. Pike, leaves Chaz in charge, he tells the staff they can stay after hours to watch a movie – A League of Their Own or Encino Man. But the teens discover a strange, old reel in the theater basement – a vintage pornographic movie – and decide to rebel and watch it instead. However, something’s is immediately very strange about this movie. And soon after watching it, the teens discover they’ve unleased a succubus – a seductive demon.
Porno Uses Demonic Terror to Skewer Its Target – Puritanical Beliefs
Horror movies set in theaters have a sparse but surprisingly good track record (see Demons or Popcorn). While it’s only director Keola Racela’s first feature-length effort, Porno proves to be a fun mix of horror and comedy, a difficult combination to get right. It helps that Racela is working from Matt Black (Umma) and Laurence Vannicelli’s (Mother, May I) clever screenplay. Arguably, one of Porno’s strengths is just how well it skewers the hypocrisy of American religious fundamentalism. Just the concept of a succubus terrorizing naïve teens and religious extremists seems ripe with potential.
Arguably, one of Porno’s strengths is just how well it skewers the hypocrisy of American religious fundamentalism.
Indeed, it’s the dark humor that most consistently hits the mark in this horror-comedy. Nothing about Porno’s story is necessarily surprising or fresh as its targets are pretty much expected. No one’s likely to be shocked when good-looking alpha male ‘Ricky’ turns out to be gay … and secretly returning from a conversion camp. Nor is the revelation that theater manager Mr. Pike – an outwardly devout man – turns out to be a lecherous pervert. Still they’re timely targets for a time where conservative puritanism feels like its rising. And the humor consistently hits its mark from start to finish.
Porno Benefits From Good Practical Effects, Likeable Cast
Like the dark humor, Porno nails – or mostly nails – its horror. For its first act, Racela focuses more on introducing her characters and table-setting. As a result, the horror-comedy feels like it drags its feet for a bit too long. In fact, Porno somewhat underwhelms on its over-the-top horror bits with a smaller-than-expected body count. That’s not to say this needed to mimic slasher or splatter movies to achieve its effect. Nevertheless, the practical effects, which far exceed the budget, don’t get as much exposure as one might have hoped. What Porno delivers, however, is equal parts gross and hilarious. When the succubus explodes someone’s testicles, it’s done in imaginatively vivid detail.
Nevertheless, the practical effects, which far exceed the budget, don’t get as much exposure as one might have hoped. What Porno delivers, however, is equal parts gross and hilarious.
Most of the scares are on the light side – quick and safe jolts in keeping with the movie’s amicable tone. But the ‘vintage porn’ movie itself proves to a rather creepy set of vignettes somewhat reminiscent of the cut video log from Event Horizon. It’s the one part of the movie that diverges tonally from the rest of Porno. Another strength of the horror-comedy is its young cast. Most of the actors are unknowns but they perfectly capture the naivete of small-town teens, looking and talking like actual adolescents. It’s a likeable cast that immediately earns audience investment lending the movie at least something of an emotional hook.
Porno Mostly Nails Its Horror-Comedy Take on Puritanical Hypocrisy
Maybe Porno takes a winding path to get to the good stuff. Certainly, it feels like there was more carnage and holy terror left on the table. Yet Racela’s pacing also fits with the movie’s surprisingly amicable cast and take on the subject. While they’re not used as frequently as you might expect or hope, the practical gore effects are impressive and wildly over-the-top. All of the young cast are likeable, fun, and – unlike many teen horror movies – feel like actual teenagers. And its snarky take on religious puritanism ensures Porno will hold up to repeat viewings.