Synopsis: (from IMDb) Stripped unravels over the course of 24hrs as a group of best friends document their Vegas vacation. Things take a turn for the worst when they call strippers that have them travel to a remote location.
My Quick Review: As you might know, I’m actually a big fan of Found Footage Horror Movies. I know many people despise those, but for some reasons I really like the format and can tolerate most of the movies shot this way.
It’s the case with Stripped, a found footage version of Hostel meets Turistas. Except here, strangely, the horror scenes are the weakest and I did enjoy the long 40mn intro/character’s building.
It is indeed very rare for me to immediately like/empathize with the future victims but there is something about this group of people going to Las Vegas for their friend’s 21st birthday that just feels right. Perhaps it is the chemistry between the actors or the charisma of Alvaro Orlando (from VH1’s Pick Up Artist) but by the time shit is hitting the fan, I’m actually caring for them.
Unfortunately, as soon as the carnage happens, I lost interest. We lose the strict found footage POV and the torture scenes are lacking gore and shocks. It feels like the director did not know how to shoot those scenes now that the camera was back in his hands, and, while trying to make the mad doctor scary, it just fails miserably to create any sense of tension.
For those reasons I can’t recommend this movie to casual horror fans or people who dislike Found footage movies. Only the fans of this style of movie might appreciate spending time with this cast of characters.
My Rating: 4.5/10
Director: J.M.R Luna
Year: 2012
Origin: U.S
