Random Acts of Violence: Worth a Watch?

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Stand-up comedian Jay Baruchel has decided to take a stab at the meta-slasher, promising to probe into the twisted hearts of horror fans and their insatiable longings for on-screen blood and guts. Is it time to re-examine our life choices? More importantly, is Random Acts of Violence worth a watch?

In a nutshell: Todd (Jesse Williams) is working on the final issue of his successful Slasherman graphic novel series -  controversially based on the real life I-95 killer, who was never caught. Deciding to take a road trip with some friends to get the creative juices flowing, Todd realises a crazed fan is re-enacting the kills from his comic books.

This article is a spoiler-free zone.

Random Acts of Violence's hits 


  • Some of the social commentary is pretty spot-on – I particularly enjoyed a scene at a horror convention where Todd is asked to sign weapons and miniature replicas of torture vans. As in most of the famous slasher franchises, Todd’s fans very much see the murderous Slasherman as the hero of the story.
  • As well as the plot basically being the same as Tenebrae, the heavy use of primary colours and surreal lighting is peak Argento. It’s been a while since we had a neon-coloured horror flick, but fans of the subgenre will be pleased to know the visual style is still alive and kicking.
  • The characterisation is generally good, as long as you have a high tolerance for vaguely neurotic millennials. Jesse Williams does a very good horrified expression.

 Random Acts of Violence's misses


  • The movie is incredibly po-faced. Whereas most meta-horrors have a sense of fun, Random Acts of Violence most certainly does not. Films like Ruin Me appreciate the difference between over-the-top on-screen violence and real-life brutality, but this film doesn’t make that distinction. The implication that fictional violence inspires real-life violence was something I thought we’d binned following the bizarre mass panic over Joker. Also are we taking aim at horror or true crime fans here?
  • The pacing is somewhat plodding. Though the movie has some great sequences, there isn’t really any escalation in tension.
  • A lot of the fun of watching slashers comes from seeing ridiculous kills and impressive practical effects. Not so here. Most of the kills happen offscreen, though there is a liberal smattering of gore.
Random Acts of Violence is available to stream on Shudder.

Still looking for something to watch? Why not check out more of the Worth a Watch? series.

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