Films lacking a clear message often lead to unsatisfactory results, but an excessive focus on conveying a theme can produce a similar effect. Jeremiah Kipp’s horror film, Slapface (2021), has a distinct and deliberate goal, aiming to weave the painful experiences of bullying, toxic masculinity, grief, and abuse into a sharply crafted horror narrative.
Does this ambitious intention translate into a successful outcome? At times, it does. The performances of Augusto Maturo and Mike C. Manning compellingly portray two brothers left orphaned, struggling in the depths of their grief while trying to cope through their individual methods.
An unsettling journey through the darker sides of brotherhood (Photo: Slapface/Chhibber Mann Productions, Artman Cooper Productions, and Mirror Image Films)Slapface (2021) reveals some uncomfortable truths within its darker explorations. In these instances, the film successfully fulfills its grim yet essential purpose of forcing viewers to confront the horrific manifestations of trauma.
However, the film’s ambiguous nature detracts from its impact; had it been more direct, the emotional resonance could have been stronger. Unfortunately, the unresolved ending lacks a credible rationale, leaving behind a half-hearted narrative that fails to evoke the necessary emotional response or a lasting impression.
Slapface (2021): Plot Summary and Movie Synopsis
Tom and Lucas have struggled to survive since a tragic car accident claimed their parents. With Tom working a blue-collar job, he strives to provide for his younger brother while grappling with his own life.
To avoid facing his emotions and parenting responsibilities, Tom resorts to resolving their disagreements through a game he calls “slapface,” which involves them violently slapping each other as a means of releasing tension and moving on with their lives.
While Tom remains oblivious to the severity of their situation, sensitive Lucas bears the brunt of their turmoil and lacks a healthy outlet for his feelings. He seeks solace in the nearby woods, where he performs a ritual by burying a photograph of himself and their late mother alongside a blood offering in the sinister grounds of an abandoned house.
Tom often drowns his sorrows in alcohol at the local bar, where he is regularly confronted by a kind police officer who warns him about Lucas’ unsettling behavior. This officer, who once had a close bond with their family, has issued them too many “get out of jail free cards.”
The Witch In The Woods
As the opening credits roll in Slapface (2021), Virago emerges as a chilling figure within the story. Her name alone hints at the promise of mindless violence, as she becomes the witch haunting the ruins of a dilapidated house in Lucas’ town.
When a group of bullies, including two ruthless twins and his love interest Moriah, pressure Lucas into breaking into the witch’s house for a souvenir, he enters the decaying structure, filled with rotting wallpaper and crumbling walls, leading him to the formidable witch residing within.
Virago swiftly ensnares Lucas in her tattered cloak, and he awakens next to a stunned Moriah. She expresses her interest in dating him, provided their relationship remains hidden from the bullies.
However, Lucas finds himself inexplicably drawn back to the woods the following day. No longer frightened by Virago, he shares a warm moment with her as they watch the sunset together.
Violence, Inside and Out
Anna, Tom’s new girlfriend, is the only one who expresses discomfort with the unhealthy dynamic between the brothers. She openly confronts the abusive reality of Tom’s habit of slapping Lucas to discipline him.
Hints of their late father’s toxic masculinity and abusive tendencies echo through the officer’s warnings, revealing how Tom’s behavior is beginning to mirror that of his father. Neither Tom nor Lucas recognizes the transformation taking place in Tom’s character.
Unresolved tensions create a haunting atmosphere throughout (Photo: Slapface/Chhibber Mann Productions, Artman Cooper Productions, and Mirror Image Films)As Tom struggles to hold onto the last remnants of his gentler side, his aggressive actions reveal his inability to escape the cycle of bullying, which serves as a shield against the overwhelming pain he experiences. Growing up in an environment where aggression is the solution to every problem, Lucas has become desensitized to violence.
This is evident when he violently attacks a rat, showcasing the unhealthy influences surrounding him. Moriah’s decision to break off their relationship after witnessing this behavior is understandable.
The specter of brutality follows Lucas everywhere, haunting him even in the woods, where he sees his new friend Virago violently tearing apart a dog pursuing him.
Witnessing this horrifying act raises concerns for Anna, who fears for Lucas’ safety while Tom dismisses her worries. Upon discovering a flyer about the missing dog, Anna becomes increasingly anxious about Lucas.
When Anna searches for the brothers, unaware of Virago’s looming presence, she enters their house and explores Lucas’ room. Grabbing Tom’s gun, she is startled by a sudden noise. The menacing Virago quickly overwhelms Anna before the perspective changes, and a gunshot rings out, followed by her anguished screams.
Although Lucas’ first instinct is to ask about Anna’s whereabouts, he soon becomes engrossed in Virago’s destructive games as they wreak havoc in the house. When Tom arrives to find the chaos, he simply resumes their slapface game, treating the situation as though it’s resolved.
Trauma Bonding
Understanding the toxic dynamics of harmful relationships is a challenge for someone as young as Lucas, particularly when all he knows are distorted expressions of love.
This lack of awareness renders him vulnerable to Virago’s monstrous affection. Their eerie, silent interactions radiate a warmth that Lucas longs for, as Virago increasingly manipulates him into a deeper connection.
She bathes him with water using her decaying hands, while Lucas’ expression turns from fear to acceptance, illustrating his internal conflict. Virago exploits his tender emotions, wandering the house with their mother’s dress despite his desperate pleas.
Such treatment becomes normalized for a boy whose remaining family subjects him to similar manipulation. Tom has no qualms about inflicting physical punishment on Lucas, justifying his actions with faulty reasoning that Lucas is too young to challenge.
Moments later, he embraces his brother, showering him with comforting words about their bond. Lucas can only see love in his brother’s abusive behavior and feels a fierce desire to protect him from Virago’s wrath.
