Slaughterhouse Rulez (2018) User Reviews

Takes Too Long to get Going

[Slarkshark · 6/10 · 20 January 2021]

As one who loves 'Shaun of the Dead' and 'Hot Fuzz' this was a bit disappointing. Pegg, Frost, and Sheen play supporting characters more or less, while the students are the main cast. They unfortunately don't bring enough comedy or drama to make you feel invested in them. And it feels as though two thirds of the movie goes by until something actually happens and it gets going.

Wasn't terrible or anything, but as a comedy/horror it just doesn't have enough of either.

Needed work

[lusciousmuffins · 4/10 · 26 May 2021]

This film seemed to be running in a lot of directions at once without getting anywhere.

It oscillated constantly between trying to be a farce, a horror flick, a comedy, a romance, a social commentary, and an environmental movie.

The problem is while it was bouncing around trying to condemn fracking, homophobia, teen suicide, classicism, British imperialism, private education, capitalism, and a bunch of other stuff, it gave short shrift to character and plot development.

The saddest part of all this is they had some stellar actors to work with, including: Michael Sheen, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Margot Robbie.

With that kind of star power this should have been a slam dunk, but it simply wasn't.

Instead of a hilarious horror comedy; this ended up being a big tangled mess of missed opportunities.

Between the plethora of plot points and the massive cast of characters, there was simply too much going on for the audience to get much out of the film.

When you're asked to care about everything and everyone all at once, the sad reality is you end up caring about none of it because Slaughterhouse Rulez never gives you a chance to get invested in any of the storylines beyond the surface level.

It's too bad someone with a stronger vision who understands that less is sometimes more had not gotten ahold of this script.

If someone had simply paired it down to a more streamline concept, this could have been spectacular.

Instead, it mostly ended up being a slightly frustrating and therefore largely forgettable mess.

You need to be a fan to enjoy this and I am

[martimusross · 6/10 · 3 November 2018]

A new outing by Nick Frost and Simon Pegg and the team.

If you like their work you will enjoy this, it had a tight script and whole cast got behind the material.

I enjoyed it from start to finish not so many belly laughs but plenty of lighthearted humour. I agree it's not everyone's cup of tea but what is!

Unfortunately Disappointing

[carlo_simone18 · 3/10 · 31 October 2018]

This was a real mixed-bag of a film. Tries to be a horror-comedy without being particularly scary or funny and uses elements we've seen from stories set at boarding schools like this many times before.

My main issue is the film's first half which does a rather sloppy job setting up the overall story, characters and elements that lead to later payoffs. It also treats the audience like they're stupid at points, showing flashbacks of scenes that literally occurred five minutes beforehand as if we've already forgotten them. This combined with awful dialogue and an odd structure make the first 45 minutes an extremely tedious watch.

When the second half kicks in with the proper introduction of the creatures it becomes a lot more enjoyable, as it truly embraces the gore-fest it becomes. On a production side it's all fairly competent with decent direction and visual effects for the most part. All the acting is fine, with the ever-charming Simon Pegg and Asa Butterfield putting in the best performances.

Overall, if the film had a better script with some more interesting characters who don't all have surface-level motivations then this may have turned out to be a enjoyable experience. Alas, it feels like a wasted opportunity.

Perfectly Funny Little movie

[Blumanowar · 7/10 · 8 July 2020]

Perfectly Funny Little movie Full of laughs and chuckles. It's not meant to be an award nominee... but definitely worth a watch! Pegg is funny as always...

Slaughterhouse Rulez

[cinemawithcj · 2/10 · 1 December 2018]

Slaughterhouse Rulez makes you feel so disappointed after going into a film not expecting much and hoping to be pleasantly surprised. It's a feeling you'd get from say, the St Trinian's movies. Which aren't very good, but they are watchable and fun enough to keep you away from the feeling that you've wasted your time.

Slaughterhouse Rulez tries to marry St Trinian's with Shaun of the Dead, which feels like the germ of a potentially fun romp, but in reality misses so many marks you just want either of those influences on the screen instead. Which isn't hard when one of those intended apes is a five-star classic.

What you get here, however, is a film that tries to capture the ridiculousness of British comedy and context with the energy of better and more ingenious filmmakers. Tries is the keyword throughout all of this film. It tries to be funny, it tries to be scary, it tries to foreshadow, it tries to have fun splatter, it tries to have meaningful characters and engaging villains.

The film tries to pack so much into it it never quite hits the mark. In its 103 minute run-time, Slaughterhouse Rulez tries to juggle multiple plot-lines that are never quite fleshed out enough, which in turn mean we never quite care enough. There are many a reference to the world building and history of what's come before the film going in, but it doesn't give us enough to really connect or think or feel.

It all just feels hollow and half-baked. Between the few good throwaway jokes and visual gags and embracing some practical horror effects (amongst boring ugly monster design), not to mention a supporting cast that sometimes shines (Simon Pegg and Nick Frost in the same film rock, but Michael Sheen once again is the scene-stealer), Slaughterhouse Rulez is otherwise another cheap attempt at British film-making unfortunately cast in the shadow of its great predecessors. It was never going to be a Shaun of the Dead, but it's so tragic that it's not even a St Trinian's.

Good Horror Comedy

[Pairic · 7/10 · 7 November 2018]

Slaughterhouse Rulez: This is the exclusive Public School from Hell, bullying at epic scales, mad sadistic prefects, especially Clegg (Tom Rhys-Harries), as Blake (Asa Butterfield) tells newcomer Wallace (Finn Cole): "Clegg comes from a long line of war criminals". Yes, Slaughterhouse provides the Nation with it's politicians, generals, captains of industry, spies and weirdos. Wallace is smitten by Clemsie (Hermione Corfield) but the gulf of noth class and school ranking separate them.

Fracking is taking place in the woods adjoining the school, facilitated by the links between the Headmaster "The Bat" (Michael Sheen) and Terrafrack boss (Alex Macqueen). A tribe of eco-warriors led by deranged ex-pupil Woody (Nick Frost) are out to sabotage this development. The drilling results earthquakes, sinkholes and methane gas leaks. But more than just that - monsters emerge from beneath the Earth.

A good Horror -Comedy enlivened by the totally crazy performances of the cast especially "The Bat" with his terrier Mr Chips. The fracking rig resembles Barad-dûr. Decapitations, dismemberment and people being eaten alive by the creatures are done for laughs but do provide a certain horror element. Some of the bullying is more disturbing, especially that of the younger pupils. 7/10.

Disappointed

[noelcorless · 2/10 · 31 October 2018]

I only saw it through until the end, because I had nothing better to do. Nick Frost was wasted. Simon Pegg was better but I've had funnier trips to the dentist.

80s comedy horror/splatter anyone?

[amkn75 · 7/10 · 11 June 2022]

Yes, please!

This is certainly a silly little film. Something maybe everyone needs from time to time.

The characters are the stereotypical "college" characters, and there aren't really any surprises. It's pure entertainment though.

I watched it while doing some chill gaming, and as a side-movie (not paying 100% attention to it), it was great.

This one took me back to the great B-movies of the 80s. Bliss!

I'm sorry, but you're going to be disappointed

[GoldenBlunderbuss · 5/10 · 3 November 2018]

Just come out of watching what was billed as a horror comedy. What I saw was so little of either that even Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Michael Sheen couldn't salvage a comprehensive description of what this film is meant to be.

Expectations were always going to be high with the talent involved - a film in this genre with Pegg and Frost of course makes you think you might be about to witness a new instalment in the Cornetto trilogy - but even the performances from all involved (including Neil's dad from The Inbetweeners and a few glimpses of Margot Robbie) couldn't forge an enjoyable film.

There seems to be nothing that connects the story together. Plot threads go nowhere or end as abruptly as they were introduced. Sequences are edited to point of inducing nausea.

I'm really sorry, but I'm so disappointed by this film. My expectations weren't high going in, but it successfully limboed underneath even my lowest of expectations.

Best quote: "I don't want to die unfulfilled." - "I don't want to die a virgin." - "I don't want to die wearing Greek sandals!"

Homage to the cornetto trio and so much more

[Padreviews · 8/10 · 2 November 2018]

Whereas this misses the vital team members of the cornetto team namely Nira Park and the combined writing efforts of Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright it still produces the goods.

In a way I wish I hadn't read the other reviews - sure people must've seen a different film!? But here goes mine ....

So basically this film is a combination of the style and horror rom com of Shaun of the Dead and the 1960s dark rebellious movies such as IF , Unman Wittering and Zigo , Goodbye Mr Chips . If you've seen those films you'll get the comedy cues . If you haven't you might struggle . It also has more than a little parody of Harry Potter.

What was good about the movie ? Casting - casting a female lead who's actual name is Harmoine was genius ! Simon Pegg and Margot Robbie's failing romance . The matron was a great casting real St Trinians styling .

What was not so good ? Martin Sheen and Simon Peggs characters seem to merge into one the scripting could have been better here . It couldn't be described as horror the creatures weren't at all horrific . At times it laboured and you felt you wanted the film to end quicker .

The themes were reluctant aspiration , good over evil ,failing and seemingly unobtainable romance . Bullying . Deceit . Parental pressure . Isolation and abandonment. Tradition vs contemporary and changing times and accepting of LGBTQ's etc

It was a story of symbolism and the changing landscape of the economics of the country , whereas public schools were originally for the male elite to be shoehorned into their roles of leading the country the Slaughterhouse school ( looking a lot like Stowe ) has to reluctantly adapt itself to accepting girls and foreign students to prop up its finances .

Then there's the more sinister side of the headmaster's dealings with unethical corporations and the final retribution of triumph of good over evil.

Horror fans might be disappointed by the lack of actual horror - it certainly wasn't a movie where you'd jump out of your skin but it wasn't a bad movie and is an enjoyable watch if you go there with the right expectations . The comedy propped it up .

Pad.A 8/10 Padreviews

It may play by the rules, but it always has fun while it does.

[Pjtaylor-96-138044 · 7/10 · 5 November 2018]

Though it is always clear and forward-moving, the story is, especially in retrospection, a little messy. 'Slaughterhouse Rulez (2018)' does feature some nice, if heavy-handed, themes and messages, but they ultimately don't amount to much more than "this is bad, isn't it?" The film also conforms quite heavily to the confines of its genre, hitting practically every cue and cliché it can while always seeming to be aware it is doing so, yet never going the extra step to satirise any of it. Still, the flick has a consistent style, several distinct characters and an excellent sense of tone, meaning that, even if it's never exactly funny (to the point of being 'laugh-out-loud', at least), it's always a lot of fun. It's an entertaining horror-comedy that works both before and after all hell breaks loose towards its final third, in which its horrors are all rendered with a wonderful, splattery practicality. The flick feels very much in the vein of the phenomenal 'Cornetto' trilogy, but, make no mistake, it doesn't come anywhere close to it in terms of quality. Despite this, it's still a very enjoyable, though pretty predictable, experience that remains engaging throughout. 7/10

It does not rule, at all

[sha-66294 · 5/10 · 1 October 2020]

A great cast full of easily recognisable faces, a mildly interesting plot and some funny lines scattered throughout (thank goodness for British humour) but in all honesty, the only terrifying thing is the film overall. Somewhat enjoyable if you don't take ANY of it seriously.

Disappointing Film

[claudio_carvalho · 5/10 · 5 May 2020]

"Slaughterhouse Rulez" is a disappointing film for fans of comedy, black-humor, drama, romance and horror. The silly plot does not satisfy any of the foregoing genres. The comedy is silly and not funny; the black humor is poor; the drama and the romance are shallow, almost inexistent; and the horror is ridiculous and not scary, with terrible special effects. The great cast is wasted and cannot save the film. My vote is five.

Title (Brazil): "Escola da Morte" ("Death School")

Good fun.

[deloudelouvain · 6/10 · 14 March 2019]

If you expect hilarious moments or suspenseful horror scenes that will make you look away than you will be disappointed. It hasn't hilarious humor but just some lighthearted subtle comedy moments and it's not hardcore scary but just entertaining horror. Slaughterhouse Rulez is just fun to watch once, just don't expect too much out of it. The acting wasn't bad at all so that's a good point because with horror comedies most of the times the acting is quite bad. It might not be a movie for everyone but to me it worked.

Absolutely awful

[waynen-46457 · 1/10 · 2 November 2018]

Walked out after an hour. Usually love Pegg and Frost's films. Save your entrance fees.

Wildly underrated

[thomasjay-2201 · 6/10 · 12 August 2019]

What a little surprise this was. I'd been aware of this when it was first released but missed it in cinemas when I had the chance however thanks to Sky Cinema it became quickly available to watch. This upfront is a VERY British film in itself featuring some fairly A list Brits known in our media industry and some rising stars and such has the same comedy, subtle but also quite physical and can be easily missed. Taking a stand on fracking it can be enjoyed in multiple levels and then some. Overall however it's a school based, pretty outlandish comedy splashed with elements of horror that for me did at least in some form manage to fill the gaping void of Pegg/Frost that many people share with myself, a decent little watch

do something good - save time and money and give it a pass

[gorblue · 3/10 · 31 October 2018]

Dear me, what a mess of a movie. Clichéd characters, forced jokes, insipid story. Perhaps I had high hopes for the Pegg/Frost production. They should've toned down a bit on gory bits, soften down profanities, and make an entertaining 12a movie. Younger audience would appreciate the movie more...

Daft horror spoof, daft but fun

[neil-476 · 7/10 · 10 November 2018]

Nouveau riche north country working class lad Don gets sent to posh private school Slaughterhouse, where he is roomed with troubled Willoughby. The school has recently become co-ed, the posh old-boy head is determinedly trendy and has allowed fracking to take place in school grounds. And the fracking is disturbing aeons-old tunnels underground... Meanwhile teacher Meredith Houseman is having trouble coping with a girlfriend who has gone off to Africa, and anti-fracking campaigners are camping in the woods.

If I tell you that Simon Pegg plays Meredith and Nick Frost is leader of the drug-dealing anti-fracking hippies, you will gather that this isn't entirely serious. Indeed, Michael Sheen's deliriously silly headmaster sees him having more fun than he's had in ages. The young cast is also good, particularly Asa Butterfield as Willoughby and Tom Rhys Harries as Clegg, the Flashman equivalent.

There is a nod to Lindsay Anderson's If... but this is far broader and more comedic, albeit full of profanity and some fairly graphic violence. It is the only film I'm aware of which has an orgy scene in Latin with subtitles which, I think, is something to be treasured.

Oh, and don't be fooled by the top billing given to Margot Robbie on IMDB's listings. Yes, she's in it, but it's no more than a cameo.

The name of the school plays on Charterhouse, Porterhouse etc., other names calling out to English public schools. It could have done without the unnecessary and uncomfortably on-trend "z" and the end of Rulez, though.

Oh, by the way, as a horror spoof with fracking and English public school lampooning as the main setting, it is quite good fun.

Dissapointing

[iangibbons1 · 3/10 · 2 November 2018]

Very disappointed, jokes were lame, FROST AND PEGG, seemed to go through the motions. Weak plot, bad acting, poor effects. The end didn't come fast enough for me. Nowhere near the standards of the corner to trilogy. Wish I'd waited for it to be on tv for a wet Sunday afternoon when songs of praise and other rubbish is on tv.

Fracking good fun

[mark-3417 · 8/10 · 1 November 2018]

This film has been pretty comprehensively savaged - I'm in the minority who actually enjoyed it. Okay it's disjointed, but as kitsch horror nonsense - with a splendid scenery gnawing turn from Michael Sheen it worked for me. Disengage brain, enjoy a romp. May have an afterlife as camp b-movie fun when it inevitably reaches Netflix. The young cast are also good.

I enjoyed it.

[markhappyboy · 6/10 · 20 February 2019]

Ok so movie never made me laugh out loud, but It was bloody well fun to watch ! Unlike a lot of recent comedies. Crazy Rich Asians, The breaker upperers a total torture fest!

No horror, no comedy. Avoid at all costs.

[sushantji · 3/10 · 31 October 2018]

Shallow plot. Cliché characters. Totally ungripping story telling. The jokes fall flat. The 'horror' is as if from the 1950's. The film tries to get interesting towards the end but the first half has already killed the happiness in you that you stay interested no more.

Please save your time and money. Trust me, there are many better ways to kill 104 minutes of your life.

Zero entertainment and poorly produced

[vprice94 · 1/10 · 30 June 2019]

Blimey this was a poor effort. I genuinely zoned out around the 40 minute mark.

Everything was just so flat and uninspired. I mean, where on earth were the jokes? I didn't laugh or smirk once, and I wasn't even in a bad mood, well, not until my attention dissipated because I realized I was onto a stinker.

Michael Sheen looked really out-of-place and appeared to be doing an impression of Rik Mayal. Simon Pegg would pop in and out of scenes whilst sporting an unbalanced upper-class accent. And Nick Frost never said or did anything funny. I guarantee, though, the latter 2 actors will be deeply embarrassed about producing this turkey. It is very amateur.

Let me also state, the reviews that head with: '10 out of 10!' and ''Hilarious!'' are 'shills'. Because no movie-going member of the public with an ounce of credibility would label this picture as such.

I will provide you with a more entertaining selection of British horror comedies: AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON (1981); DOG SOLDIERS (2002); SEVERANCE (2006); THE COTTAGE (2008); DOGHOUSE (2009); COCKNEYS vs ZOMBIES (2012).

Goofy Blood and violence

[kosmasp · 7/10 · 1 February 2021]

The title talks about a slaughterhouse, so I reckon no one should be surprised that this actually is quite violent. Even if the school that is named that way was not intending to go that way. They only wanted to establish meanness verbally and psychological ... if you know what I mean. You probably do and even if you don't you'll get into it right quickly.

But while the movie is kind of adult in one place, it is almost childish in other places. So tonally I can see that quite a few people may have issues with that. It's also cool to see Nick Frost and Simon Pegg in a movie together. Even if they don't share much screen time. Margot Robbie on the other hand is phoning it in ... Just kidding (or pun intended). So if you can dig the various moods and the fact this is adult yet childish ... you are on a good way to enjoy watching the movie (which is quite predictable)