Customer Reviews
Have fun. Celebrate death. 
2008-10-05
Ahhh, I should have seen that ending coming, heh-heh.
Sleepaway Camp is a surprisingly solid 80's slasher. I love how it captures the goofy vibe of the decade--hairstyles, short shorts, half-shirts etc...
It also probably drew a little blood from Friday the 13th. Campers getting mercilessly bludgeoned and/or stabbed to death. The murders aren't really gruesome. They might make you wince a bit and laugh even more. Good times.
This is a cult classic with one of the greatest sick surprise endings ever! Thanks to my friends for pointing this one out. 3.5 stars.
Banned in some countries 
2008-09-17
This movie is banned in some countries, but not because it is explicit or nasty. It is banned because the government of these countries wants to save its citizens from watching a very poor horror film. It just doesn't cut it. If you want bad acting, bad sets, bad special effects and ages between things happening, then watch SLEEPAWAY CAMP. This is in my top 5 of the worst horror films of all time. People here will rave about the shock ending. They obviously haven't seen decent films like "Crying Game". I wondered why I had never heard of this movie because I thought I knew alot of about the genre. So you can imagine how I felt when I finally got to see it the other day. It is that bad! Avoid at all costs.
Must see 80's slasher, 3.5 stars! 2008-09-11
Sleepaway Camp, sound like a bad attempt to rip off Friday the 13th? I personally doubt this ever would have been made had it not been for the Friday series paving the way, but this movie surprisingly rises above a lot of others that tried the same thing and is worthy of its reputation as one of the more notable 80's slashers.
We begin with a brief background of our heroine Angela and how she narrowly survives a violent childhood tragedy. Now as an adolescent, she and her cousin Ricky are off to Sleepaway Camp for the summer. Once at camp, the awkward and silent Angela quickly becomes the focus of ridicule amongst her fellow campers and even some of the counselors with only her cousin to defend her. However, when campers and staff alike begin meeting grisly deaths at the hands of an unknown killer, the movie becomes a camp themed who-dunnit for the viewer. Though finding out who the killer is may not come as much of a shock, another little detail revealed at the conclusion makes this a movie that you won't be forgetting anytime soon, and that's a gaurantee.
As far as the acting goes, there aren't many positive things to say. Lets face it, hordes of teens with New York accents cursing like sailors doesn't make for the most enjoyable viewing experience. The death scenes in Sleepaway Camp, however, are quite creative and although they aren't the most realistic, the gore effects have a certain quality that makes them quite horrific looking. Among the more notable death scenes are a man badly scalded by an overturned kettle, a graphic shot of a young boy's corpse with a snake slowly crawling out of his mouth, and rather ghastly scene showing the remains of some very young campers strewn about their sleeping bags.
The movie features some uncomfortable subject matter such as a pedophile cook making a rape attempt as well as many of the death victims being quite young, but it does impose more of a realistic feel on the story. While there are many breaches of logic that leave a bit to be desired in the credibility department, it's best to just remember that a movie like this isn't meant to be taken the most seriously. If you want an entertaining slasher with one of the best endings in horror history, Sleepaway Camp is one to check out, it will exceed your expectations.
If you're not going to Camp Crystal Lake, why not give Camp Arawak a stab? 2008-08-15
Who knew that there was a good 80's slasher film that I somehow over looked. I really do miss that genre of movies, and I was ecstatic to see in all the pile of mixed baggage there was one that came out on top. Even though this had a lot of the same qualities as all of the other slasher films ( Friday The 13th in particular) Sleepaway Camp still brings you enough originality and twists to make it an instant classic.
After surviving a horrific accident 8 years prior Angela is forced to live with her crazy Aunt Martha and cousin Ricki. Ricki and Angela are persuaded by Angelas aunt to go on a vacation at camp Arawak. Angela is a very quiet girl that makes all of the other teenagers at the camp uncomfortable, which in return makes her the object of everyones taunting. Ricki tries to stick up for his cousin, but it seems he is always too late to do anything helpful. After a few people end up dying the individuals at Camp Arawak are all suspects and victims at the same time.
Never did the film become dull nor was it over the top exciting edge of your seat thrills. The film is not overly gory, but does not take away from the greatness. There is some descent acting, and if you are familiar with slasher movies you will understand the rareness of good acting in that genre. I know there are a lot of other reviewers that have raved about the very twisted ending, I agree with all of them. I will admit that the finale is one of the very top finales in a horror movie ever. It had me sleeping with my lights on that evening, and like I stated in a another review, I am a very hard person to scare. The last image of this cinematic adventure will be forever implanted in my brain. If you go into this film blind you will be nothing less of blown away, just by the ending alone.
Hate Camp? 
2008-08-01
When I was a teen, I watched this movie when it came out. Almost twenty years later, I had to have it. An original classic horror film. The ending was twisted and unpredictable - like I love it! A youth slasher movie.
A great 80s slasher with a surprise ending 2008-06-05
This film is incredible. Not because it is good, but because it is so horribly bad. And its very clear that they didn't mean it to be so bad. Its hard to describe exactly what is so bad about it. its actually a very well made movie. (except for the boom in the shot in one of the first scenes) The acting is actually not very bad, I've seen much worse in TV shows today. the ending is incredible.
I have to admit, I'm a bit of a fanboy of this movie. I was introduced to it by one of my sister's friends from lawschool, and since then I have been spreading it group by group at my college. The people love it, or they love to hate it. I have seen this movie so many times I can recite lines and I even know some of the bloopers that they director and actress don't identify on the commentary. (bus scene, the ronny crotch grab... watch for it, we died laughing when we saw it. We had to rewind several times just to see it again, and again.)
You'll laugh, you'll be genuinely scared at times. All in all its a good movie. And I'm definitely not a fan of slasher flicks.
Rent if you're a casual Horror fan, BUY if you love slasher flicks or just ridiculously funny horror movies.
The Ending is what makes this movie! 2008-05-06
Gotta love this movie's ending! So bad it became a cult classic! Trust me your local library won't have it so you will have to buy it here.
Scarred For Life 2008-04-06
The ending traumatized me when I saw it as a kid. Ever since then, I'm at least slightly suspicious and scared of women. People who have seen the film know what I'm talking about.
One of My Fav's 2008-03-25
Sleep away camp, is one of the best campy horror movies out there. Like the original "friday the 13th" I loved the originality of this movie, there is nothing like it. THe killings are awesome because the gore isn't always seen, so it leaves alot up to the imagination. The plot is great, the acting is good. The ENDING IS THE BEST JAW DROPPER OF ALL TIME in fact nothing, that I have ever seen such an ending in any other horror movies, it was strange, bizarre, creepy and OH so differently refreshing!!!
Predictable yet brilliant 2008-02-10
I first watched this film on IFC and fell in love with it. All though most of it was just as predictable as any other 80's slasher flick, this one stood out with the mysterious aura of the main character, Angela, leading up to the shocking ending.
