She Kills is a 2016 American action horror film, written and directed by Ron Bonk. Boasting a huge filmography as an executive producer, Ron is known as the proprietor of SRS Cinema, a film production company based in New York, notable for funding and producing hundreds of low-budget horror films such as Ed Gein: The Musical (2015), Shark of the Corn (2021) and their upcoming project Venus Die-Trap (currently being crowdfunded).
Sadie’s life is destroyed when a vicious gang called ‘The Touchers’ targets her for their sadistic fantasies after witnessing her sexy but innocent naked frolicking in a nearby field. On her wedding night, they attack her and her husband Edward, brutalizing both of them. But during the attack the virgin bride discovers a dangerous secret about her body – she is cursed with the legendary ‘Fire Crotch’, a condition where Satan has laid claim to her vagina. After visiting her fortune-teller friend, Casparella, a space exorcism is attempted on her meat flaps, but it only ends up unlocking secret hidden powers inside her. Her hatchet wound becomes lethal, her most deadly weapon in her thirst for revenge against The Touchers and her fight against lustful men everywhere!
A loving homage to 70s exploitation and, more specifically, the rape/revenge subgenre, She Kills certainly emulates their stylised visuals and gritty tone wholeheartedly. Taking influence from/referencing some of the most influential titles in the genre, the film is a love letter to films such as I Spit on Your Grave (1978), Thriller: A Cruel Picture (1973), as well as many films inside and outside the rape/revenge genre.
However, one way the film differs from its predecessors is the overtly comedic overtones implemented throughout. Whilst the implementation of (purposefully) inferior quality stock footage, “unintentional” appearances from crew members captured on the sidelines, and zany, over-the-top performances play into the film’s exploitation foundations, the non-stop, low-brow humour can be more of a hindrance overall–lowering the intended impact of scenes. Fortunately, this takes somewhat of a back seat around the film’s mid-point, allowing for the over-the-top violence to perform the comedic elements.
Displaying a conscientious understanding of the cinematic style of the period, She Kills’ cinematography is a sleek representation of the contemporary visuals of this beloved genre. With several examples of inventive framing, crash zooms, and many other hallmarks of cinema at the time, Ron intuitively visualises a deep knowledge of the exploitation genre and what makes it so enchanting to fans so many years later. However, one negative is being recorded on digital rather than actual film, with visual effects to replicate the “grindhouse” aesthetic. While very noticeable in the film’s first act, the effects themselves aren’t too egregious and are soon forgotten about for the most part
Another key aspect that fully embodies the film’s basis is the amazing score. From the haunting piano piece of the intro, the rising, synth-laden drones of more tense scenes, and the juxtaposing, light-hearted folk music over a slow-motion massacre, the soundtrack of She Kills hits every note perfectly and fully embraces the film’s gritty tone.
Paying tribute to cult classics of times passed, She Kills is an undeniable billet-doux to the works of Bo Arne Vibenius, Meir Zarchi, and Sam Peckinpah, to name but a few. With its incredibly stylish visual design, in-depth knowledge of its source material, and fantastic, over-the-top performances, She Kills is sure to hit the spot for those who enjoy the niche of 70s exploitation and deliver a rollercoaster of revenge.
She Kills (2016) is available to purchase from Goredrome Pictures’ website here and TetroVideo’s website here.
More Extreme Cinema
There have been several films made about the Japanese urban legend known as Hitori Kakurenbo. There are also several ways that the title has been presented in English: hide and… Rave (Svartklubb) is a 2020 Swedish body horror film written and directed by Nils Alatalo in his first feature-length debut after graduating from film school. The film stars Isabelle Grill… Having a roommate can be hard. Whether it’s disrespect of the kitchen cleaning rules or failing to remember how thin the average bedroom wall is, living with another person is… The generally agreed definition of a snuff film is a real (not staged) filmed murder. In some cases, it is viewed for arousal. However, this is somewhat incorrect, as by… La Petite Mort is a 2009 German splatter horror film, written and directed by Marcel Walz with additional writing from Martin Hentschel, who both worked on the film’s sequel, La… Being a subjective genre, horror, much like its fans, is incredibly varied compared to other genres in film. From solid scares, slow-burning tension or just a general spooky atmosphere, there…
Creepy Hide and Seek (2009) Film Review – The Sleazier Side of a Famed Urban Legend
Rave (2020) Film Review – We’re Off to the Discotech
2LDK (2003) Film Review – Killer Co-habitation in the Tiny Rooms of Tokyo
Top 15 Pseudo-Snuff Films – Diamonds In The Snuff
La Petite Mort (2009) Film Review – A Serviceable Serving of Sadistic Suffering
11 Best Extreme Films – Delving into the Depraved and Deviant
Hey there, I’m Jim and I’m located in London, UK. I am a Writer and Managing Director here at Grimoire of Horror. A lifelong love of horror and writing has led me down this rabbit hole, allowing me to meet many amazing people and experience some truly original artwork. I specialise in world cinema, manga/graphic novels, and video games but will sometime traverse into the unknown in search of adventure.