Slaughterhouse (1987)

Director: Rick Roessler

Starring: Joe B. Barton, Don Barrett, Sherry Leigh

The owner of a slaughterhouse facing foreclosure instructs his obese and mentally disabled son to go on a killing spree against the people who want to buy his property.

For many, I would imagine, ‘Slaughterhouse’ is a classic 80’s horror slasher. I’ve only just discovered this film and can’t help but wonder how I missed it back in the day. This is as 80’s a slasher horror as they come.

Lester is about to loose his property and his beloved Slaughterhouse, which he has owned for more than twenty years. Facing foreclosure, Tom Sanford makes an offer to purchase his property, but Lester refuses. After a visit by Tom, his attorney Harold Murdock and Sheriff Borden telling him he has just 30 days to vacate his property, Lester tells his simple-minded son Buddy they need to avenge them.

Teenagers Annie, Liz, Skip and Buzz are scouting for a location for their horror movie, and decide to have a look at the Slaughterhouse. Meanwhile, Sheriff Borden is getting worried about the disappearances of Kevin and Michelle (who were killed by Buddy). Soon, more people start disappearing (getting killed by Buddy) and Borden is starting to suspect foul play.

When the teenagers go to the Slaughterhouse one night as a dare, it becomes a fight for survival with Buddy – wielding a meat clever – hunting them down. Sure, ‘Slaughterhouse’ might be just another slasher movie, but the setting in the creepy slaughterhouse somehow makes it stand out. Buddy together with Lester makes an evil antagonist duo your bound to hate. The characters are likable and I rooted for Sheriff Borden and Liz, his daughter, as the protagonists.

‘Slaughterhouse’ is a worthy addition to the 80’s slasher genre.

Would I watch it again? Yes, I think so.