The Chicken Party (2018) Movie Review
Written By: FZ
Edited By: Grave Reviews Staff
Film Information
Director: Carlos R. Valencia
Writer: Carlos R. Valencia
Producer: Richard G. Cabeza, Paul Dalusong, Hector Vasquez
Date Released: May 2018
Cast:
Megumi Kabe as Koume Watanabe
Ami Shimada Ami Shimada as Sakura Watanabe
Schafer Bourne as Bryan
Kathy M. Freeman Johnson as Audrey
Anthony Gros as James
Mary Henschell as Karla
Angie Kim as Miel
Diana Lado as Gloria
Rating = 1.5/5 Graves
***May contain spoilers***
Synopsis
The Chicken Party is a 2018 American horror thriller feature film about two Japanese sisters who came to visit Los Angeles for the first time and are invited to a “chicken party” to meet other international travelers. The party seems going along fine as expected with no indication of any kind. At the party, Sakura is very accommodating and warm while Koume is very observant and cautious. At first, all appears normal, and the Watanabes find themselves among several international guests. But there is an unusual tension between the hosts for the parties like they are anxious about the final outcome of the party. As the evening progresses, things become a bit odd and increasingly uncomfortable, with slight hints that something entirely sinister could be brewing.
Gore Factor
This film relies more on growing tension, disturbing exposition, and a few grisly set pieces, instead of non-stop gore. It was mentioned in the movie about eating the guests. Nothing was really shown to that effect. But there was beating and torture scenes which creates the ominous atmosphere of fear and danger.
Grave Review
The story revolves around two sisters Koume (Megumi Kabe) and Sakura (Ami Shimada) Watanabe. This is their first time visiting the US and in the process they got lost in the city and wind up being invited to a “Chicken Party”. The movie is very clear on why it was called as such.
The Chicken Party (2018) stars Megumi Kabe and Ami Shimada as sisters Koume and Sakura Watanabe. In the US for the first time, the two get lost and wind up being invited to “the chicken party”. After a few days of sightseeing and shopping, they decide to go to the party. One good thing about this movie is the character development of the Watanabe sisters. They have an actual story, and time is taken to allow it to emerge. This makes us feel comfortable with them, before the peril takes place. There is much debate over whether they should even attend the party at all, rather than simply plunging into it like most of the bubble-heads in similar films. At the party, Sakura is open minded and warm, while Koume is suspicious and watchful. At first, all appears normal, and the Watanabes find themselves among several international guests. As the evening progresses, things become a bit odd and increasingly uncomfortable, with slight hints that something entirely sinister could be brewing. It’s when the “final game” is played, that the true terror unfolds.
Of course, due to its limited budget, this film relies more on growing tension, disturbing exposition, and a few grisly set pieces, instead of non-stop gore. The only complaint would be with the running time, which is about 20-30 minutes too long. While watching, one can see where a great deal of static could have been eliminated, and the whole movie tightened up. Some of the dialogue, especially from the party’s hosts, could have been shortened or left out entirely. We get it, they’re nuts! One particular “dance” scene is both humorous and creepy at the same time! As it is, it’s still worth a watch, and has a memorable finale.
Because of the foregoing reasons, Grave Reviews gives The Chicken Party (2018) one and a half graves out of five graves.
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