Founders Day is a new horror/slasher film directed Eric Bloomquist, who has previously helmed films like Ten Minutes To Midnight, Long Lost, She Came from the Woods, Long Lost and Weekenders. He specializes in the horror-comedy genre as that is the genre he has worked on in his entire career until now. His recent venture, Founders Day is no exception. Founders Day focuses on a series of ominous murders in a small town just days before a heated mayoral election. As accusations fly and the threat of a masked killer darkens every corner, residents must race against time to uncover the truth. If this premise sounds familiar, then you must be remembering last year’s Thanksgiving that also focused on a masked murderer terrorizing a small town after a Black Friday sale ends in a tragedy. The Eli Roth directorial aimed to portray the ugly consumerism rampant in America while Bloomquist’s attempt seems to be highlighting the political divide in current America. Is the film successful in doing so? Let’s hear the critics.
Founders Day Reviews: Impactful Social Commentary?
The reviews of Founders Day are positive for the most part, but critics do warn audiences that the film isn’t an all out bloody slasher/horror film. It is primarily a social commentary on the politically polarized American society. So, avid fans of the genre might be disappointed if they walk in to theatres with the wrong expectations. At the time of writing, Founders Day has 92% from 13 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. Read the critics’ reviews below:
Joe Lipsett (Bloody Disgusting) – “Overall Founders Day is a mixed bag: the cynical political elements are novel and the killer’s mask is visually distinct, but the film is held back by its performances and some bumpy plot mechanics.” Original Score: 2.5/5
Norman Gidney (HorrorBuzz) – “The Bloomquists know exactly what they are doing and they play with the audience mercilessly, practically torturing fans of the genre. It’s so much fun.” Original Score: 8/10
Jared Mobarak (Hey, Have You Seen …?) – “What’s fun about the film is that it proves to be [about justice and jealousies] at once. And rather than be a cop-out as a result, this reality enhances the whole.” Original Score: 6/10
Bobby LePire (Film Threat) – “The screenplay has a lot it wants to say and does so in a fun, murderous way lined with wicked humor. All the actors understood the assignment and successfully pull off their roles.” Original Score: 10/10
Rich Cline (Shadows on the Wall) – “Actor-filmmaker Erik Bloomquist packs a lot into this nutty movie, which is sure to keep genre fans happy.” Original Score: 3.5/5
Jennie Kermode (Eye for Film) – “Naturally, there is a fair bit of comment here on American society more generally, but what makes the film a success is that you don’t need to care about that for it to work.” Original Score: 3/5
Ben Robins (HeyUGuys) – “Yes, it’s hugely derivative to the point of basically just being a cheap re-working of Scream. But it’s also a consistently fun and smartly-shot whodunnit, with plenty here to keep horror fans engaged (and possibly even asking for a sequel).” Original Score: 3/5
Kat Hughes (THN) – “Another solid genre venture from Erik Bloomquist, Founders Day mixes Scream and Election with exciting results.” Original Score: 3/5
Joel Harley (Starburst) – “With other members of the cast struggling to hold up their end, it’s down to veterans Catherine Curtin and William Russ to man the fort, giving an air of respectability to the misjudged comedy and clunky social commentary.” Original Score: 3/5
Anton Bitel (Projected Figures) – “Erik Bloomquist’s calendar horror is all at once highschool slasher and smalltown satire of a politically polarised America.”
Nathaniel Muir (AIPT) – “Owes a huge debt to Scream – sometimes distractingly so. It is not the first horror themed whodunit to use it for inspiration, but it is one of the better ones. It never feels like a lifeless clone thanks to its creative villain and fun mystery.”
Tyler Doupe (Dread Central) – “Fresh and unexpected, with likable characters, ‘Founders Day’ is sure to delight slasher enthusiasts.” Original Score: 3.5/5
Stephanie Malone (Morbidly Beautiful) – “Inventive and fun with cool kills, this is another Bloomquist Brothers’ delight for old-school horror fans — with an intriguing killer, a cool aesthetic, a decent amount of blood, solid practical effects, a talented cast, and great cinematography.” Original Score: 3.5/5
Founders Day will release in USA theatres on January 19th, 2024.
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