Blu-ray Review: FENDER BENDER Cruises '80s Slasher Roads Smoothly
Fender Bender is written and directed by Mark Pavia, whose last film was the 1997 Stephen King adaptation of The Night Flier. The film follows Hilary (Makenzie Vega) is just an average high-school cheerleader who wants to get good grades and do right by her strict parents, but she's about to have the worst day of her life. She's discovered that her jock boyfriend is fooling around on her with another cheerleader and then he sees that she's caught them and confronts her. Thankfully, she breaks up with him and drives away.
Sitting at a stop sign distraught, she is texting when she gets rear ended by a man who's got an odd affect about him (the terrific Bill Sage). They exchange information and Hilary is smart enough to take photos of the damage to her mom's new car --- as well as the seemingly bloody front fender on the creepy guy's muscle car.
We already know from a prologue of sorts involving another victim of a car accident that something bad is going to happen with this shady guy --- but what?
Back at home, HiIary is punished by her parents for getting into the accident even though it wasn't her fault. But sometimes, parents make terrible decisions, such as the one to leave her behind as they go away fro the weekend. This leaves Hilary alone in the house and vulnerable to her crappy, drunk ex.
However, she's relieved when two friends come over --- even if they make the poor choice to try to scare her. Soon they're eating pizza and a cake emblazoned with the word "SORRY" written on it. Another poor choice. What ensues is your typical cat-and-mouse slasher game, but Fender Bender is done well. The mask Sage wears and the knife he uses is reminiscent of the fierce Nazi villain Karl Ruprecht Kroenen in Guillermo del Toro's 2004 Hellboy. The score by Nightrunner is a great addition to the 1980s flavor with its brooding synth notes, and the film is shot and edited well --- Fender Bender is a fun flick that most horror lovers will eat up.
The special feature include informational behind-the-scenes interviews with Pavia, Sage, and Vega; a fun collection of '80s slasher trailers; a "Retro VHS” cut of the film --- complete with a late-night cable TV introduction; and more.
Fender Bender is a co-production between Shout! Factory and ChillerTV. It's out on blu-ray and DVD starting Tuesday, October 4.
Check out the trailer below. Curious? Learn more about the film here and order the film directly from Scream Factory here.
Bonus Features
- “Retro VHS” Version of the film – watch the film in a re-created mode that takes you back to the 1980s and the heyday of VCRs.
- “Slashback” Trailer Reel – A collection of vintage Scream Factory-branded slasher previews.
- Director’s Commentary
- Producer’s Commentary
- Behind-The-Scenes Featurette
- Original Trailer and TV Spot
