Rock, Paper, Scissors (2019) Review

Rock, Paper, Scissors (2019)

Directed By: Tom Holland

Starring: Luke Mcfarlane, Tatum O’Neal and Michael Madsen

Synopsis:
From the writer of Friday the 13th and the director of Child’s Play comes this tale of a serial killer that’s been cured… or has he been? Released from a mental hospital, Peter (Luke Macfarlane, “Brothers & Sisters”) is haunted by memories of childhood abuse and murder victims while being menaced by the cop who put him away (Michael Madsen, The Hateful Eight). His only friend is pretty neighbor Monica, who says she wants to interview him for a book. But does she have a more sinister motive in mind?

Review: How exciting this movie sounded when I heard of it. From the writer of Friday The 13th and director of Child’s Play. Being a massive horror movie fan, especially those of the 80’s I was hyped to see this.

The movie itself was very creepy, right from the get-go when we meet Peter – our serial killer – who just so happens to be torturing a victim. His trademark game is Rock, Paper, Scissors. It always ends in death. Peter suffered terrible abuse when he was a child, which we find out through disturbing flashbacks, which are very haunting. Luke Mcfarlane plays the role of the serial killer to a tee and the way he switches his emotions throughout, going from calm and collect to uber creepy/menacing sends chills through your body. He almost has something Norman Bates (Psycho series main villain) like about him.

Michael Madsen plays a side role of an ex-Cop. He put Peter away and doesn’t belive he is cured and is waiting for him to screw up. Madsen doesn’t have a beefy role, but he chews up every scene he is in, I really forgot how much I loved Madsen’s screen presence. The way he carries himself and the voice still make him a badass, he wears jeans, leather jacket and cowboy boots, punches Peter in the face, drinks whiskey and every other word is an expletive. I think that ticks every box on the Madsen checklist.

Lastly Jennifer Titus plays Monica, the new neighbour to Peter. She has a fascination with him and does everything to win his trust and befriend him as she wants to interview him for a book. Or does she?

The movie itself is great, it’s filled with tension and suspense, the gore level would probably be on the same standard as the first Friday the 13th movie. Victor Miller proves he can still write a gripping horror movie filled with suspense and tension you could cut with a knife. Definetly worth a watch.