While the slasher film has often took place at a college campus, very rarely in modern times has it translated to a worthwhile feature.
Scream 2 is considered a tentpole for this part of the sub genre, and Jon Abrahams’ feature attempts to break new ground by using the plot motif of revenge porn.
While more thriller than out and out slasher, Exploited does weave an intriguing web with multiple narratives and largely gets things right.
It has some problematic elements including the use of rape as a plot device, whilst also juggling themes of being in the closet all within mobile technology.
Abrahams clearly wasn’t interested in a linear plot and attempted to throw many curve balls into proceedings and makes guessing the killer a puzzle right up until the final act.
Where Exploited does stumble is with main character Brian who never really feels like the lead in his own story, and often it is left to side characters to prop him up. Havign said this, his roommate Jeremy’s story becomes the more compelling and again while not fully rounded, it does pose some big questions.
In terms of gore its fairly light until coughs and spurts of brutality.
Exploited should be championed for attempting something different for a slasher film and while it won’t please everyone, it is certainly worth checking out.
Exploited releases on digital platforms from 2nd January 2023
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