Review: ‘The Last Laugh’ is Redeemed by Gory SFX

The Last Laugh (High Octane Pictures)

For a live performer, stand-up comics in particular, the thing they fear most in their professional life has got to be dying on stage – metaphorically of course. And while that was at the top of Myle’s worry-list, dying for real takes over the #1 spot in The Last Laugh.

Myles is a failing stand-up comic given a huge opportunity thanks to his agent: opening the comeback show for apparent edgy stand-up legend turned family-fun show sell-out, Reggie Ray. His nerves (and PTSD) getting the best of him become the least of his worries when it turns out a serial killer is on the loose at the theatre he’s meant to be performing in.

Written and directed by Jeremy Berg in his third feature-length endeavor, Steve Vanderzee stars as Myles, the failing stand-up who just hasn’t been the same since the untimely death of his partner, Nina. Eric Stone is Nelson, Myles’ agent who is doing all he can for his career (his own or Myles’, you decide), whether that’s the best thing for Myles’ health or not; and Lowell Deo is Reggie Ray, who has let being a prolific performer in the stand-up scene inflate his ego to a ridiculous degree. We’re also introduced to side-characters Donna (Angela DiMarco), Bethany (Meranda Long), Andy (Marcus Leppard), and Bryce (Brad Jesernig), who are in charge of things behind the scenes at the theatre.

Straight off the bat, the acting in this film feels a little wooden, with the interactions between characters feeling more like a dress rehearsal than a final take, but thankfully it warms up slightly to be just a bit stiff later on in the movie.

We’re given the first kill early on, teasing the false promise that this is going to be a gory, murder-filled slasher flick. This is far from the case, but it should definitely be noted the SFX are one of the best things about this movie. While they’re not Hollywood quality visual effects, for the film’s budget, they’re pretty gross and graphic.

The biggest problem with this film is the number of questions it forces its audience to scream at the screen. Why would Myles give up after telling just one person that there’s a murdered and mutilated body in his dressing room? Why is he sweating so god-damn much? Why would he, still grieving from the tragic death of his partner and currently trying to evade attack by a serial killer and catch them at the same time, try and arrange a date with Bethany, now of all times? And most importantly: who is the bloody killer and why are they killing?!

That’s right, we never find out who is behind the mask (and cape, because the killer is dressed in a bad Halloween costume). We’re given vague details about a ghost story that suggests the theatre is haunted, but then it’s not explained the connection this has to what’s going on. We’re shown a handful of cliche cat and mouse slasher-kills, but we never find out who is behind them. Myles does though, in the biggest, most shocking and unexpected kill of the film, but the audience is never given the gratification of an explanation, making the film’s climax feel all for naught.

Do yourself a favor, if you’re in a situation that makes this film an inevitable watch, skip through the dialog to the kills. The cheap yet satisfying SFX are pretty much the only redeeming feature of this lackluster attempt at a suspenseful slasher horror.

The Last Laugh is out now on VOD via High Octane Pictures.


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