Review of Cherry Falls (2000) by Sean F — 02 Oct 2004

A killer is stalking the teens of Cherry Falls, Virginia. I know, it sounds like your typical teen slasher flick, but this one comes with a twist - the killer is only stalking virgins. That's right - forget all the rules you learned watching "Halloween" and "Friday the 13th".

This time you're only safe if you're not innocent. "Cherry Falls", directed by Australian Geoffrey Wright ("Romper Stomper"), can be a fun time if you go into it not expecting any surprises.

After the first three murders, town sheriff Brent Marken (Michael Biehn) holds a meeting to inform the parents of the kids about the killer's distinctive signature. Word soon leaks out among the high schoolers, and an orgy is planned.

With police protection, even. Our main virgin is the sheriff's daughter Jody (Brittany Murphy), and observant viewers will have figured out the identity of the killer long before she does. It doesn't matter because the movie really doesn't take itself very seriously, and neither should you.

My research tells me that "Cherry Falls" was heavily cut in order to achieve an "R" rating. I know a lot of so-called horror fans are upset that they're not able to see the gore they feel they rightly deserve.

I noted that I enjoyed the fact that most of the violence happened just off-screen. Imagined gore really does heighten the suspense, and it's suspense, not shock, that makes horror work. (However, I've never been one to believe the conceit that what you don't see is sexier than what you do.

I enjoy nudity. But that's a subject for another review.) This is a teen slasher flick. Every now and then you get something new and original in the genre, such as "A Nightmare on Elm Street" or "Scream", and they can actually take the subject matter in a whole new direction.

This one doesn't. But watch it with some friends. Laugh when you're supposed to. Laugh even when it gets too silly or too stupid. Make bets with yourself on who will be the first to pick up the double entendre of the title.

Have a goofy time during the Halloween season watching the film, then forget about it and go watch something with some class. I recommend Hitchcock's "Psycho".