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April Fool's Day

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April Fool's Day

R

1986

1h 29m

Mystery & Thriller

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

60%

Tomatometer

25 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

Alan Jones

Radio Times

Responsible for the seminal stalk-and-slash movie When a Stranger Calls, director Fred Walton made a belated return to the much-maligned genre he helped create with this amusing diversion, inspired more by Agatha Christie than by Friday the 13th.

Rated: 3/5

May 13, 2025

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

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Farah R

For a film released during the height of its genre, April Fool's Day puts an ingenious twist on the formulaic aspects of its plot. The teenagers were played by great young actors who convincingly portrayed their characters with heart. The film didn't rely on gore, but opted for suspense and tension, which were more effective for making compelling kills. The ending was the best part, so be sure to sit for it all the way through.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/30/25

Full Review

Nick O

Buncha wisecrackin’ rich college kids on a weekend vacation, bout to get what’s coming to em’…and it ain’t there inheritance!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/28/25

Full Review

IrateTyrant C

For 80s Surprise Slashers, SLEEPAWAY CAMP and This! How do you write a review for this movie without giving away too many spoilers and still make somebody want to watch it? It starts with an ahead-of-its-time meta scene. Then, it gets into some crazy pranks by the characters. You might start by thinking "oh, bad acting", but you get used to it pretty quickly. It's the 80s! Then, the slasher elements start creeping up. Predictable victims and offscreen kills. Even though it may seem like a run-of-the-mill slasher, you'll have to admit, it's a fun one. It was directed by the guy who did When a Stranger Calls but is surprisingly somehow much more interesting and entertaining. It was written, however, by the guy who did Beverly Hills Cop. If nothing else tips you off that this is going to be different, that should. Truly, hats off. Ya got me!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/12/25

Full Review

Justin T

The most disappointing thing about this slasher is the ending. The ending really ruins what could have been an average eighties horror movie. They managed to lose all their credibility by changing their mind about most of the movie. It is an unbelievably frustrating movie as none of it is real. The tension builds and subsides without any real fear. It could have been a lot worse though. It was relatively well made and it was never boring. It felt like a Miss Marple mystery with added violence. Fine to watch however April Fool's Day if you can accept the ending. A murder mystery and not a slasher, bit of a joke really.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

05/11/25

Full Review

Rich C

Really enjoyed this one. Watch if you can.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/30/25

Full Review

Sandy Clark D

Love this movie,, Amy Steele is one of my favourite actresses 💙

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/28/25

Full Review

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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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