While slashers and demonic spirits have been cornerstones in the horror pillars, recent decades have proven just how terrifying holidays can be. From My Bloody Valentine, to Trick R’ Treat, just about every holiday has had its turn to strike fear into the hearts of millions. One team of indie filmmakers have made their take on the holiday season, with their farcical comedy, President’s Day
President’s Day follows a group of hyper-trope teens who embark on a weekend trip to a secluded cabin. What begin as a found footage film quickly turns into a more acceptable not found footage once the cameras batteries die. The group consists of the overly masculine (and dim witted) jock, his super slutty girlfriend, the nerd, the token black character (who seems more of a Frasier parody than anything else), the quit goth girl, the silent, tough guy, and of course, the virgin girl. On the way to the cabin, they are stopped at a toll booth where a man gives them a long winded warning about said cabin. Upon arriving, the teens find themselves fighting a hoard of undead Presidents.
The film stars Monica Ricketts, David Zuckerman, Jud Zumwalt, Brittany Faith Rosoff, Chelsea Taylor Leach, Dax Hill, Benjamin Goodwin, and Michael Minto as John Wilkes Booth. President’s Day was written by David Zuckerman, Benjamin Goodwin, and Jud Zumwalt, directed by David Zuckerman
President’s Day does a great job poking fun at every low budget horror movie that has come out in the last decade. While the film appears ultra low budget (and probably was), there are several gags and jokes that make fun of the bad actors, plot points, and even death rules in a way that makes your ribs hurt from laughing too hard. The cast was great, playing true to their characters while overacting just enough to get their point across.
If you are a fan of B-horror and low budget horror comedy, then President’s Day is definitely for you. It is a fun way to spend an hour and a half, while supporting up and coming talented filmmakers, and that’s what really matters.
