April Fool's Day

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April Fool's Day

R

1986

1h 29m

Mystery & Thriller

Horror

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Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

58%

Tomatometer

24 Reviews

48%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

When a group of college students decides to spend spring break at the secluded island estate of their wealthy classmate, Muffy St. John (Deborah Foreman), what starts out as a fun, hedonistic weekend turns into something more sinister. Muffy is very fond of practical jokes, and sets up numerous gags throughout her mansion. But, when friends begin going missing and turn up dead, they realize that they're trapped on the isolated isle with a mysterious and brutal killer.

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Critics Consensus

April Fool's Day takes a decent stab at deconstructing the slasher genre, but an underwhelming story keeps it from really sinking in.

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Paul Attanasio

Washington Post

The suspense sequences are stylishly managed...

Jan 4, 2018

Full Review

Nick Schager

Lessons of Darkness

I've seen this film before...as an episode of The Golden Girls.

Rated: D

May 3, 2005

Full Review

Paul Lê

Bloody Disgusting

The film is an ingenious stab at satirical horror, made well before self-awareness was so widespread in the genre.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 1, 2024

Full Review

Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

Even if it seems like it's cashing in on the name of a holiday, the story authentically honors the pranking nature of those traditions for a surprisingly effective slasher.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 22, 2023

Full Review

Stephanie Archer

Film Inquiry

April Fool's Day is not the best slasher but is far from the worst. It's a clever and fresh take on not only an oversaturated genre but also an intriguing take on one of the most fool-hearted days of the year.

Apr 2, 2021

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...familiar territory that is, for the most part, employed to hopelessly (and pervasively) underwhelming effect...

Rated: 1.5/4

Feb 1, 2021

Full Review

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Julian S

APRIL FOOL’S DAY stands out amid the glut of 80s slashers as a truly enjoyable whodunnit with an excellent twist.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/29/25

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angela g

this movie is a good slasher movie with a great twist

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/22/24

Full Review

Jay H

This is pretty far-fetched, but the cast is good, as is the music score. It has a good atmosphere, too. I really don't understand those who call this a slasher. There is no slashing in the movie!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/16/24

Full Review

Rixie

Really pleasant watch, atmosphere of suspense and a tiny bit of mystery, finished by a nice twist at the end. I don't get all the negative opinions it received

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/12/23

Full Review

Emilliano S

Terrible, amateurish acting with horrible twist.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

06/10/23

Full Review

Brad P

It had been a good amount of years since I last watched this film and it was great to see it not only holds up well but cleans up just as nicely, too.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

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Fred Walton

Director

Deborah Foreman

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Synopsis

When a group of college students decides to spend spring break at the secluded island estate of their wealthy classmate, Muffy St. John (Deborah Foreman), what starts out as a fun, hedonistic weekend turns into something more sinister. Muffy is very fond of practical jokes, and sets up numerous gags throughout her mansion. But, when friends begin going missing and turn up dead, they realize that they're trapped on the isolated isle with a mysterious and brutal killer.

Director: Fred Walton
Producer: Frank Mancuso Jr.
Screenwriter: Danilo Bach
Production Co: Paramount
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $11.3M
Runtime: 1h 29m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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