I always thought the dude's priorities were a little off when he was more concerned with Angela's genitalia than... _A SEVERED HEAD._ But that's just me.

@griffinboyce2896

3 жыл бұрын

Dude, right? If I found out someone just killed like ten people I wouldn't be like "wow she's trans". Like not even top ten things I'm worried about lmao

@CSGraves

3 жыл бұрын

@@griffinboyce2896 'So many dead... EW, a PEEN!'

@TotinosOtherBoy

3 жыл бұрын

@@griffinboyce2896 he isnt trans though

@fluorescentmilkshake

3 жыл бұрын

Whose priorities? The Steve Guttenberg-y camp counselor with the huge muscles? (The only reason I ask is because Susie was standing right next to him.)

@CSGraves

3 жыл бұрын

@@fluorescentmilkshake It _has_ been 17 years since I last saw the movie, so there's the distinct chance I'm forgetting some of the other characters.

Off to camp with Counselor May. An excellent way to spend quarantine.

This was my super gay Creative Writing teacher's favorite bad movie. We bonded over that fact when I spent the week before Halloween walking around with a hockey mask and Freddy glove clipped to my backpack as a reference to the poster for Sleepaway Camp 2. He pulled me aside, told me I had impeccable taste, and then gave me 10 bonus points for the day. He was an absolute legend.

@CERTAIND00M

3 жыл бұрын

@Dench2020 The school was N.O.C.C.A. and the teacher was Brad Richard, an award-winning poet and author. Ask him if it happened.

@lazyrmc

2 жыл бұрын

@@CERTAIND00M that's really cool

It occurred to me that the trans identity was forced upon Angela in the same way that cis-identity is forced onto trans people when they’re growing up or even as adults. She did not choose to be a girl, her aunt chose for her. If you ascribe the idea that she kills “ because she’s trans” (which honestly feels like the intention of the filmmakers. Otherwise they wouldn’t have the stinger take on such an ominous tone) That’s not really because she’s trans but because she’s being denied her own gender identity. Which circles back around to be a pro trans narrative anyway. It’s a lot of mental gymnastics to make this not transphobic, but it is a start.

@Phos67

3 жыл бұрын

What's transphobic about it?

@flo4223

3 жыл бұрын

I think the same way! But unfortunately as you speculated I feel like the writers and a lot of the audience at the time would have been transphobic about it 😔

@Nightman221k

3 жыл бұрын

The ironic part is how the sequels have Angela transition to female when the first film pretty much shows that being forced to be female when Angela didn't want to be was what caused Angela's murderous tendencies.

[Watching Angela murder someone] Good for her.

@JohnDoe-xf8ew

4 жыл бұрын

[Angela severing Peter's head] She was the moment, an icon, a legend.

@TheAlanRaptor

3 жыл бұрын

I guess it's like watching Carrie kill people. Just as tragic of a story, honestly.

Can we also just note how fuckin' weird that mom character is? She's in the movie for such a short period of time. Yet her performance is super memorable.

@Trowa71

4 жыл бұрын

She kinda reminded me of Mister Deltoid from A Clockwork Orange.

@masonpomeroy8764

4 жыл бұрын

I think you’ll find there’s a WHOLE BAG!

@DrGregoryHouseIT

4 жыл бұрын

Her aunt? The one that practically represents transphobia?

@blitzie66

4 жыл бұрын

Gregory House elaborate pls, i thought the aunt was just psycho

@WhoTookMyMirr

4 жыл бұрын

She was scarier than Angela tbh

"Ladies and gentleman-" yea- "and those that are not" yo that me!!!

@CERTAIND00M

4 жыл бұрын

I MC burlesque shows (or did before the plague) and my go-to is, "Ladies, gentlemen, neither and/or both..."

@JimmyNails27

3 жыл бұрын

@@CERTAIND00M right on. I too host burlesque and cabaret shows and use a similar line.

"This Movie Does For Trans People What Fight Club Does For White Men" should be the new tagline for this movie.

@lindinle

4 жыл бұрын

"you are to humanity what lego bricks are to bare feet." should be the tagline of your life.

@12Tecpatl

4 жыл бұрын

@@lindinle good. suffer you little bitch.

@JimmyNails27

3 жыл бұрын

@@lindinle what does it feel like to be living garbage?

@lindinle

3 жыл бұрын

@@JimmyNails27 you tell me.

@BLVCKSHXXP

2 жыл бұрын

Angela wasn't trans though. Being brainwashed to act like the opposite gender isn't considered trans. I feel the person who made this video was watching this movie from a personal perspective

No mention of the other gay aspect of the film: Ronnie's Shorts

@timblom7364

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Cody, long time no see! used to watch you back in like 2014, This is some major nostalgia

@leejoelbeasley5005

4 жыл бұрын

that was standard NBA wear

@orlandowells5400

3 жыл бұрын

And don't forget about the baseball game scene with the half cut-offs shirts too...😄

@JacksonHerod

3 жыл бұрын

Not just Ronnie's.

@p.d.l7023

3 жыл бұрын

I hate to tell you but everyone dressed like that back then and I suppose it just didn't seem that way at the time.

I'd love a remake from her perspective. Like that's designed to be sympathetic to her

@CASTROandXOUT

4 жыл бұрын

I mean they spend the whole movie bullying Angela so id say it would be pretty weird if you didnt already sympathize with them

@derekgaines7679

4 жыл бұрын

@@CASTROandXOUT Agreed, you sympathize with her from the get-go. A lot of horror fans in the day were awkward and well, you can slap an awkward rubber stamp on Angela. By the second movie she's fully transformed and comfortable in herself. As a girl and a killer, and just wants the damn summer camp experience she wanted when she was younger and wanted people to just play their roles.

@Aster_Risk

4 жыл бұрын

I think the movie always wanted you to sympathize with her so you'd be conflicted about all the killing. But they also clearly felt that she was mentally ill from being forced to be raised as a girl. It's an accidentally trandphobic film, but still sympathetic.

@lindinle

4 жыл бұрын

ok as long as i get to make a movie that paints hitler in a positive light. i mean while we are on the topic of making bad guys sympathetic...

@lilyk3734

4 жыл бұрын

@@lindinle yeah sure I mean, there's no difference at all between genociding millions and killing a small group of bad people in a situation where like, it's arguable you don't have a whole lot of options there. Like about to be raped and killed by a pedophile and you're only hope to stop them is to kill them because even if you like knocked them unconscious they're going to wake up and use their social power to just try kill and rape you but more violent now as revenge and like really killing them or stripping them of their power which trans kids can't do are your only options? Well, you just have to get raped and die because if you don't that's literally the same as genocide, but apparently you getting raped and killed isn't the same because nothing's wrong with the movie trying to vindicate the people who want to hurt her? I think you might be being a little dishonest here, and also why Hitler? Like the guy people frequently do sympathise and rewrite history to make correct lol like you're also lying about that being a thing that isn't done with disgusting frequency and this, false equivalency is so blatantly obvious you're also yourself, blatantly obviously writing this at least a little sympathetic to Hitler, given that is what it means to downplay and trivialise the harm he's done to such a staggering degree

Angela's cousin, Ricky, is also a good ally because his response to seeing Angela mistreated is to beat the shit out of them.

"why does Angela gets to talk with the buoys all day, and we have to play vœlleybäll?"

@p.d.l7023

3 жыл бұрын

Did she actually talk to anyone though?

My theory: So the story is built on Angela being initially raised under the male gender, and then forced by a cray cray lady (who is a doctor) to transition to female. Meanwhile, they don't seem to get out much and they don't have any friends besides Ricky. At the same time these kids are going through puberty. Angela, who never chose to be a girl, is being forced to bunk with the girls. I think Angela is crushing on Judy the whole time and that's why they can't keep their eyes off her. Meanwhile the person they get along best with is Ricky's friend Paul. But what gets Angela to break out of their shell is Paul talking to Angela like theyre a friend and "one of the guys". Paul, however, is sexually interested in Angela, and Angela goes with it a bit until it becomes triggering. Such as the kissing scene and beach scene. But Angela never liked Paul in that way. Still, his betrayal cuts even deeper since he was kissing Judy. That really its a story about the feeling of dysphoria. Both in terms of gender and sexuality.

@Xehanort10

4 жыл бұрын

The long stares Angela gives Judy suggest that. Judy's bullying probably put an end to any crush Angela had though.

@bigbuckeyes

3 жыл бұрын

@@Xehanort10 Definitely, which was brought to a head when The Betrayal happened as Judy seduced Paul. Angela killing and also raping Judy with a hair iron can be seen as an extension of the sexual nature of her view of Judy. And Paul being her most brutal killing (decapitation) reflects how brutal his betrayal of friendship was.

@ktitwayne-leeakabane1345

3 жыл бұрын

I 100% agree with you and that is my theory too! :)

@rachellavalle4897

3 жыл бұрын

Yesssssss

@markalexander3659

3 жыл бұрын

Angela just hated Judy. She's attracted to boys and DOES like Paul. She mentions in one of the sequels that things between them ended to him having "a bad reaction" to her true self.

Ngl - That ending still creeps me out, with the uncanny mother’s dialogue, the creeping music building up and the dark lighting and unnatural posing and deep moaning. I think the killer’s face at the end was a facemask? Saw some behind the scenes image on Google.

Hey May, I just wanted to say that I’ve been a follower and fan for awhile now and that you being so out and proud about your gender identity has helped me realize my own. I just wanted to thank you for that.

@victoriakonrad9724

4 жыл бұрын

samesies tbh

@Kevo6492

3 жыл бұрын

Congrats to all of you!

"I support your journey, Angela"

@pistachioinlove2862

4 жыл бұрын

"Yass queeen slaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyy"

A couple of heterosexuals killed her family, then for whatever reason transitioning is forced upon her? (right?), then she (as I saw it) took revenge on this super hetero/traditional camp. Like, being traditional hetero horn dogs made those kids such shit heads? Like idk, seems like the themes are too muddied to glean a transphobic or protrans message. Like or maybe it was purely a bait and switch. Cause when the dude and kid get run over by the jet ski, we see the little boy lived, and maybe the filmmakers were sincerely hoping it wasn't stupid obvious that it was Angela killing the campers hoping we'd assume the boy was running around somewhere avenging her. And then they wrote themselves into a corner, needed a twist, and just made that odd (but neat) trans effect at the end? (that face tho) Then gave the twist a single line to explain it then end the movie. I wonder if a script exists.

@CERTAIND00M

4 жыл бұрын

When the conclusion of a feature-length film makes you genuinely wonder if a script for it exists... ^That's quality schlock, baby.

@zombiemomsen66

4 жыл бұрын

Exactly.

@danewardlocke9014

4 жыл бұрын

Apparently the kills were meant to feel deserved, and the director regretted some where the victims didn't actually do something that bad, compared to how awful most of them are. Angela was meant to be sympathetic while her victims very much weren't supposed to be, though I suppose you could still argue that it's just meant to make it more "surprising" when she turns out to be the killer instead of Ricky or something. I don't know, but it seems like it could be relevant at least.

@Trowa71

4 жыл бұрын

@@danewardlocke9014 That's fair, I think for the most part he was successful finding catharsis with killing the bullies aside from the last kill. And that would have helped the reveal if it wasn't already so obv. What he should have done was made it ambiguous which kid at the start died, and showed a male body doing the killing. (Also is there a theme at all? We could use one of those maybe.) And in the canoe murder, have the kid say "who tf are you" rather than "the boys would freak out seeing u here" giving the whole thing away.

Hey Nyx, one of the things you missed talking about, maybe it just didn't click, or you decided it wasn't important for the video, but I'd like to actually look at the entire Trilogy [ignoring Sleep Away Camp 4... no one counts 4...lol] Is that one of the common talking points from the transphobe fans is that Angela snaps because her transition was forced on her. Which in a vacuum of just SAC1, you can make the argument she's likely suffering massive gender dysphoria due to being forced into the feminine role. HOWEVER, if you look at the trilogy as a whole, by Sleep Away Camp 2, Angela's transition was apparently handled while she was in a mental institution. [sure we're furthering the 'trans people are crazy' narrative, but hold with me here.] Angela suffers no obvious signs of Gender Dysphoria by SAC2... none, she seems completely comfortable in her body and with herself and even with her sexuality and her body. Sure she's rather conservative in her ways sexually, but she knows she looks good and does use that to her advantage against her victims. And doubly so in Sleep Away Camp 3. Personally, Angela is super important to my own transgender journey, I never viewed her as a monster, if that was the intention of the director, he failed terribly on that, but did deliver a story that made me feel for Angela, and furthermore, the 2 direct sequels only furthered the feeling that Angela isn't a monster because she's trans, but that she was pushed to a breaking point, on top of other mental trauma from her youth[death of her father, ect], that caused her to snap, really in my mind, the fact she's transgender is incidental to her character, which I feel is one of the strengths of the movie. They never treat her like you'd expect someone telling an anti-trans message to treat her [beyond her being bullied, but kids bully kids all the time, so it's not purely due to her transgender status.] I don't feel you can look at Angela without including her portrayal in the sequels, as it paints a more complete picture of her as a person beyond her killer and transgender status. Just, something I always like to put out there when people discuss Sleep Away Camp.

@matthewbennett1972

4 жыл бұрын

Flash Frame my big question is was she psychopathic before going to camp or did she snap there? Also there is a theory that Ricky did all the other killings besides the beach beheading. I think Angela is a psychopath with lots of repressed anger that just happens to be a trans woman ( not by choice initially). I think it speaks to how we have roles thrust upon us by others. For a sympathetic killer that end scene is terrifying the animal growling that face classic.

I get that a lot of ppl are distressed (?) about the concept of Angela being forced to transition but the (dubious quality) sequels pretty much confirm that's not the case if ppl want in-universe comfort. Angela is a trans-woman.

@ThirdEyeFilmz

4 жыл бұрын

Perhaps Angela’s parents were trying to “cover up” her dysphoria but inadvertently gave Angela the power she really needed to become independent and autonomous from everyone through violence

@allisonfields3108

4 жыл бұрын

Oh, I never saw the sequels and this is actually somewhat comforting. I myself am not trans but my girlfriend is and she was always super distressed about this, and she felt guilty for actually liking the film for the same reason a lot of trans folks do. Maybe we'll sit down for a movie night and watch the sequels soon!

@DrGregoryHouseIT

4 жыл бұрын

In my opinion, that makes it worse.

@anatrindade8446

4 жыл бұрын

and in the sequels shes almost the anti-hero. definitely not the villain at least

@ryno1509

4 жыл бұрын

Most of the sequels aren’t cannon to the original the writer confirmed, I’ve even heard that the Angela with amnesia might not even but the same character she just thinks she is

I remember in Sleepaway Camp 2 one of the camp counselors was telling a story about Angela around the campfire, and he said, "While she was locked up, she got a sex-change operation, and our parents' tax dollars paid for it." And that tax thing was apparently the scariest part, in his mind.

The best part of this movie to me is all the unintentionally hilarious dialogue. That’s one of the biggest reasons to watch it imo. I also really like the first two sequels. Even though they’re comedies and the kills are heavily censored, they feel like much more positive portrayals to me. And Pamela Springsteen as Angela is so fucking fun to watch

I have interviewed Felissa (Angela) several times for a horror convention. I've asked her this exact question about the intention behind making it. At no point did the writer/director treat the character as anything but a girl. The twist at the end was to show this was forced upon her, probably intended as an unintentional torture of "Peter" as a child by the Aunt. However Angela is a girl. And in the Horror Community she is considered THE Female Slasher. She is treated as female by fans throughout the series and she is rooted for as the "hero" of the first one since all those kills are 100% justified. Throughout the rest of the franchise she sticks with (for the most part) only killing "deserving" people. Just my two cents. Absolutely love your content BTW just wanted to add a little more info since I had it straight from the Queen's mouth as it were.

petition to rewrite Sleepaway Camp as a revenge thriller

The thing I never understood: what the hell was up with Angela's "animal noises"? As if she's snarling in her final form..😅

@urspookyate

4 жыл бұрын

HNGG me too this scared me a lot ngl

Even back in the day she was the most sympathetic killer in a horror movie. I saw this on VHS when I was like 12 and we all felt sorry for her. There's literally no reason to hate her for her actions even before the big reveal. The sequels were hideous but this one is a classic.

I always thought she was the hero of the movie. The thing that scarred me way more in this movie was the pedo cook.

I wish there was a horror film with a trans protagonist portrayed well. That would be pretty nice.

@ChicaneryBear

4 жыл бұрын

The only trans character I can think of who isn't depicted negatively in mainstream horror is Lambert in Alien. And that wasn't confirmed until Aliens. And that was only a background detail.

@arieldreemurr6284

4 жыл бұрын

@@ChicaneryBear Lambert is great, but there's so much loaded into Alien in regards to the symbolism of each death - and what happens to Lambert is probably the most screwed up thing in the entire film.

@WORMMOTHER666

4 жыл бұрын

Uh I mean it's more of a horror political thriller but there's a trans woman in assassination nation.

@derekgaines7679

4 жыл бұрын

Y'know I'd consider Angela the protagonist in these first two movies. Second she's murdering at first people who were in her eyes, corrupt. Just wanting a decent summer but the corrupt staff keeps screwing it up so they gotta go. Then she just says "Fuck it, let's mulligan this whole thing". Of course if you watch them out of order and don't know Angela is Trans it's a surprise when it comes up again but she's much more comfortable by then mentally and empowered.

@quint2568

4 жыл бұрын

@@ChicaneryBear the way it should be. A well written character doesnt have to have everything thrown in your face. Look at arrow and how well they did it

I think angela's character better represnts that of a trans masc experience than of a trans feminine. Angela is forced to present as female, she seems uncomfortable around women and in womens spaces, and she makes no female friends/ typically wants to be by herself or with ricky and paul. As a trans masculine person and my experiences with other trans masc people,i think the analogy really works from that angle. But thats just my thoughts, regardless i think its a great analogy for trans people in genral and i love your videos May!!

@blueoblivionx

2 жыл бұрын

I completely agree!

Who exactly gave May permission to produce such a banging theme song

@ChewbaccaOnDrugs1130

4 жыл бұрын

Satan

@SharkPalace

4 жыл бұрын

I can't find the name of her song do you know it ?

@Thomas_of_the_forest

4 жыл бұрын

@@SharkPalace it's her own music

@mystermistery

4 жыл бұрын

@@Thomas_of_the_forest Is it available on one of her albums? I've searched through and can't tell if I've just missed it or if it's not for release. I want it. I want it real bad.

@SharkPalace

4 жыл бұрын

@@Thomas_of_the_forest Yeah i know , but what's the name of the song x)

We must not forget about the sequels starring Bruce Springsteen’s actual sister as Angela

Best part of the movie is the song "angela's theme" it is so fucking catchy and sweet, actually working on a cover rn

god ive never identified with a video's thesis this much like i dont even have the words thank you counselor may

Honestly I just really love the kills in this movie, very creative and gruesome

I could see this movie actually being made for not terrible transphobic reasons. The actors who played the characters seem like nice people, and the sequels go more into how Angela fully transitioned after the first movie. Part of me might say it was probably for shock value that Angela was originally Peter, forced to transition by her weird Aunt, but at the same time, this movie still shows her in a more sympathetic light than most of the other characters in the movie, besides maybe her cousin and closest ally, Ricky.

@VelvetVexations

3 жыл бұрын

I meeeeean, I'm a trans girl myself but while stuff like this is certainly transphobic I think that given the time period it was made in it's a little weird to treat it's transphobic nature as clashing all that much with the people involved being generally good folk. It's not like a Founding Father raping slaves where something was always a clear hideous evil regardless of it's contemporary popularity, finding humor or shock in gender breaking is something I'm willing to give people a break for up until about the last couple of decades.

"Ladies and gentleman and those that are not: We have a queen." BTW: the most literal use of "Slay Queen" in history 😁

God, i haven't watched Nyx fears in so long. Just hearing her voice and seeing the intro immediately put me at ease.

Great video, as always! The most unforgivable thing from the movie to me is how it perpetuates the "forced to be trans by abusive figure" trope. It's one of the most harmful tropes in a cluster of harmful, dangerous tropes. For example, even Dark Souls 1 and 3 do this, with the implication that the trans character was forced to be. For as problematic as the movie is, I feel like I could still forgive it all if it wasn't for this most disgusting of tropes.

@ThirdEyeFilmz

4 жыл бұрын

Yea the most harmful thing about this trope is that cis people don’t understand dysphoria to begin with, then they’re told that someone can be forced to transition they think that is what dysphoria must be related to. It just confuses the audience.

@NamelessAidan

4 жыл бұрын

It's actually fascinating in a way because the only way some cis people can comprehend gender dysphoria is imagining a cis-gendered person being physically forced to transition to the opposite sex/gender, hence essentially giving the cis character gender dysphoria. If only they could take the extra step to understand that is how a trans person feels when they are physically or socially forced to present as their birth sex. I think that is why the first Sleepaway Camp reads as both transphobic and sympathetic from a trans perspective... in representing the perceived horror a cis person feels at the idea of gender transitioning, they accidentally stumble onto almost the exact experience of an actual trans person.

Angela is a total queen and so are you May ❤️

@CERTAIND00M

4 жыл бұрын

*hashtag realtalk*

I'm a transguy who cosplayed Angela and took a photo with Felissa Rose at a con because this movie had such a huge impact on me. It's so ridiculously cheesy and hilarious but somehow also the best horror movie about dysphoria. Angela's story fits so well as like a transman revenge fantasy because you can read the character as a man trapped in the body of a woman who deals with so much intense dysphoria that he loses it and goes on a murderous rampage haha. I'm so glad someone else thinks this is a punk rock transgender movie :P

So glad to have you back counselor May! I always miss you when you’re gone away for so long

I found this video very informational and the wife very beautiful

I remember back in the early 2000s growing up when I was in my middle school age I would always be left home alone to enjoy myself wether it be my video games or being online on KZread and the such but I would be home alone and I loved watching adult swim in the late night that still gave you a unique feeling and vibe when your home alone and in a spooky mood I remember being in love with the IFC channel from WKUK to Wilfred and there anime specials but there horror films and cult classic specials are what really set me in a mood like no other I remember being intrigued by sleepaway camp it's buildup and atmosphere was foreboding but the ending was so sudden for my mind as a child I was struck sith fear at the sight of Angela's still expression that I couldn't move even with my rooms lit up I was in shock but I loved the film and it grew with me anyway than you for the video Nyx I wish you the best in life and hope you take care

Honestly, I'm so happy that May likes this movie. I just saw it for the first time yesterday and I actually felt kind of guilty for liking it because the twist is so outdated. Seeing it in this perspective makes me feel kind of vindicated in a way for thinking it was a fun garbage movie.

Nyx I just want to say that your opening is, like, the best opening in all of youtube.

Oh man I watched Sleepaway Camp for a representation class and remember being super into it until it became "oops all transphobes" at the end. This def makes me wanna rewatch this

Loving the mandolin strumming in the intro and throughout the video! Thank you for addressing the fact that the art we experience in life shifts, changes, and evolves with the experiences we have with us. Fantastic lighting as well btw! 💜

The really funny thing is that I'm a trans man, and I've always read the movie as being about forcibly closeted. Peter is a boy, but his guardian treats him as a daughter, and dresses him in girly clothes, and calls him "Angela," and that really aligns with how I grew up. It's not a perfect reading, since in the fiction it's a cis boy and the transing of the gender is not his choice, so like, that sucks, but I vibe with it as a metaphor for being a guy and having everyone around you see you and treat you like a girl. So, there you go, there's another example of how context can change the meaning of a story!

I actually watched this before I realized I was bi and I haven't gone back and watched it in a different light. I still love this movie

Thanks for saving my lost old film. I like the new background.

I love your videos so much, you always manage to make me see films in a new way, while making me laugh my ass off at your sense of humor 🤣 my favorite KZread channel

I just came across this channel by a recommendation by a friend- and I’m loving it so far! You’re a really wonderful and cool person! I hope you have a great day!

From the perspective of a Gender Questioning individual: If ever there was a good answer For criticising and analysing “trash” on a deeper level, arguing beyond it’s intent and dissecting it layer by layer, Sleepaway Camp is it. On the one hand, the whole twist around Angela reads to me as a just that; a shocking swerve thrown in to make people go “gWUAH?!?!?!”. I feel that if the movie were written or directed or produced by froth-at-the-mouth trans hating nightmare people explicitly to be a really cry for like minded individuals, it’d be more overtly explicit- or, at the very least, would have Angela killing people that did absolutely nothing to her at all to make her appear entirely unreasonable. The presence of the “oh she was FORCED into it by her aunt so she’s just Coocoo for Coco Puffs actually” is still a big Collar Tug Moment™️ mind you regardless, but I feel that that- and indeed even the twist itself- is (and I ‘say’ this in the most sarcastic tone possible) “””A Product of a More Innocent Time”””. However on the other hand, the intent doesn’t really matter; because of the way the film is as a whole, it can be read in a multitude of ways from it being deeply, cruelly hateful to trans people or, as discussed, can be read as actually somewhat validating and supportive of the trans women experience. I personally argue that given that her victims are generally people that have actually wronged her- or were going to wrong her on no uncertain terms- and as Problematic™️ as her backstory is that it’s even there and presented as a freudian excuse, that ultimately the film wants to side with her. Or, at the very least, the film wants her to have layers and dimension beyond simply being the killer, or simply being “””a boy in disguise”””. But that’s just my read, innit. As other folks in here have mentioned, that Sleepaway Camp 2 and 3 bring the character back, centralise her and make her the protagonist (if a villainous one, which isn’t without its own dose of Yikes), and make her arguably even more likeable also makes them come across as more Pro Trans then probably intended, because Death of the Author and individualistic readings are a wild trip like that. Either way, We Have No Choice But To Stan.

For some reason this movie keeps reminding me of a Detective Conan episode (sorry for bringing up anime lol) There is a three part story about a series of murders centered around a pianist and the murderer leaves clues in rewrites of the Moonlight Sonata pieces. And it turns out SPOILER The son of the pianist is going on a revenge murder spree against those who either killed his dad or drove him to suicide. But then the detective finds out the son is hiding among them but is now a doctor lady. And I watched several translations but never figured out if the author says the woman just happens to be trans and used that to hide her heritage even better or if the son medically transitioned to hide who he is (which seems like a really long con and I don't believe) either way she plays a piano in a house on fire and when Conan tries to get her out she is like "nah I'm good all the assholes are dead" and throws the kid out of the window which was kinda badass. . ...I might have problems lol. Love you May. -a fellow trans

I just watched it after watching this and omg she's a queen in my opinion. Her dead stare whenever she got picked on was QUEEN SHIT.

she’s so slay i can’t help it

Sleepaway Camp seems to intentionally set your expectations so low because then THAT ENDING comes and leaves you feeling like you just finished a masterpeice.

GOD DAMMIT NYX! Look, I'm a cys white dude, but I went through my early twenties playing music, going to weird performance art events, hanging out in galleries drinking free wine, and just generally getting to know a hugely diverse cast of people and finding value in all of them. Life did its thing and now I'm stuck in a suburban hellhole in which people think masks are taking away their freedom rather than just being an awesome way to accessorize and as long as they don't SAY they're a bigot, they must not be one. Le siiiiigh... you can ignore all of that. I think I just needed to vent, and your videos remind me of less frustrating, more interesting times.

yesss May, this is so great and you articulated my feelings about it way better than i could 💖 i had all the same thoughts when i rewatched it recently!!

The first movie where a gay dad has two kids? That was fairly progressive for 1983. It's not played as a joke either. There's a flashback where Angela and her brother Peter see the dad and bf making love and giggle. But that was just adolescence seeing something they never seen. Just a positive aspect that I noticed in the movie.

everyone else remembers this movie for the ending. i remember it for "eat shit and live"

Great Video!!! The reason I like this movie and your channel are because they're so damn unique and stand out with interesting and nuanced takes on movies and horror that others don't have

"she just fucking murders them and you're like "wow! Cool!"

Great content as always. I'm a new sub & just wanted to say thanks for putting me onto so many new movies & for being a star while doing it. I'm also a mandolin player so this made smile

I watched Sleepaway Camp 2 last night, and it was confirmed that Artie the perverted cook did die from his injuries.

How can anyone see Angela as the villain?

Awh, it's felt like a while since one of your videos! Not even a minute in, and I'm already delighted to see a new video!

This was the prompt I needed to watch this movie at last and 1) it was filmed near where I grew up 2) Judy with her long hair and a shirt that says "Judy" is everything

May where can i buy ur opening theme I've bought ur discography but haven't seen this :,(

I randomly stumbled across this once on tv when i was maybe middle school age, and i was rooting for her the whole time lol this was a trip i totallly forgot about it

The bit about acid at the end had me cracking up. Thank you May!

This was just randomly recommended to me and I knew I recognized your name from somewhere. I totally remember your videos from before you transitioned. Just wanted to say I’m really happy for you and I’m glad I found your videos again! Much love!

10:23 That guy's clearly fake moustache is the real horror.

@anonymoususer7194

4 жыл бұрын

😂👌

I think the main horror of the movie is intended to be the psychological torture and strain that caused Angela to be driven to murder in the first place. The Aunt is a classic case of an adult moulding a child to fit their ideals, just as many female children may be brought up by their Fathers to exhibit more atypical "Male" behaviours because they really wanted a son and not a daughter, and vice versa. That psychological trauma is the true horror of the film, in my opinion, particularly as it is inflicted upon an innocent child. That being said, your analysis let me see Angela's revenge from a whole new perspective and I love it!

I am so ready for the reclamation of Angela! also I wish shudder or similar horror entity would sponsor you, your content is and always has been fantastically entertaining and often informative

oh the smile on my face when i saw you had uploaded , great to see you back :)

I've never actually watched this movie but I've seen lots of people talk about it, and honestly Angela speaks to me in an asexual sorta way. Like she's in a sex obsessed environment, it's all anyone wants to talk about and she simply isn't interested/is uncomfortable with the topic so she simply doesn't interact with it, and somehow that means that there's something wrong with her in their eyes. Like they make tons of assumptions like oh, if she doesn't like the boys she must be gay, she doesn't show interest in the girls and doesn't shower with them so she must find herself ugly somehow, etc. Her attempts at genuine connections with the boys are interrupted by their intense want to have sex with her even though she is CLEARLY not interested, like...I feel seen. Again, I have yet to actually watch this movie but I feel ace solidarity with Angela based off my basic knowledge of the movie lol.

I have watched the sleep away camp and the series long before the 2000s. Great movies and I’m glad you’re bring them too light. 👍🏽 good job, you’re doing great!

This was a super cool take on the film I'd never considered. Can we get a reboot that's just "trans-protagonist murdering creeps and transphobes" for 2 hours?

the fact that they clearly reshot a big part of the movie and one character had shaved his moustache off so they just taped one over with electrical tape just adds to the ambiance y'know

Then Sleepaway Camp II just sweeps everything under the rug with some clunky campfire exposition...

I got the notif for this video while I was watching Sleepaway Camp omg. Great commentary on one of my absolute favorite horror movies. Thanks goth mom 🖤🖤🖤

@SpellboundWolf

4 жыл бұрын

Whoa, dude. That's an awesome coincidence!

@sophiarose656

4 жыл бұрын

@@SpellboundWolf I know right?? I was so excited to see the notif holy shit

i just watched sleepaway camp so i could watch this vid (plus there was like 3 synchronicities involving it too) and i loved your take on it. i enjoyed it the whole time but was bummed about the ending but you this vid made me feel really positive about it and i think its a new fav of mine thank u so much may

@lindinle

4 жыл бұрын

bummed about the ending?

This is one of my favorite movies and I clicked right away when I saw you had made a video about it!!! Your analysis really nails the feeling of the film. The whole time I was team Angela #girlboss bc everybody she kills is asking for it

Sleepaway Camp 2 was accidentally my first horror movie because I woke up to it during a starz free trial when I was 6 at 2 AM and I thought it was a fever dream. Same thing happen with Eyes Wide Shut

I love Angela and I always feel so bad for her whenever I watch the movie, thank you for creating this May.

Glad to see you back!

The most scariest part was he was all naked and making that horrifying sound like geez

I absolutely love this movie! And I absolutely love you and your content!!! Thanks for being awesome! 💕

This is one of my fav vids of yours. Not sure why.

New May content! Well, my day just got a whole lot better!

your videos are getting me through my pneumonia. love you May 💜

Far and away my favorite reading of Sleepaway Camp ever. Awesome video.

As a trans person, I hate how scary the reveal shot actually is. Her face gives me chills and the way she stands completely still really bothers me. Of course, it's bad that she is a trans girl played by a cis girl, but I think it can help cement the idea that trans people dont always "look trans"

@WORMMOTHER666

4 жыл бұрын

Ugh it's a chilling scene and all the abuse she went though from her mom sucks too

@OddoFelacio

4 жыл бұрын

I think she looks like Jim Carry with the open mouth smile thing, too goofy to be horror

@fuccwit9098

4 жыл бұрын

I think it’s the face expression/posture combined with that weird ass breathing noise freaks me the fuck out

Great stuff as always. Thanks May!

really can't thank you enough for this rec and your super valid analysis! also shoutout to the props people for this movie who decided that all the corpses should look exactly the same despite being killed by boiling water, drowning, and bees respectively.

While i do see angela as an odd. Confused trans narrative. I don’t see her as a transitioned trans woman as such. I see her as someone who is severely dysphoric. Forced into the wrong gender role and now contending with emerging sexuality that with all things considered drove her over the edge and with all that trauma just ended up turning her into a slasher villain. I am trans myself though and i do think mays view of it is very interesting. Also wasn’t Angela’s father gay? It’s been some time since I’ve seen the movie but i recall hearing that Angela and peter’s Dad was Gay and had either a boyfriend or a lover. Which would have coded “peter” to be confused to a 1980’s audience.

@giovannialvarez9289

4 жыл бұрын

Yeah Angela's dad was gay. You see him in bed with ether his boyfriend or hook up and his children watching them.

@dnddmdb642

4 жыл бұрын

I agree! I think it's strange to call "Angela" trans when they were forced to present as female against their will. Although I do think that almost makes it more of a movie about the trans experience? Being forced to present as a gender you don't actually identify with. Idk, the movie is pretty confused thematically.

Love your videos! Thank you for wonderful content! Stay safe and strong :)

Omg where have you been?..regardless happy for the upload! 😊

Your videos are so good

This is a blessed video thank u queen