Cutting Class (1989)
In a small high school, a teenage girl becomes friends with a mysterious and troubled classmate who is suspected of being a brutal slasher targeting students. As the body count rises and suspicions grow, she starts to question whether her new friend is the killer or if there’s something darker at play. The closer she gets to uncovering the truth, the more dangerous things become, leading to a terrifying game of cat and mouse where no one can be trusted, and everyone is a potential victim.
Cutting Class is one of those movies that’s so 80s and so ridiculously fun, you can’t help but enjoy it, even if it’s not a masterpiece. The plot is classic slasher fare—someone starts picking off high school students, and it’s up to the characters to figure out who’s behind it all. But what makes this one stand out is how it balances horror with a surprising amount of humor. Brad Pitt (yes, that Brad Pitt) plays a pretty charming, yet goofy character, which is honestly a lot of fun to watch. The movie doesn’t take itself too seriously, which is a huge plus because it allows you to enjoy the campy kills and over-the-top reactions. The mystery behind the killings is pretty simple, but the atmosphere and the 80s teen slasher tropes make it worth a watch if you're in the mood for something light and not too scary. It’s definitely not the scariest or the most well-crafted slasher film out there, but if you love the kitschy charm of 80s horror flicks, Cutting Class will probably hit the spot.
Cutting Class is one of those quirky teen slasher films from the late ‘80s that blends suspense with a bit of dark humor. It’s a bit of a nostalgia trip, with all the familiar high school tropes—awkward teen love, cliques, and the drama that seems so important when you’re in that age group. But then, there’s the murder mystery that keeps things suspenseful and, honestly, a little ridiculous in the best way possible. The plot revolves around a group of high school students, including the main character, a young woman trying to navigate the usual teenage angst, who find themselves caught up in a series of mysterious deaths. Of course, the tension is constantly ramped up by the fact that everyone is a suspect, and the killer is always one step ahead. What I find interesting about Cutting Class is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. It has the classic “whodunit” feel, but with enough comedic moments to keep it light-hearted. There’s something fun about how it plays with the typical slasher formula, even if it doesn’t reinvent the genre. The characters are a bit over the top, but that’s part of the charm of ‘80s slasher films. If you’re in the mood for a movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously, with a mix of teen drama, slasher thrills, and just enough mystery to keep you guessing, Cutting Class is a fun throwback.