by It’s been forever and a day since I’ve sat down and put virtual pen to paper for a review here on the site. In fact, I can’t believe it but it’s been over a YEAR since I reviewed 2022’s Prey. Well, time to remedy this situation, though I’ll admit this one isn’t going to be a typical review either because it comes with an interview with the director as well!
Back today reviewing the 2022 (ish) film by Eddie Lengyel known as Sluagh Awakens. You’ll see as we get into the interview why I say 2022 ish.
I have to get this out of the way up front – Sluagh Awakens isn’t my favorite Eddie Lengyel film. I think that’s partially due to the issues encountered during filming and reshoots. But that’s not to say there isn’t some good stuff here. To begin with, there’s some things here from a direction standpoint that are clearly the best things Eddie has done IMO. There are overhead drone shots that haven’t appeared in previous films and there’s a ‘creep factor’ here that I don’t remember from previous films either.
I’m a Cleveland native so seeing scenery and locations that I’m familiar with is always a nice touch, though if you’re not from Northeast Ohio that’ll be lost on you.
This is effectively a zombie creature feature film. It was nice to see some familiar faces here including Roger Conners in the lead role. I know him from previous Eddie Lengyel films and a slew of other stuff. Roger and his wife Maive are on a camping trip. They stop into a local bar and are told the story of the Sluagh by the bartender (Don Kilrain). Essentially the Sluagh is a demon monster that comes around every so often and fucks people up. I’m being purposefully vague in my description here because I can’t be more specific… I never quite understood what the Sluagh was.
Some quotes from my watch through notes:
- Creepy bartender (Don) tells about Sluagh.
- Roger / Maive killed by Sluagh in woods.
- Roger survives. Picture of wife on nightstand. With hooker?
- A lot of drinking, smoking and being dicks.
- Unlimited bullets.
- Roger in the house. Cunty sister gets bit. Pierce gets taken.
- Virgin sacrifice
- Roger dies. Cunty dies.
- Is this a zombie movie? A demon movie? A vampire movie? Werewolf?
- Where the fuck is Jack?
- Wait… Roger isn’t dead?
I don’t want to provide any more plot details than that but I think those bullet points will give you an understanding of what you’re in for here. Apologies also for the name ‘Cunty’. That’s certainly no reflection on the actress who actually does a pretty tremendous job of being someone you can hate. I’d considered whether I edited the name but thought better of it… that’s what I wrote in my notes so that’s what I put in my review.
And now for some of my positive notes:
- Nice overhead shot in open
- Familiar names – Roger Conners (Colin) wife Maive
- Cleveland St. Pat’s Day Parade
- I don’t remember drone footage in previous Lengyel films – it really adds something.
- Good to see Eddie at the 40 min mark
- Slow motion, fades, drones, swipes, etc.
- Lost Boys homage – dancing around the bond fire
- Walking Dead
As you can see, if you’re a fan of the horror genre there really is a little bit of something for everyone here with Sluagh Awakens. I’m not sure how reshoots / edits came to affect the final product but I can only assume that some of my questions may have been left on the cutting room floor or potentially lost to the digital ether.
AUTHOR’S NOTE: In re-reading my review here I realize I’ve left out some important points. This really is a movie about Jack (Don Kilrain). I mentioned him as the bartender but I realize the review reads with him as sort of a bit part. It’s not… he’s what I’d call the protagonist here. If you’re familiar with Eddie’s work you’ll know Don as they’re worked together often, including my favorite Lengyel film Scarred where he played the big bad Jonah Kandie.
Interview With Sluagh Awakens Director Eddie Lengyel
I’d like to thank Eddie Lengyel for once again sitting down with ScareTissue for an interview!
Chewie: It’s been several years since we’ve done an interview. (2018 Interview With ‘Lilith Ratchet’ Director Eddie Lengyel). What’s Eddie Lengyel been up to since then?
Eddie Lengyel: We have been pretty busy, we did a 10 year anniversary edition of Hellweek, we finished up Sluagh and right now we are in post with the Legend of the Melon Heads and Byte.
Chewie: Tell us about Sluagh Awakens – how’d you come up with the story?
Eddie Lengyel: Sluagh was suppose to be a family friendly fairy based movie which ended up on the opposite end of the spectrum.
Chewie: Where was Sluagh Awakensshot? Any stories about cast and crew?
Eddie Lengyel: Sluagh was shot mainly out at the Iron horse Saloon and the night shots were mainly out in Burton, Ohio at my friends place. The cast and were really good, they all showed up and never complained. We had some pretty long and intense nights too.
Chewie: I seem to remember a story on social media about film that was lost – was that this film? What’s the story?
Eddie Lengyel: Yes the previous camera guys who shot the first 30 minutes had a computer glitch and lost the footage. Thank God we were able to get it back without losing any shots.
Chewie: I see some things in here that I don’t recall from your previous films – drone footage, etc. Was that by design, just a new toy?
Eddie Lengyel: Yes that was by design. It was time we stepped up our game.
Chewie: What’s next after Sluagh Awakens?
Eddie Lengyel: Melon Heads and Byte, This winter possibly a fairy tale or Sweet Treats (a female terrifier)
As you can see, lots going on for Eddie Lengyel. If you’re a fan of his work there’s lots on the horizon to look forward to!
