Sleepaway Camp

Name: Sleepaway Camp
Genre: Horror
Released: November 18, 1983
Duration: 84 min
Rating: 58
Cast: Christopher Collet, Felissa Rose, John E. Dunn, Jonathan Tiersten, Karen Fields

1983

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 4 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 31 Ratings

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7.2

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7.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 31 Ratings

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Sleepaway Camp

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Movie Details & Credits

Creswin Distribution | Release Date: November 18, 1983 | R

Starring: Christopher Collet, Felissa Rose, John E. Dunn, Jonathan Tiersten, Karen Fields, Katherine Kamhi, Loris Sallahian, Mike Kellin, Paul DeAngelo, Tom Van Dell

Summary: Angela Baker, a traumatized and shy young girl, goes to summer camp with her cousin. Shortly after arriving, anyone with sinister or less-than-honorable intentions gets his comeuppance.

Director: Robert Hiltzik

Genre(s): Horror

Rating: R

Runtime: 84 min

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Critic Reviews

Scott Tobias

Sleepaway Camp keeps defying every possible expectation of how a slasher movie is supposed to behave. It isn’t really scary or atmospheric, but the implements of death... are exceedingly gruesome and unprecedented. Read full review

Eric Goldman

You may argue whether it’s “good”, but damn it if Sleepaway Camp isn’t a super fun, crazy and, most importantly, an incredibly memorable movie Read full review

Ed Gonzalez

Seriously, watching Angela (and to a lesser extent Ricky) being targeted throughout the film is like watching a group of shrill brats shooting rocks at a baby bird—if it wasn’t so obvious that everyone’s non-stop cruelty was in service of some big-reveal, or if the performances weren’t so damn preening, the film would be completely intolerable. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

Writer-director Robert Hiltzik tries to mask the poorly staged murder scenes and lousy effects with a perverse sense of humor, but it doesn't work. Some scenes, especially one involving a girl and a curling iron, are simply irredeemable. Read full review

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User Reviews

hunterdaboss

Apr 22, 2020

Great movie with 2 great sequels (unhappy campers and teenage wasteland), and then two crappy sequels

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

robertoiglesias

Oct 14, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Sleepaway Camp is one of my favorite films of all time for the interesting characters, a setting where killing is unexpected, the killer's revelation and motivation at the end, and just because I find it kind and scary at the same time!… Expand

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

babygorgeous

Oct 14, 2018

this film is spectacular for it's simple switch in tone and for the characters and shocking ending

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

Narwhale73

Apr 15, 2022

An interesting movie. At first it appears to just be a Friday-the-13th knock off, but it is quick to distinguish itself into a weird slasher who dunnit. Maybe I'm just someone who likes camping movies, but I felt pretty immersed. Although the culprit is pretty obvious, the suspense around itAn interesting movie. At first it appears to just be a Friday-the-13th knock off, but it is quick to distinguish itself into a weird slasher who dunnit. Maybe I'm just someone who likes camping movies, but I felt pretty immersed. Although the culprit is pretty obvious, the suspense around it is amazing. Also there were a lot of interesting characters which is a rarity in the slasher genre in general.

As for the ending, it's probably the only movie that's left me disturbed in years. I am not sure if this is a good thing or bad thing.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ForeverFinalGir

Dec 5, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Who doesn’t love a movie with lots of bare butts, some creative kills, and an ending that is iconic? That is what you get with Sleepaway Camp. And before I forget, it has Robert Earl Jones in it, the father of James Earl Jones!Starting with the kills, there were some interesting ones. As much of a **** Judy (Karen Fields) is, her death was horrible! I know it was shown off camera but you see the shadows and can deduce what is happening to her. I will never look at a curling iron again. The pedophile cook should have died but the burns on his face were done pretty good. For as low budget as this is, I do like the practical effects. Even with the boy drowning, I liked how they made up his body afterwards.

Finally, we get a film with male nudity! Several scenes with male butts and that ending! You know what ending I’m talking about. That ending is what makes the movie. You mention that scene and most horror fans know what movie you’re talking about.

The acting was everything from bad to okay for an 80’s slasher. This was Felissa Rose’s first film and she was only 13 at the time. Normally movies will find 18 year olds or older to play young girls. Imagine being so young that you can make the movie but can’t see it in the theaters! That would suck. Felissa doesn’t even say anything until about 30 minutes into the movie! Mike Kellin who played Mel, the owner of the camp, was sick with lung cancer during the filming of the movie. He died three months before the film’s release. So sad.

If I’m being critical Sleepaway Camp isn’t the best 80’s slasher, but nostalgia is high for me. This was another slasher movie I watched as a kid that formed my love for slasher movies. It’s definitely horror but kind of light for a slasher movie. The ending of the movie and the start of Felissa Rose’s career are the highlights of this movie. Definitely rewatchable and a keeper for my collection.

Let’s get into the rankings:

Kills/Blood/Gore: 4/5
Sex/Nudity: 2.5/5
Scare factor: 2.5/5
Enjoyment factor: 4/5
My Rank: 3.25/5… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MattBrady99

Jul 16, 2021

Me before the movie: Another Friday the 13th-like slasher? Oh, give me a break.

After the movie: WHAT THE **** Damn that was...disgusting and took me by surprise. Also, this is the worst summer camp ever. The camp is like Lord of the Files but with the grown-ups around. I find it funny howMe before the movie: Another Friday the 13th-like slasher? Oh, give me a break.

After the movie: WHAT THE **** Damn that was...disgusting and took me by surprise.

Also, this is the worst summer camp ever. The camp is like Lord of the Files but with the grown-ups around. I find it funny how kids keep dying on this camp but rather than evacuate the area, everyone passes it off as an unfortunate accident and move on with their lives. Nobody cares lol. Like, what the hell? Some people have just died and there might be a murderer in the area, but the campers are like "Well, better tell their parents the kid is dead, I guess, I don't know anymore".… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ssgibson

Jul 27, 2018

This movie sucks. The death scenes are lame and leave themselves open for criticism. Everyone keeps saying this has one of the most shocking endings in movie history and I'm still trying to figure out how.

0 of 5 users found this helpful05

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