In the midst of other genre greats like George A. Romero, Wes Craven, and Tobe Hooper passing away, it’s nice to see Tom Holland still making movies. The man wrote many a genre mainstays (Cloak & Dagger, Psycho II, etc.) and also delivered at least two stone cold classics as a director (Fright Night, Child’s Play). Throw in fun efforts like Thinner and some good work on television and Mr. Holland has more than earned his status as a “master of horror”.
Rock Paper Dead is a thriller about a serial killer who has seemingly been cured of his psychosis. The film opens within him deep in his insanity and in the midst of his latest murder, but things quickly speed through his trial and initial institutionalization. Not long after, we jump to him being released. He seems fine and his doctor is 100% behind him, but the cop (Michael Madsen) who put him away isn’t convinced.
It’s a good thing too, because his mind is still fragile as can be. Once a new neighbor enters the fray and begins probing him for information on his murderous past, what little grip he still has on his sanity begins to loosen. It’s not a spoiler to say that his old bad habits rear their ugly head not long after, as the true devil is in the details.
I will never place Rock Paper Dead alongside his best work, but it’s nice that it exists. The fact that he managed to make it with the screenwriter of Friday the 13th (Victor Miller) and Jason Voorhees’ personal composer (Harry Manfredini) only furthers the feature’s horror cred. I wish I loved it, I really do, but it sadly fell completely flat for me on almost every level.
Given the talent involved, this one seems likely to continue to carve up interest as it makes the rounds and I can’t fault horror fans for remaining excited for its eventual wide release. It wasn’t for me, but who knows? Maybe you’ll love it where I didn’t? Regardless, Tom Holland and his filmmaking legacy still deserves our respect.
Rock Paper Dead is an original serial killer thriller. It is directed by Tom Holland, from a screenplay by Kerry Fleming and Victor Miller. The film is produced by Adam S. Clark, Josh Holland, Ed Marx, Victor Miller, Kerry Fleming, and Amy Williams. It stars Michael Madsen, Luke Macfarlane, Jennifer Titus, Tatum O’Neal, Maureen McCormick, Quinton Aaron, Najarra Townsend, Ari Lehman, Natalina Maggio, John Dugan, Anna Margaret, Kimberly Russell, Gabrielle Stone, and Nicole Pierce.
