The Last Showing (2014) User Reviews (27)

Alas poor Robert, I knew him well

[bowmanblue · 5/10 · 5 December 2014]

Like most horror fans, people will know Robert Englund best for his portrayal as spikey-fingered immortal nut-job, Freddy Kruger. No doubt about it – he was great. Whether he was darkly evil in the first few films, or comically evil in the franchise's dying days, he always turned in a good performance. Which is pretty much why I gave 'The Last Showing' a chance. I wish I hadn't.

It's about a couple – the girl from The Inbetweeners 2 and one of the guys from Game of Thrones – who watch a midnight screening of a horror film, only to find that the projectionist (Englund) is intent on making his own – murderous – movie. Sounds good. And, to be fair, the PLOT is. In fact, it could have been so much more. As it is, the two 'good' leads are pretty damn awful. Now, I'm guessing this isn't the actors' fault, as I've seen them both in the afore-mentioned shows and they're both capable of turning in decent performances. They just don't here.

I cringed when they were first introduced as they wandered around the empty cinema, spouting *supposedly* knowing social commentary on the state of horror/slasher films in general. Tip to film-makers: just because it worked well in the 'Scream' franchise, doesn't mean it'll work every time.

By the time Englund goes off the rails and starts torturing them, we're almost on his side. After all, he is – by far – the best performer in the movie. And he's the nut-job baddie. If you're a massive fan of Englund, you'll probably get more than most out of it. I did enjoy watching him, it's just he wasn't in it enough to really save it from being anything other than a – questionably-acted – B-movie.

Better Than I Thought It Would Be

[chrismackey1972 · 6/10 · 28 August 2014]

The synopsis on IMDb didn't make this sound very good, and I almost skipped watching it. The only reason I did watch it was because I like Emily Berrington. She was great in 24: Live Another Day, as well as in The White Queen. Robert Englund always ads a sense of fun in the horror/slasher genre. Finn Jones is good in Game of Thrones, so here's my review British lovers, Allie (Barrington) and her boyfriend Martin (Finn Jones), go to see the last showing of The Hills Have Eyes 2 and find they're the only ones in the theatre. Stuart (Englund) is a disgruntled cinema employee who is working as the concessionaire. He slips some drug into Allie's drink, just before she and Martin go into the movie. From there, Stuart proceeds to make his own movie, even though the actors - Allie and Martin - are less than willing participants.

The movie is well done, and the acting is good. The ending isn't what I expected, so I was pleased by that. I like being surprised. I don't know if this was exactly what would be called a low-budget, because all three of the stars are hardly no-names, and they probably were not cheap, but then again, none of them are especially sought after either.

I gave it a 6-star rating, because the story was original, as was the setting for it. I liked the cinematography, and the script was pretty good. I don't know that I'd watch it again, but I would recommend it. However, there are no jumps, but it was still fun enough for what it was.

Tickets please......

[FlashCallahan · 6/10 · 2 October 2014]

Allie, and her boyfriend Martin, go to see a midnight showing of The Hills Have Eyes 2 and find they're the only ones in the cinema screen.

Stuart, is an old school projectionist, who has since been relegated to concessions, following the advent of digital projection.

He slips drugs into Allie's lemonade, before her and Martin go into the movie.

From there, Stuart proceeds to make his own movie, even though Allie and Martin, are less than willing to star.....

For a low budget horror movie, it's surprisingly well made, and for once Englund isn't really hamming it up like he does in non Freddy horror movies. His Stuart is very mild mannered, almost Ned Flanders mild mannered, but you can understand why he is disgruntled in this digital world, his fellow colleagues and employer offer no respect, so why not take revenge by making your own movie.

By the time the second act begins, you can understand why the budget was so low, it's filmed in a Vue Cinema somewhere in Chester I believe, and I think the staff just locked the doors and let them get on with it.

It can get pretty tense in places, the stand off between Martin and the cinema manager is a highlight, but then it turns from a light horror film to 'Die Hard in a cinema', something that I thought would never be made.

And the ending is something that I wouldn't have expected the makers or the writers to, so kudos to them for coming up with something original, rather than going down the safe path, even though you subliminally promise a sequel.

But sadly, Berrington spends the majority of the film unconscious, Martin looks too much like Harry Styles from One Direction to convince as the hero, and Keith Allen pops up at the end looking for his career.

It references old school horror, and there is a slight message of Old School cinema is the best, but its worth watching, even though it can get a little formulaic.

To hell with plausibility.

[BA_Harrison · 3/10 · 15 July 2015]

Young couple Martin (Finn Jones) and Allie (Emily Berrington) attend a midnight screening at their local multiplex unaware that ageing projectionist Stuart (Robert Englund) is planning his own production with them as the stars.

The idea of a deranged cinema projectionist creating his own horror film with real people taking the place of actors is a rather a neat premise, but the actual execution lets this film down, with plausibility stretched to breaking point. In order for the film to work it requires its victims to behave precisely in the manner predicted by antagonist Stuart, something that simply asks too much of the viewer in terms of suspension of disbelief.

Countless 'what ifs' arise during the movie: What if someone else bought a ticket for the same showing? What if Martin had also tasted his girlfriend's drink? What if Martin hadn't panicked and shot the manager? What if he had called the police right at the start? What if Allie had collapsed while sat next to Martin? What if Martin didn't grab the gun left for him at the end? What if Allie and Martin had both (quite rightly) decided to go home rather than watching the rather awful The Hills Have Eyes 2 to the end?

These awkward questions (and many more I can't be bothered to type) make for an extremely frustrating film that either thinks it is cleverer than it actually is or hopes that the viewer is incredibly stupid.

Sucked. Just...sucked.

[terrencepatrix · 2/10 · 29 August 2014]

This movie sort of pokes fun at stereotypical behavior in horror movies...but not in a clever way. It puts forth a premise of what would an unsuspecting victim would do if they were placed within a horror movie scenario...with the antagonist planning their every reaction via horror movie stereotypes.

But even built on that premise...the behavior and acting is just SO TERRIBLE and not in a fun way. There are very few characters involved but not once did a single one take a second to try and assess what was happening to them instead jumping immediately to hackneyed and lame conclusions. I'm sure people react without reason when something jarring occurs but when you're given ample time to think about your situation in reality many people do figure out a path to safety eventually. They'll question their situation, they'll try to process it, they'll try and survive. Well people don't do that in this movie, they panic, then panic some more, and when given a break with plenty of time to explain their situation...they break down crying and blurt out nonsense.

It's just not good. There's no action in it to speak of, no gore, no clever plot twists. It's cliché packaged as intelligent...with no delivery in the intellect department. It's a completely juvenile script with no thought or depth to it and ultimately a pathetically simple film where no single person is able to rub two brain cells together to come up with a coherent thought.

Basically...it was just plain lame. I wouldn't recommend it, it's just not good entertainment.

Credibility stretched until it broke

[robertwest-45733 · 2/10 · 24 June 2018]

The premise of the movie seemed to offer many interesting possibilities. The old disgruntled employee made redundant by the passage of time and march of technology rendering his art (projection) dead, the attractive young naive couple charged with sexuality on a date and arrogant manager. Of course it was inevitable that the projectionist (RE) would snap and the victims would be the other characters. Its here that this movie hits its problems it is too cleaver for it's own good. So the projectionist manipulates the couple attending the late show in to being the lead in his very own horror show in which he the baddie is seen to save the day and the damsel in distress. The problem is the questions, why are these two the only people movie? How is RE able to know the exact time his drugging of the girl will take effect? How does he know that her boyfriend will act in the way he predicts? No I'm afraid this movies leaves to much to granted artistic licence. Maybe the main problem is this movie doesn't know what it is. Is it horror, well there's no gore no real scares, is it a physiological thriller, not enough tension no charterer depth at time it feels like we are drifting in a Saw type game playing movie without the gore. RE does what he does and of course he does it well, with a very limited script as for the other cast members they make a decent fist of what is basically a silly concept with smells of a writer setting out to show us how clever he is only to fail.

Can a movie be too clever?

[kosmasp · 6/10 · 16 October 2014]

I don't think so. But it can be too desperate for its own good. Freddy Kr... I mean Robert Englund delivers and he's elevating this movie above mediocrity. The script is nice and there are changes in pace and direction, but it thinks too much of itself at times. And tries too hard to satisfy a few needs, to really go the extra mile.

Having said all that and even though, it does have it's issues here and there (plot holes/character flaws), the movie is entertaining if you let it in. It played well enough at Frightfest in London and people enjoyed it for what it is. The ending was something else that really made the movie better (at least in my eyes). Depending on what you think about that, you might feel it's not as decent as I thought

Decent

[Red_Identity · 29 August 2014]

I certainly didn't expect much at first, but then I read some very positive reviews and also thought the first few minutes were really well done, so my expectations were heightened. I definitely think that the first half of this film is better than the second, which is why it's ultimately sort of disappointing. It's still watchable, if barely entertaining, but I feel like it definitely could have been more regarding its premise and its pretty original setting for a horror film. The acting is passable, but Englund really does bring a wicked charm to the role that he showed in the Elm Street films. Overall, I barely recommend this.

Awful and frustrating

[cbnewham · 1/10 · 19 February 2018]

The premise relies on the "killer" (dumb) boyfriend following all the instructions and not thinking for himself. Any self respecting person would realise half way through that they were being manipulated and would try to alter how events play out. A very frustrating ending.

Original, well played film

[sarla7 · 7/10 · 29 August 2014]

I was hesitant to watch this, but after reading a member review and seeing original storyline, I gave it a shot. Not only original, not only great, spot on acting, from the moment it starts, your hooked, lets see how the film plays out. I wouldn't classify it as a b film, but have no doubt it will amass a cult following. Watch the film with no expectations, watch it for a thriller/ quasi horror film..promise, you won't regret it.

so I need to make this review 10 lines, old timers who remember Nightmare on Elm Street, Robert Englund is AWESOME...Still was waiting to hear the blades scratching..this is not a remake (lame), not some t&a film..am I at 10 lines yet?

Props to Phil Hawkins, writer/ Director.. will be keeping an eye out for more.. Cheers.

Meh

[emtaylor-61063 · 4/10 · 25 June 2018]

It wasn't terrible and definitely had some good moments, Robert Englund gave a great performance and even though he played the villain I couldn't find myself hating his character all that much...honestly I didn't find myself having many strong feelings towards the movie at all...Overall the film felt lackluster and the ending was rather anti-climactic, I found myself being annoyed by the character's decisions more than anything else. To be fair, the plot could have had a lot of potential

Verdict: Great Thriller

[MoviesReviews101 · 8/10 · 14 September 2014]

Story: Ever get tired of the daily jobs? Well this shows what happens when one man gets pushed too far. When Stuart ends up in a heated argument with his boss he decides he wants to make his own film and who better to star in it than a young couple on a date. We see how Stuart puts Martin through hell to save Allie. There are twists in the story that really make a difference to anything we might have seen before. The one thing I really liked about this was the fact the couple were only just starting to date and we get to see how people can react to what could have been done while learning to trust instead of a long term couple who would never doubt each other. I was surprised with what I got here and I think this really needs to get a full cinema release, it is easily one of the best thrillers I have seen this year. (8/10)

Actor Review

Robert Englund: Stuart a cinema employee who can get all the odd jobs done, but when his boss pushes him too much, he finally snaps attacking him and setting up to make his own film with a young couple on a date. Robert is haunting in this performance, this could easily be put on a par with Robin Williams in One Hour Photo. (9/10)

Finn Jones: Martin who is on his date with Allie who doesn't really want to watch the film they are seeing. He gets put through tests by Stuart so he can save Allie, but things for him take a twist. Good performance showing how easily you can look wrong in the eyes of someone you are trying to get to trust you. (8/10)

Emily Berrington: Allie who brings her date to watch a midnight screening of a horror film (Good choice, sounds like a great date) but when she gets drugged, she spends half of the film being used as bait by Stuart before not knowing who to trust anymore. Good performance from Emily, could she become the English scream queen? (8/10)

Director Review: Phil Hawkins – I am always one to praise a director who can come up with an original idea and make it entertaining, watch out for this guy, brilliant work here. (9/10)

Thriller: Really keeps you guessing from start to finish just wondering what will happen next. (9/10) Settings: Isolation works perfectly here, being trapped in any building has been done but a new modern cinema really comes off original. (10/10) Suggestion: This is a must watch for all the thriller fans out there, it will tick all the boxes to make it an enjoyable experiences. (Thriller Fans Watch)

Best Part: Robert Englund is brilliant. Worst Part: Not enough people will see it. Favourite Quote: Stuart 'But I'm not the killer' Believability: I guess someone could snap but I don't think they would end up going this far. (4/10) Chances of Tears: No (0/10) Chances of Sequel: No Post Credits Scene: Yes Similar Too: One Hour Photo

Oscar Chances: No Budget: $2 Million Runtime: 1 Hour 29 Minutes

Overall: Brilliant Thriller Rating 85

TRUST ME. I'M A PROJECTIONIST

[nogodnomasters · 6/10 · 30 November 2018]

The film has a good opening. Red and white letter fonts, translucent green tinting and Robert Englund. We discover Stuart (Englund) works at a cineplex. He is dissatisfied with his boss and viewers. Allie (Emily Berrington) wants to go to the midnight showing of "Hills Have Eyes 2" and then give her boyfriend (Finn Jones) something special. A girl after my heart, but he is moody about it.

The boss (Malachi Kirby) and our twosome become the reluctant actors in a carefully orchestrated film, under the watchful eye and control of Stuart as he reads the main events off 3X5 cards.

This is a decent film. Certainly worth a rental for horror fans. Light on characters.

Parental Guide; F-bomb. No sex or nudity.

Englund At His Best

[shawnblackman · 5/10 · 12 October 2016]

After working as a projectionist for 25 years he decides he wants to make movies and his genre of choice is horror. The angle he wants to use is having real people commit the murders in his film. He hones in on a couple as his casting choice and starts filming. At the end of the film playing the couple find no one else around and before you know it she's been kidnapped with him locked inside the theatre. The boyfriend receives instructions from the disturbed projectionist on what to do if he ever wants to see... you know the rest.

Robert Englund plays the projectionist who has been told he can no longer be the projectionist limiting him to selling popcorn and cleaning. This of course helps in his new psychotic career choice. Englund plays the part to a tee. This wasn't too bad as watch how deep of a hole the boyfriend digs himself into. The ending might upset you if you like regular happy endings.

Creepy thriller; Englund outstanding

[vchimpanzee · 30 October 2016]

At the start of the movie it's not clear what is going on, but everything seems creepy because of the editing, the camera work, and the music.

I have seen Robert Englund, but I don't recall whether I've seen him as a horror movie villain, and I certainly haven't seen his trademark role. He is outstanding here as a villain, and now I want to see him in the other role. Here, he is creepy but calm and intelligent, sometimes friendly, occasionally funny, rarely angry. I'm not saying I was rooting for him, but Stuart is the type of villain one is tempted to see succeed.

Emily Berrington does a good job as well. She's pretty and adorable but slightly edgy and quite tough. We don't actually see that much of her, and much of the movie is a cat and mouse game involving Martin and Stuart. Finn Jones is capable of handling himself, but it is a challenge.

Malachi Kirby is tough as a boss when he has the authority, but in a crisis he's more of a coward. That still could mean a good performance.

I don't know the name of the police officer in charge, but he's really good.

There is some violence, but mostly the movie is very tense. It's effective as a thriller. There are so many challenges to be met.

I'm not a fan of horror, but this was really good, mainly due to Englund.

Aggressively Terrible

[talentest · 2/10 · 6 March 2024]

The entire plot is just so preposterous. It requires the audience to be as idiotic as the three leads to be riveted by anything happening onscreen. Most especially the idiot boyfriend who could've quelled almost every confrontation if only he knew how to communicate instead of acting like a lunatic and following the villain's every direction like he was trying to win a prize.

The girlfriend aint much better, especially once she decides her boyfriend violated her and killed someone -- both acts recorded by some stranger she immediately trusts -- to which she demands only to view proof of the killing and not of the supposed r@pe that poor helpless creepy stranger also "watched".

My Rating Scale: 1. - poorly produced/amateur crap 2. - utterly terrible 3. - bad 4. - mediocre 5. - average/serviceable and flawed 6. - entertaining with shortcomings 7. - entertaining/good 8. - incredibly good 9. - exceptional/great 10 - personal favorites.

Rip off.

[kriscrane · 1/10 · 8 September 2018]

This movie is a shameless rip off of ONE HOUR PHOTO. Robert Englunds character is literally a more twisted version of Robin Williams character Sy Parrish. Made in the same year he passed away. For shame.

Absolutely horrible

[halcy0n2004 · 1/10 · 26 September 2014]

Horrible acting, horrible plot, horrible cast, horrible sound, horrible dialogue, horrible everything. This is easily one of the worst movies I've watched in a long time. There wasn't even any boobs! I really wish I had not watched this movie. The plot was predictable. The acting was horrendous. The gunshots sounded like a cap gun. The main characters must have had part of their brain removed.

The movie tried really hard to be clever, and if there was a twist I must have missed it. The other reviewers for this movie are either paid or they didn't see the same movie that I did. Do yourself a favor and skip this one.

Interesting type of movie that I have seen.

[HorrorDisasterGuy-90617 · 7/10 · 30 October 2023]

The story is pretty good on how a projectionist wants to make a real horror movie by trapping a couple inside the movie theater. The movie have good suspense to it and I really like how the movie points fun of other horror movies throughout. Also the movie is really clever on how it's presented here with the style of the entire movie. Out of the characters, there's only one that stand out from the rest and that is Stuart. Stuart is a great villain who have a mess up mind and is really intelligent on what he's doing. He also the one who points fun of other horror movies which is pretty clever. And Robert Englund does an amazing job as the character who is both threatening and charming. I really like the whole atmosphere to this movie on how it's both creepy and dread on being trapped in a theater with a deranged guy who is filming you for his sinister motives.

Shame really

[jordanpe-72094 · 3/10 · 11 March 2018]

A plot that interested me with much potential, that failed so drastically with absolutely terrible dialogue and acting, with the exception of Mr. Englund, as his creep of a character really is the only reason to watch this film.

Boring horror/thriller

[Stevieboy666 · 3/10 · 2 September 2017]

Robert Englund is a horror legend, every horror fan knows that. However in addition to the likes of Freddy & The Phantom he's also been in a number of bad films, e.g Fear Clinic. Now I wouldn't call this a really bad movie but I just got bored with it & found myself rewinding several times because my mind had gone elsewhere. It can't make up it's mind whether it's a horror movie or a thriller & I found that frustrating. Englund himself gives a decent, creepy performance on the plus side.

Brilliant film with unique concept!

[kayzmanoski · 10/10 · 10 August 2018]

This film is one of the extremely rare type of films that relies on complete originality and risk yet makes it into a classic that parallels those of Stephen King such as Carrie in the dynamics of the unravelling of the act, and executing the sinister but brilliant finish. As a film connoisseur I must admit this is one of the rare risks of a film that turns out brilliant, the acting was fine but the concept and the plot of this movie along with the vilanious character will absolutely leave you filled with joy if you like original concepts executed in a classical way, yet still retain a signature of the director's unconventionality and uniqueness. The vilain of this film makes you secretely cheer for him, and I would place the vilain of this film in top 20 vilains of cinema of all times.

Good effort but awkward outcome

[jmbovan-47-160173 · 5/10 · 25 April 2021]

Man loses his cool and decides to create his own horror film, setting the stage himself using the unsuspecting patrons of a late night movie showing. Englund does well as the crazed film maker, but the premise becomes a bit to cliched and contrite to make the conclusion worth the ride. Decent effort, well produced, solidly acted, but it doesn't quite add up to what the parts could have made it.

Robert Englund appearance suckered me in

[ladylilu30 · 4/10 · 12 January 2019]

I had to fast forward, found out I did not miss anything from this, it was so annoying, how quick this chick was to mistrust her beau, lol.

Average thriller film

[funnycommentor · 5/10 · 14 January 2023]

The plot of the movie was kinda interesting and I decided to watch that movie, because I would like to give a chance to that low budget film. The storyline was average, because there were some plot holes, but sometimes it was well-written. The characters weren't very interesting, nor well-developed and not really likeable (they were all kinda annoying). The filming location of the movie was only one (the movie theater) and I really liked it. In my opinion, the concept of the movie was really interesting and I really liked it, but it wasn't very well-developed.. The killcount of the movie wasn't bloody at all, nothing wow. Of course, it was a really intense movie, but most twists were definitely expected. The ending scene was kinda expected and it was just okay.. Overall, it was an average low budget thriller/action film that didn't had any unexpected twists, but the concept of the film was really interesting.