Rating summary

Movie		1.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

Sorority Slaughter Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 21, 2021

My first exposure to the ways of W.A.V.E. Productions was found in “Mail Order Murder,” a documentary detailing the artistic vision of a company dedicated to the creation of extreme fetish videos for fans who often submitted their own requests, specifying their turn-ons. It wasn’t cutesy stuff either, with the videos often including hardcore violence against women, feeding imaginations best left starved. “Mail Order Murder” was an eye- opening viewing experience and a well-done documentary, but now W.A.V.E. releases are coming to Blu-ray, with 1994’s “Sorority Slaughter” testing the waters to see if VHS-shot obsessions from nearly 30 years ago can find an audience today.

Plot isn’t a priority for W.A.V.E. Productions, and “Sorority Slaughter” doesn’t entirely bother with a story. There’s something about a suburban creep trying to reach “Radu” and eternal life, preying on young women in the area, sacrificing them to power his evil. All that doesn’t exactly matter, with director Gary Whitson concentrating more on the fetishes he’s trying to celebrate, creating lengthy scenes that focus on showering, wrestling, pool frolicking, car washing (in real time!), French kissing, and vomiting. Of course, murder is the main course in this buffet of that’s-okay-I-don’t-want-to- know pleasures, explored in extended scenes of females being carved up by large knives, with their innards pulled out for inspection.

Ugliness is the W.A.V.E. way, and there’s certainly an audience for this type of low-res filmmaking. It’s all backyard production values and terrible acting, with the talent often stepping on each other’s lines, while sound quality is determined by whomever is standing closest to the camera. And yet, “Sorority Slaughter” isn’t really a Bad Movie Night delight, with the inherent darkness of the material and the company diminishing the fun factor of amateurs trying to pretend they’re involved in something that isn’t solely intended for grim masturbation purposes. There’s certainly goofiness everywhere in “Sorority Slaughter,” especially the lead-up to the French kissing sequence, but mild giggles triggered by production limitations are quickly turned into creepiness as Whitson keeps bringing real-world sexual violence and bodily harm into the picture.

Sorority Slaughter Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation is listed as a "New transfer from the original S-VHS master tapes." As with most W.A.V.E. productions, the goal isn't to make a pretty movie, just to get it done, preferably before nightfall. The viewing experience isn't built for fine detail, which isn't present, offering only the basics in clarity when exploring violence and nudity. Colors are also a tad washed out, offering a bit more punch with greenery and clothing. Delineation isn't strong. Age is apparent, with a few blips of damage.

Sorority Slaughter Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA doesn't provide anything more than the basics of dialogue exchanges, which aren't always clear when the camera is far away from the actors (included subtitles help). Music retains a mild synth presence, providing different support for horror and comedy.

Sorority Slaughter Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features actors Laura Giglio and Dave Castiglione.

• "Sorority Girl Murder" (54:07) is listed as an "Alternate cut incorporating new footage shot in 2012."

• Vintage T.V. Interview (13:46, SD) presents an episode of "The Video Makers," a Delaware-based program that welcomes guests Gary Whitson, Sal Longo, and FX artist Aven Warren.

• Deleted Scene (6:41, SD) features an introduction by Tina Krause.

• "Sorority Slaughter 2" (107:25) is a 1996 sequel directed by Gary Whitson.

• And a Vintage W.A.V.E. Trailer Reel (5:09) is included.

Sorority Slaughter Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Far be it from me to kink-shame anyone. If "Sorority Slaughter" is your thing, enjoy it. But on a purely technical level, Whitson is stumbling through this endeavor, unable to keep up with visual and audio demands, and he's way too permissive with improvisation, allowing the cast many opportunities for make-em-up lines that expose thespian shortcomings. This is Z-grade stuff for an extremely specific audience, and it should be more entertaining. Instead, it's a slog, and one that mixes bleak violence with softcore pursuits. After watching "Sorority Slaughter," one feels more like an accessory than a viewer.