I met some of the team behind Go Away at Mad Monster Party. Slasher 15 specializes in a homegrown brand of slasher-based, horror comedy. They were fantastic to talk to and what they’ve accomplished with their micro-budget productions is impressive.  I’ve written before about how I fully admit to having different standards for reviewing true indie horror and Go Away is a great example of how to apply these standards

• Directed by: David Kerr
• Written by: David Kerr
• Starring: Thom Mathews. Christine Oswald. Matthew Sharpe

There are a few hallmarks of a low-budget indie production that can also serve as indicators of the thought behind the film. Framing of shots and expositional dialogue are key giveaways.  Do these things exist to present information, or do they further the story, or develop characters?  These elements are usually enhanced by the inclusion of multiple viewpoints and perspectives, something that can be hard to come by in smaller productions.  

Another sign of a successful indie production is smart, economical filmmaking. How well does the director and crew use the budget and resources? The pacing of the film plays in to this. Every minute of film is time and money spent.  This sounds like a callous way to look at the creation of art, but when it comes to securing budgets, it can be a necessary perspective.  

It also matters for the audience. Keeping people engaged and interested in the streaming age is more important than ever. When the action, drama, or horror hits a lull, that’s the time when the audience is most likely to flip to something else. Bingeable TV broke our brains in a lot of ways.  

So, Is It Any Good?

Go Away has a strong premise, and a nice spin on the home invasion subgenre. The official synopsis describes the movie as, “invaders interrupting a family gathering to force the guests to play sadistic games until the invaders realize they too have something to fear.” 

There’s a lot to like in the story. There are qualities that are lacking—uneven acting, shaky dialogue—but I’m largely willing to overlook those issues ‘cause, well, it’s homegrown horror. It’s clear that everyone is doing their best. Honestly, I’ve seen worse performances from bigger name actors phoning it in for a paycheck. Tuesday Knight and Felissa Rose have the roles requiring the biggest emotional swings. They may not get a ton of screen time, but they make it memorable. Especially Felissa Rose, but honestly, when doesn’t she steal the scenes she’s in?

As the movie progresses, you can see the scenes where the actors have settled into their roles.  Everything feels more natural in those moments. Some of the worst characters are dead by then, so that helps too.

The second half of the movie is much more entertaining than the set up. Once the cast is whittled down to a few key people, the conflict between them and the intruders becomes more interesting. Bonus points for a truly great ending shot.

Slasher 15’s productions have always impressed me with their practical effects. They retain a retro quality to the work that, while not hyper-realistic, are just believable enough to be enjoyable.  

The Bad

While there is a lot of smart decisions—contained location, smart use of horror icons, where Go Away falters really is in the pacing. Too much time is spent getting to know unlikeable characters and unraveling family drama that doesn’t impact the plot. All these relationship issues should have come out while attempting to hide, slowly chipping away at the “family vs. intruders” dynamic. Then when things are at the most fractured, bring in the twist.  

There is a strong hook to this movie, but it doesn’t come until after what feels like way past the halfway point. When it finally hits, all the tension is gone.  The serial killer element is so interesting when added to the standard home invasion story that I wanted more of it.  

What’s Next?

I deeply dislike criticizing the efforts of anyone who worked this hard and clearly loves horror this much. The Slasher 15 crew is doing what a lot of horror fans only talk about: making the movies they want to see.  They’re full of great stunts, effects, and most importantly, each movie I’ve seen from them is better than the previous one.   

I didn’t like the first Terrifier.  It has similar issues: strong effects held together by shaky acting, and a strong killer in need of a stronger story.  There was something there though, and I stuck with the franchise as it improved and developed. I’m going to stick with Slasher 15 as well. There are plenty of multi-million-dollar horror films that end up sterile and bloodless. I won’t be naming names here, but I’m sure you have a movie in mind that fits this description.  Between the imperfect indie made with genuine love and enthusiasm, and sterile perfection, imperfection wins. 

Would this team benefit from a bigger budget or more resources? Probably, but I would hate to see them lose their charm.  I’d prefer in fact to see them go even grittier, Texas Chainsaw-style or better yet, Texas Chainsaw 2.  

Final Thoughts:

Look, I love indie horror, and more specifically I love indie horror filmmakers. Every one of the movies I’ve watched and reviewed has been a blast in its own way. Horror fans should watch more movies like from local production companies, but that’s just my opinion. 

If you’re a fan of quirky, low-budget horror with good kills and an enthusiastic cast and crew, you’ll probably appreciate Go Away as much as I did. If you’re looking for something with super-high production value, skip this one.  

I know how hard it is to get a movie made. Someday, maybe I’ll tell that story. But for now, the important point is how much respect I have for this team. Not just for what they’ve accomplished with Go Away, but for their body of work as a whole.  

Go Away is available on Tubi or for sale on Slasher15’s site.

Read other indie horror reviews:

• The Last Thanksgiving
• Last Night at Terrace Lanes