Jens B
Where to begin with this one?
Ok, first of all, I found this on YouTube and expected some kind of early slasher, especially this being a very early Cannon film. What I got was something completely different. NEW YEAR'S EVIL starts out as a slasher, becomes more of a thriller, and ends up as a family drama of some sorts. I liked the plot idea (psycho killer murders someone every time another part of the U.S. celebrates new year's, with our characters celebrating in Los Angeles), but that doesn't cover how wild this film gets. Not with the kills or sleazy sex scenes a la NEW YORK RIPPER, but with how coked up everyone is in this film. Especially the horny nurse and some party teens don't seem to know where they are most of the time. We get some shitty band promoting their new (and maybe only) album (think of GRADUATION DAY), a son with some major mommy issues, biker gangs, and the iconic ch-ch-ch-ma-ma-ma cue when Jason stalks his pray. Wait..
All in all, a wonderful "slasher" with an interesting concept, that's elevated by insane acting, direction, and music choices. Not really so bad it's good, but more: kinda okay with major benefits in the crazy department.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
12/31/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Classically so-bad-it's-good early 80's slasher with a holiday theme. There are so few New Year's themed horror movies that this becomes an immediate yearly watch to ring in the New Year.
Diane (Roz Kelly) is a punk-rock television icon is hosting a New Year's countdown and party. She's accepting call-ins and receives a mysterious call from a man deep-throating a voice-changing machine who calls himself "EVIL" and is going to commit "MURDER" to somebody she knows by midnight.
We cut to a mental institution dancing to the classic "New Year's Evil" jam created for the movie. There is a problemattic scene of the portrayal of mental patients, cigarette smoking in the hallways, and champagne in the break room. The 80's were wild.
So - is this telling us that the killer is a psychotic patient? Is it someone Diane knows? GUESS YOU'LL HAVE TO WATCH AND FIND OUT.
Something that this does different is you know the face of the killer from the start, you just don't know WHO he is in relation to the main characters. He also doesn't only commit murder at midnight EST, he makes sure to hit it in every other time zone as well.
This movie somehow ages both like a banana and fine wine. It's hilariously over-acted, exaggerated, and downright comical without intending to be.
Plot holes, terrible acting, incongruous writing, and is littered with horror tropes. It's *chef's kiss* exactly what I'm looking for to bring in the New Year time and time again.
Rating:
New Year's Evil song: banger/10
Moustache change: 6/10
Priest 'fit change: 7/10
Acting: 3/10
PLOT TWIST: 7/10
Overall rating: 6/10
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
01/23/23
Full Review
Audience Member
New Year's Evil had a lot of potential, but really fell short of the mark. We follow Blaze aka Diane Sullivan (Roz Kelly) as she hosts her countdown to New Year's show. During the show people call in to say what they think the song of the year should be, but one caller informs her that he'll be killing one "Naughty Girl" at midnight on each time zone and she's going to be the last one. He calls himself "Evil" and unfortunately for him sounds like Richard Karron, so rather than being intimidating, you may just imagine him saying "get the honey" and chuckle.
This is a slasher that was attempting to capitalize off the wave of slashers that were themed to a holiday that had been coming out around that time. Most notably: Halloween (1978), Black Christmas (1974), and Silent Night, Bloody Night (1972). It feels like a film that is doing just that though, rushing through a script to try and capitalize on this theme as quick as possible.
The kills are done decently, but the without getting into spoilers, the whole reason behind this killing spree is very weak. The pacing of the movie feels very slow and the pay off just isn't there at the end. The best part of the film is the music, but if you're not much for rock, punk and metal, then this may not be a plus for you. This is not a film I'd watch again unless I was getting a group together to riff on it.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
01/13/23
Full Review
R P
The slasher sub genre is one of my favorites. I like a good slasher movie set around a holiday. I did not hate New Year's Evil, but I didn't love it either. Just kind of meh for me.
(https://foreverfinalgirl.com/new-years-evil/)
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
12/28/21
Full Review
scott g
A worthless piece of cash grab crap. Just plain bad in every way. Avoid this monstrosity of a slasher film.
Rated 0.5/5 Stars •
Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars
03/31/23
Full Review
saundra w
I love this campy, cheesy slasher flick. I first watched it many years ago on Elvira After Dark. It wasn't even scary then. lol For some demented reason, I watch it every New Year's Eve.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
03/31/23
Full Review
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