Alice Maio Mackay’s acclaimed slasher Bad Girl Boogey is streaming free with ads on Tubi and Fandango, it's also streaming for subscribers of Shudder. Described as "a transgender and queer film" with a fun cameo from horror icon Bill Moseley.
The slasher was originally released on digital platforms on July 4, 2023 in select theaters on July 7th, 2023 and a DVD release on July 11, 2023. It received a positive reception at its premiere at Popcorn Frights Film Festival and a healthy festival run.
SYNOPSIS: Angel's mother was brutally murdered one Halloween night when blood was shed by a deranged killer wearing a parasitic mask cursed with black magic and bigotry. Sixteen years later, when Angel’s best friend is slaughtered by a killer with the same mask, they must overcome their personal struggles, fight their fear, and find the masked killer before he, or it, slaughters everyone they hold dear.
Alice Maio Mackay, a 16 year old transsexual filmmaker, directed, produced, and co-wrote with Ben Pahl Robinson. It stars Lisa Fanto, Iris Mcerlean, Prudence Cassar, Steven Thai, Hoa Chris, Asimos Oscar, Michalak, Lewi Dawson, Toshiro Glenn, Kate Bonney, Hjálmar Marteinsson, Stanley Browning, Molly Ferguson, Joe Romeo, Emma Bleby, Erin Paterson, Georgie Cufone, and Michelle Nightingale.
Trailer:
Interview Alice Maio Mackay:
Interview Popcorn Frights Virtual Sessions: Director Alice Maio Mackay:
An Exclusive Interview with Alice Maio Mackay:
Alice Maio Mackay Interview:
Jack-O's Review: “Bad Girl Boogey never escapes the limitations of its low budget, and it's weighed down even more by irritating, unlikable characters that make it harder to stay engaged. Although there are some bloody kills, they aren’t enough to make the film feel fully realized. Despite being set on Halloween, the seasonal atmosphere is almost nonexistent—beyond a mask and a few balloons and decorations in the opening, there’s little that actually connects it to the holiday. It just didn’t work for me.” ★★ @trickhorrortreater
More Reviews:
“Bad Girl Boogey is an intense, bloody slasher that features compelling performances, gruesomely creative kills, and profound commentary on the deadly consequences of allowing bigotry and hatred to go unchecked. The film also has a fun cameo from horror icon Bill Moseley (The Devil’s Rejects). With the impressive work Mackay has done telling queer horror stories with small budgets, it will be exciting to see what she can do with a big budget one day.” ★★★★ Bloody-Disgusting.com
“On the surface, this is a slasher in which a killer targets queer kids. Intentional or not, it borrows from the classic Demons—anyone who puts on a possessed mask goes on a killing spree. However, if you look deeper, this isn’t just another masked boogeyman movie. It’s a story about how queer kids are treated—they are misunderstood, they are bullied, the adults around them ignore what they are going through when not rejecting them, and most tragically, they are being murdered by hate...The film is quirky and has a distinct visual style, with lots of choppy editing and neon lighting set to alternative music, making it feel like an artsy music video at times. Plus there are some good practical gore effects. Also of note is that it is very clearly stated that the events are taking place on Halloween, yet there’s little in the way of Halloween atmosphere. You’d think a bunch of queer kids would make Halloween something extra special.” BoysBearsAndScares.com
“...it’s evident to me that Mackay really knows and loves her genre films. Oh, and the kills here are quite gruesome at times, which should please slasher fans ... Bad Girl Boogey is self-aware, while at the same time, it doesn’t feel like a retread of every other slasher. This is one stylish, out and proud queer horror film by an impressive young talent.” 7 out of 10, HorrorBuzz.com
“One thing that the viewer can’t fault are Bad Girl Boogey’s effects ... Overall Bad Girl Boogey has a lot going for it, for only her second feature Mackay shows a talent for staging the suspenseful and violent scenes a film like this requires. Hopefully, she’ll get a better grasp on pacing and revealing information.” ★★★½, VoicesFromTheBalcony.com
“Mackay tells a story rooted in reality and elevated by this supernatural plot device to represent a greater societal imbalance. With some memorable kills, likable characters, and a breezy run time, Bad Girl Boogey is not a slasher to miss. With an inventive story, Mackay adds another queer horror entry to their list and to the genre, bending tropes and creating bloody imagery to last.” Warped-Perspective.com
YouTube Reviews:
Stills:
