Cherry Falls

Cherry Falls is the controversial American debut for critic turned director Geoffrey Wright (Romper Stomper). Essentially a reversal of the promiscuity equals death mantra of ‘80s slasher films, this isn’t exactly a spoof; in fact, it somehow manages to capture the exact atmosphere of films like My Bloody Valentine and He Knows You’re Alone, which may seem alien to entire generations of horror fans. In the opening sequence, a young virginal pair of teens preparing to go all the way find their plans interrupted by a knife-wiedling assailant outside their car. The case is handled by Sheriff Marken (Michael Biehn), whose daughter, Jody ( Clueless Brittany Murphy), goes to the victims’ high school. The English teacher, Mr. Marliston (Jay Mohr), tries to help the students cope with the tragedy, which is quickly followed by another brutal slaying. The murders are all connected by one element: the word “virgin” carved into the victims’ flesh. Soon Jody has a close encounter with the maniac, apparently a gaunt woman with long black, gray-streaked hair. When word breaks out across the school about the killer’s modus operandi, the students come up with a novel, perverse method of removing themselves from consideration as the next victims. —Mondo Digital