Girls’ Night Out (2017)

Directed by: Philippe Gagnon | 84 minutes | thriller | Actors: Mackenzie Mauzy, Jacob Blair, Hannah Emily Anderson, Kelly Kruger, Katherine Barrell, Cody Ray Thompson, Tristan D. Lalla, Jennifer Garnett, Alex Ivanovici, James Milvain

The Canadian ‘Girls’ Night Out’ – not to be confused with the American comedy of the same name starring Scarlett Johansson – can be regarded as a ‘Saw’ rip off for readers of the Viva. Sadistic tests in which the participants have to do penance are alternated with serious girl talk. This bizarre combination results in a downright mushy thriller that will leave you with an open mouth. Because what the hell were you looking at?

What should be a great bachelorette party turns into a nightmare when bride-to-be McKenzie (Mackenzie Mauzy) discovers that her ex-boyfriend Brandon (Jason Blair) has taken her future husband Reese (Cody Ray Thompson) hostage. The angry ex is not happy with the upcoming wedding, because he thinks he was dumped unjustly. To make McKenzie’s life miserable, Brandon has devised a diabolical plan. The four partying ladies are split into two groups and have to carry out all kinds of cruel tasks. When they refuse, the gagged Reese is horribly mutilated. While video calling, the ladies show that they obey their attacker. Each task involves the savage past of the girlfriends who have had a rather dubious college life. Meanwhile, McKenzie tries to find out where her ex is.

Where to start? This schizophrenic TV movie by Philippe Gagnon doesn’t know what it wants to be. The broken act ‘Girls’ Night Out’ starts as a chick flick full of partying ladies and a real strip act, then the production takes a torture-porn like setting and then goes on a melodramatic tour. The downright idiotic denouement leaves you in disbelief. The script is downright muddled and this film is neither meat nor fish. Yet this production is quite watchable, because you fall from one surprise to the next.

The tests that the villain exposes his victims to are hilarious. For example, a friend has to mark the ‘problem areas'(!) on McKenzie’s body with a marker, while her ex reminisces about their relationship. “You always thought your knees were ugly, didn’t you?” After successfully(?) completing this trial, McKenzie is angry with her friend, because she feels humiliated. A scene before that, however, Reese’s finger was cut off, which is then less dwelt on.

Another notable series of passages are the trial introductions in which the angry ex announces in a romantic, sweet-voiced manner what is about to happen and refers to his relationship with McKenzie. Brandon doesn’t radiate a threat for a second. This mess is followed by a welles-nietes game that deals with the concept of date-rape in a rather grubby way. Very tasteless. ‘Girls’ Night Out’ is unadulterated pulp and a failed hybrid between genres that don’t belong together. If you happen to be that ‘Saw’ devouring Viva reader with a penchant for melodrama and tacky whodunits, this is your new favorite movie!