Is there anything more moving then the bond shared between women? That primal connection which aligns females all over the world as sisters? Laughing together, crying together, playing together, killing together, dying together …
In Stewart Hendler’s new horror thriller Sorority Row (a loose remake of the cult classic ’80s slasher The House on Sorority Row), that lethal turn of estrogen blending is exactly what happens.
The film stars celebrity offspring Rumer Willis (daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore … and stepdaughter to Ashton Kutcher) as the shy member of a group of sorority sisters whose not-so innocent prank involving one of their flock goes horribly, fatally awry.
When they attempt to cover up their grisly crime, the former BFF’s turn on each other, secrets are exposed and a masked serial killer begins murdering them one by one.
“My character is a bit of nerd, an innocent,” says Willis of her seemingly less manipulative role.
“She’s the voice of reason. She’s part of the gang and becomes caught up in the crisis, but she’s still somewhat on the sidelines. She can’t quite fit in with the rest of the girls.”
Rounding out the young cast is Briana Evigan (Step Up 2), Jamie Chung (Dragonball Evolution), Leah Pipes (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles) and The Hills starlet Audrina Patridge.
The film trades in cheesecake imagery, ripe melodrama and graphic horror, but — as Willis claims — Sorority Row’s bloody tongue is wedged firmly in cheek.
“It definitely has comedy in it,” says the actress.
“It’s an odd juxtaposition with the pretty girls and humour and the heavy gore. But I really think we didn’t push it as far as it could have gone. I mean there’s face ripping and stuff, but this is definitely not Hostel.”
Willis — who cites Stanley Kubrick’s immortal dystopian shocker A Clockwork Orange as a personal favorite — is also quick to admit that, although Sorority Row may be romp, heavy on the saucy pulp fiction and not meant to be taken too seriously, the subtext of sisterhood gone sour is steeped in truth.
“Trust me, women are much worse than men. When they want revenge they’ll get you right in the heart.”
• For Sorority Row trailer, photos and screen times — or to buy tickets — click here
