Horror has always been a genre with which you can experiment and poke fun at the status quo. From films like Night of the Living Dead to Get Out, the genre is often used to subvert the problems in culture. Porno, from first-time director Keola Racela, may not reach that level, but it’s still a fun and bloody ride.
Porno is centred on a group of teens working in a 1990’s era movie theatre in the heart of a Christian town with a religious boss that expects all the staff to be as devout as he is. After a busy Friday night, the teens—and the slightly older projectionist—are left to clean up and watch a movie of their choice. When they accidentally unearth a succubus from a porn film, all hell breaks loose, literally.
When the kids start this mysterious film, their Christian values clash with their want to experience the world. As with any film of this ilk, the story is minor to the actions of the characters and how the violence unfolds. The film does a decent job of establishing what mythology there is, from the history of the theatre to what the succubus is and how to kill it. Porno rarely gets caught up in the weeds, opting for fun, gore, and sex to keep the action moving at a steady clip.
Much like the time period Porno is set in, the movie feels very “90s”. From the ludicrous levels of gore to the ample sex and sophomoric humour, had you said this movie was a long lost mid-90’s flick, I would believe you. Even the cast of characters all feel straight out of the period, from the rebellious goth leader Chastity (aka Chaz) played by Jillian Mueller to the relatively normal Harold played by Evan Daves, the actors makes this film enjoyable.
While not a blockbuster in the effects department, Porno manages the right balance of campy practical effects and CGI to build an entertaining and truly gory watch. It was also fun to see the film give equal attention to the male and female characters, providing both a chance to squirm at what is being revealed. There is enough gore and nudity to keep even the most bloodthirsty viewer going until the end credits.
Sadly, Porno is not without its faults. While the movie, for the most part, has good pacing keeping the action coming with just enough exposition to keep things moving, the middle of the film drags, getting lost in minor plot threads that ultimately don’t add much beyond gags and lazy setups. There are many good ideas here, and most work, but as with many horror-comedies, sometimes a bit of cutting is needed to keep the plot moving forward.
Porno is a throwback nightmare that captures the essence of the decade with just enough camp and gore to keep things interesting. While it is not the most original story, the characters and overall concept keep things fun and entertaining. While Porno may not hit all the marks, when it does, it works well. It is an entertaining and bloody thrill ride that will keep you laughing until the credits roll.
